Skinner's Fine Jewelry Auction

Skinner's Fine Jewelry Auction

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Skinner, Inc. will host an auction of Fine Jewelry in its Boston gallery on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. The sale will feature over 550 lots of antique and period jewelry, as well as contemporary jewelry by Tiffany, Cartier, David Webb, and others.

Timepieces

Lot 553 - Fine Edwardian Carved Agate and Enamel Pendulette, Cartier, Paris , Estimate $15,000-$20,000

The cover lot is an early 20th century fine Edwardian carved agate and enamel pendulette by Cartier (lot 553, estimated between $15,000 and $20,000). This stunning piece features a rotating ball dial with Roman numeral hour indicators and a rose-cut diamond star to indicate the time, set atop the “Three Wise Monkeys,” two with rose-cut diamond eyes. Purchased at Cartier, Paris by Mrs. Charles B. Alexander, the piece descended to her daughter Mary Alexander Whitehouse and then to her daughter, the consignor. The Alexander mansion was located at four West 58th Street, New York, and was one of the most lavish homes of the Gilded Age.

Notable watch lots include a Cartier 18kt rose gold and diamond “Tonneau” wristwatch (lot 244, $8,000 to $10,000), an 18kt gold “Ellipse” wristwatch by Patek Philippe (lot 243, $3,000 to $5,000), and an 18kt gold open face chronograph split second stop watch by J.W. Benson (lot 241, $2,000 to $3,000).

Diamonds

The auction will offer an assortment of diamonds including a platinum and diamond solitaireweighing 6.04 cts. (lot 473, $45,000 to $55,000), an Art Deco platinum and diamond twin-stone ring (lot 546, $25,000 to $35,000), and a platinum and diamond brooch by Cartier (lot 475, $50,000 to $60,000).

Natural Pearls

Lot 535 - Natural Pearl Necklace Estimate $30,000-$40,000

Natural pearls make an impressive appearance. The March auction features excellent examples including a necklace composed of sixty-two pearls (lot 535, $30,000 to $40,000), a natural pearl necklacecomposed of eighty-three variously shaped and colored natural pearls (lot 545, $15,000 to $20,000), and a platinum, gray natural pearl and diamond pendant (lot 544, $20,000 to $30,000).

Artist Jewelry

Unique pieces by artist Robert Lee Morris will be featured including an oxidized copper and brass necklace and bangle (lot 106, $600 to $800) designed as a fringe of pierced disks, together with a bombé-form bangle. An 18kt gold necklace composed of thirty-five disks by Robert Lee Morris (lot 101, $5,500 to $6,500) is also up for bid, as well as a collection of works by Art Smith (lots 114 to 119).

Signed Jewelry

Well-known for bringing signed jewelry to auction, Skinner continues to satisfy the demand for unusual and signed works. A group of David Webb pieces from a prominent New York family includes a signed, platinum, 18kt gold, enamel and diamond brooch, (lot 466, $8,000 to $10,000); a signed platinum, rock crystal, and diamond bracelet (lot 469, $5,000 to $7,000); a pair of 18kt white gold, carved rock crystal and diamond earpendants (lot 470, $7,000 to $9,000); and a pair of platinum, south sea pearl and diamond earclips (lot 472, $12,000 to $15,000).

An Art Deco black opal, sapphire, and diamond ring by Tiffany & Co. (lot 551, $3,000 to $5,000) and an Art Deco enamel, diamond, and gem-set lorgnette by Boucheron (lot 550, $8,000 to $12,000) round out the eclectic and stylish signed offerings.

Previews, Catalog, and Bidding

Previews for the auction will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2013, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. and Monday, March 11, 2013, 12 p.m.-7 p.m.

An illustrated catalog for #2641B is available by mail from the subscription department at 508-970-3240. It is also available at the gallery.

The Skinner website allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogs, and bid live in real-time through SkinnerLive!. 

Visit and “like” Skinner on Facebook at  http://www.facebook.com/skinnerauctions.

About Skinner

Skinner auctions draw international interest from buyers and consignors alike, with material regularly achieving record prices. The company’s auction and appraisal services focus on fine art, jewelry, furniture, and decorative arts from around the globe, as well as wine, fine musical instruments, rare books, clocks, Judaica, and more. Monthly Skinner Discovery auctions feature a breadth of estate material. Widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the business, Skinner appraisers have appeared on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, since the show’s inception. Skinner has galleries in Boston and Marlborough, Massachusetts with an international audience of bidders participating in person, by phone, and online through the SkinnerLive! online bidding platform. For more information and to read our blog, visit the website atwww.skinnerinc.com, find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/skinnerauctions , or follow us on Twitter @Skinnerinc.