There are many spectacular Royal and Noble Jewels on Auction this month, with a spectacular Tiara and a Bracelet given by Empress Eugenie among several antique Jewels on Auction at the Christie’s ‘Magnificent Jewels’ Sale in New York City today!
Diamond Jewelry
Estimate: USD 25,000 – USD 35,000
Mica: The Collection Of Mica Ertegun
A set of Diamond Jewelry, comprising a necklace and pendant brooch, round, oval and pear-shaped rose-cut diamonds, silver-topped gold, late 19th century with later modifications, necklace is detachable and may be worn as two bracelets.
Cartier Art Deco Diamond Bracelet
Estimate: USD 100,000 – USD 150,000
A Cartier Art Deco Diamond Bracelet with old and rose-cut diamonds, platinum (French marks), black fabric cord, circa 1920, signed Cartier, Paris Londres New York.
Antique Diamond Brooch
Estimate: USD 15,000 – USD 20,000
An Antique Diamond Brooch with variously-shaped old-cut diamonds, silver-topped gold and gold, circa 1860 with possible later modifications, in a brown S.J. Phillips case.
Antique Diamond Necklace
Estimate: USD 60,000 – USD 80,000
An Eye for Beauty: Rare Jewels from a Distinguished Private Collection
An Antique Diamond Necklace with variously-shaped rose-cut diamonds, silver, circa 1800, red fitted case.
Sapphire and Diamond Bangle Bracelet
Estimate: USD 100,000 – USD 150,000
Given by Empress Eugenie of the French
A Historic Antique Sapphire and Diamond Bangle Bracelet, with an oval mixed-cut sapphire, old-cut diamonds, 18k yellow gold (French marks), circa 1870, interior engraved 8 Septembre 1870, given by Empress Eugenie of the French.
The sapphire and diamond bangle bracelet, formerly from the collection of Dr. Thomas W. Evans (Lot 37), is steeped in European royal history and is as wearable as when it was first gifted from Empress Eugenie over 150 years ago.
An exceptionally rare surviving piece of history, this superb sapphire and diamond bangle bracelet is steeped in history. Originally consigned to Christie’s in 1983 from the Thomas W. Evans Collection from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, the story behind this piece is as sensational as the jewel itself. Dr. Thomas Wiltberger Evans (1823-1897) was a celebrated American dentist, known to have performed procedures on many important heads of state, including Napoleon III.
On September 4, 1870, Dr. Evans began what would be an uncomfortable four day journey devoted to helping the Empress Eugenie flee France and reunite her with her son after Napoleon III was overthrown. As a thank you, the Empress sent Mrs. Evans an emerald and diamond bangle-bracelet on the first anniversary of these events to express her gratitude for Dr. Evans’ bravery in helping her escape, which is recorded in the Evans papers at the University of Pennsylvania.
The date engraved on this bangle “8 Septembre 1870”, recorded as the date the Empress was reunited with her son, is almost certainly the first of the two bracelets given by Eugenie to Dr. Evans as a token of her immense appreciation in helping save her life. Christie’s is honored to be presenting this historic jewel for the second time at auction.
Antique Ruby and Diamond Necklace-Tiara
Estimate: USD 100,000 – USD 150,000
An Eye for Beauty: Rare Jewels from a Distinguished Private Collection
An Antique Ruby and Diamond Necklace-Tiara, with cushion mixed-cut rubies, old, rose and single-cut diamonds, silver-topped gold, circa 1880, accompanied by a tiara fitting.
A second exquisite necklace, set with beautiful Burmese rubies and old-cut diamonds, dates from the Victorian period and may also be adapted to be worn as a tiara, a common and useful practice among the greatest jewels of the 19th century.
PROVENANCE
Mrs. James H. Van Alen (1912 – 2002)
Sotheby’s, New York, 16 October 2002, Sale N07827, Lot 146
Antique Diamond Flower Necklace
Estimate: USD 30,000 – USD 50,000
An Antique Diamond Flower Necklace with ld and rose-cut diamonds, silver (French marks) and rose gold, late 19th century, pendants detachable.
Antique Diamond Flower Brooch
Estimate: USD 30,000 – USD 50,000
An Antique Diamond Flower Brooch, with variously-shaped old-cut diamonds, silver, circa 1770, sold at Christie’s, London, 13 June 2007.
Antique Diamond Crescent Brooch
Estimate: USD 40,000 – USD 60,000
An Antique Diamond Crescent Brooch, with old and rose-cut diamonds, silver and gold, circa 1910.
Antique Diamond Rivière Necklace
Estimate: USD 70,000 – USD 100,000
An Antique Diamond Rivière Necklace, with variously-shaped rose-cut diamonds, silver and gold, circa 1850, portions of necklace near clasp of later addition, circa late 19th century.
A time capsule of superb examples from three centuries of jewelry design, the collection includes a remarkable diamond necklace with rose-cut diamond swags dating from the early 1800s, an all too rare survivor and one of the finest examples ever to come to market (Lot 35).
Antique Diamond Necklace
Estimate: USD 150,000 – USD 250,000
An Antique Diamond Necklace, with old, round and rose-cut diamonds, platinum (French mark, partially indistinct), circa 1910, gray P.G. Dodd & Son fitted case.
Assyrian Revival Bracelet
Estimate: USD 100,000 – USD 150,000
An Antique Multi-Gem and Synthetic Gemstone Assyrian Revival Bracelet, designed as a series of ancient Assyrian reliefs depicting a carriage scene, elephants and female figures, variously-shaped coral, bone, turquoise, synthetic sapphires, synthetic rubies, green, brown and red gemstones, single and old-cut diamonds, yellow gold and white metal, circa late 19th century, few gemstones deficient, accompanied by a brooch that was previously a panel of the bracelet.
Exquisite Diamond Bracelet
Estimate: USD 300,000 – USD 500,000
An Exquisite Diamond Bracelet, with a cushion brilliant-cut diamond of 11.12 carats, old-cut diamonds, silver-topped gold portions, late 19th century and later.
Boucheron Art Deco Diamond Brooch
Estimate: USD 10,000 – USD 15,000
A Boucheron Art Deco Rock Crystal, Green Tourmaline and Diamond Brooch, with carved rock crystal, old-cut tourmaline, old and single-cut diamonds, platinum and 18k white gold (French marks), circa 1935, signed Boucheron Paris.
Subject to the changing whims of fashion, antique jewels seldomly survive in their original form. The vast majority have been lost to time, having been disassembled, reworked and remade by those who have had the privilege of owning them. Therefore, it is a truly special occasion when a collection of antique jewelry from one owner appears at auction, particularly one of exceptional caliber. An Eye for Beauty: Rare Jewels from a Distinguished Private Collection represents one collector’s passion to acquire the finest examples of jewelry from the 18th century to the early 20th century. In addition to the rarity of the jewels themselves, the condition of each individual piece is exceptional. Furthermore, many of the jewels are also accompanied by their original or early retailer cases, making them all the more noteworthy.
Christie’s is honored to present this exceptional assemblage across our December Magnificent Jewels and Jewels Online sales, creating a truly rare opportunity to acquire some of the finest examples of 18th, 19th, and 20th century jewelry design.
