Recent Fine Jewelry #Auction at Bonham's Brings in Over $4 million....

Bonham's Shares A Few Of Their Favorite Things From the Fine Jewelry Auction

According to Bonham's, there was intense online bidding and a quick competitive telephone bidding throughout the afternoon, bringing the Fine Jewelry auction at Bonhams New York to a triumphant close, with sales totaling over $4 million.

Colored gems, classic designs, and signature pieces performed fantastically, and Susan Abeles, Vice President and Director of the Jewelry at Bonhams North America, said: 'Contemporary signed jewels continue to thrive in the auction environment. The sale was dominated by colorful pieces which were well received by an international audience.'


Notable highlights of the afternoon include:

✦  An exquisite diamond ring by Cartier, weighing 8.45 carats, which realized $293,000.

✦ Kashmir sapphire & diamond ring, made $118,750, almost twice the high estimate.

✦  A late Art Deco ruby and diamond bracelet (c. 1935), with a total diamond weight of 

                                               14.00 carats, which sold for $106,250.

  ✦   Sapphire (3.20 ct) and Old European Diamonds (6.85 ctw) brooch with a combined 
           weight of 10.05 carats, which realized $112,500: 9 times the high estimate. 

✦ Renaissance Revival suite of sapphire, demantoid garnet and enamel jewelry (c. 1920),   fashioned by Louis Comfort Tiffany, soared past its high estimate making $161,000.

✦   Colombian emerald cabochon ring weighing approximately 50 carats, surrounded by 
      diamonds. It achieved $106,250, over 3 times the high estimate.

✦  A pair of natural button pearl diamond ear studs, each over 10mm,  mounted in 18k white gold.  Accompanied by GIA report #5161602019, dated October 8, 2014, stating: "the pearls are of natural origin, saltwater, no indications of treatment."   Achieved  $45,000

Earlier in December.... there seemed to be a resurgence of ruby-adorned jewelry at the London auction...a fact quickly confirmed with the crazy results from a pair of Art Deco, ruby and diamond clip brooches made by Cartier around 1930. They achieved an astonishing £482,500 after pre-sale estimates of £80,000-120,00 - followed by two ruby rings which far exceeded their pre-sale estimates.

First, a single-stone ring set with a large Burmese ruby, fashioned by the renowned jewelers Van Cleef & Arples in 1923, rose past the estimate of £80,000-100,000 to make $548,163. 

Burmese ruby, in a setting made around 1930, and set with a cushion-cut stone weighing over 6 carats, fetched $548,462  after it was set to achieve £50,000-80,000.

As if the bidders needed more convincing, a beautiful belle époque ruby and diamond necklace made more than twice its top estimate, selling for $191,688, while another pair of Art Deco, ruby and diamond pendent earrings by Cartier more than doubled their lower estimate to achieve £72,100.

It was not all rubies, however, as sapphires also performed strongly, with a Cartier Art Deco sapphire and diamond ring making $323, 131, and an octagonal-cut sapphire and diamond ring realizing £146,500, twice its estimate.

Jean Ghika, Head of Jewelry UK and Europe, said: 'We achieved some outstanding results in the sale, particularly for period jewels and colored gem stones. The collection of Burmese rubies performed exceptionally well, proving that these rare gems continue to have an enduring appeal.'

It was a very busy December for Bonhams and the next Fine Jewelry sale in New York will be April 2015, and a selection of jewelry from the estate of Lauren Bacall will be offered as part of The Lauren Bacall Collection on March 31 and April 1 2015.

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to  www.bonhams.com

Retro & Signed Pieces Highlight Bonham's Fall Salon Jewelry Auction

Bonhams is pleased to announce its quarterly Salon Jewelry & Watches auction on September 24 in Los Angeles, simulcast to San Francisco. The sale features an impressive selection of retro and vintage bracelets, necklaces, accessories and brooches as well as a strong selection of signed pieces by noted makers. 

Michael Larsen, Jewelry Specialist at Bonhams, says of the auction, "Recent years have proven to be the strongest in history for jewelry auctions. We are excited to begin the fall with an homage to retro and vintage inspired pieces from the mid-century and continue into the winter with cutting edge works in our Fine Jewelry sales in New York and Hong Kong."

Highlighting the September 24 auction is a strong selection of vintage brooches from the mid-century to the 1980s. Star lots include a fanciful diamond seahorse brooch that boasts a playful emerald eye (est. $5,000-7,000); an 18 karat yellow gold, onyx and citrine owl by Cartier (est. $2,000-3,000) and a retro yellow gold, diamond and tourmaline scroll clip (est. $2,000-3,000).

Additional retro pieces of note include a stylish 14 karat gold and yellow enamel compact (est. $2,500-3,000) and a stunning green tourmaline and 14 karat gold buckle bracelet, signed Lotus (est. $1,200-1,800), among others.

The illustrated auction catalog for the sale will be available online for review and purchase in the weeks preceding the sale at www.bonhams.com

San Francisco Preview: September 14-16

Los Angeles Preview: September 21-23

Auction: September 24, Los Angeles, simulcast to San Francisco

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. 

Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. 

Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and appraisal services in 60 specialist areas. 

For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go towww.bonhams.com

Fred Leighton Jewels Shine at the 2011 Emmy Awards

There is no denying that Vintage is HOT!!!  Fred Leighton jewels adorned several stars...from Edwardian pieces with Old Mine Cut Diamonds, Art Deco looks in carved Jade and more Modern looks from the 50's and 70's.

Details of the Fred Leighton jewelry worn at the 2011 Emmy Awards by:

Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood                 

A diamond bow cuff by Fred Leighton, in silver on gold

19^th Century diamond pendant earrings

A 19th Century emerald and blue enamel ring with diamonds, in silver on gold

Edie Falco                              

19^th Century diamond pendant earrings, silver on gold

19^th Century diamond starburst cluster bracelet, silver on gold

Dianna Agron

Dianna Agron                         

19th Century diamond and gold filigree pendant earrings

19th Century diamond bracelet, in silver on gold

19th Century diamond and blue enamel ring, in silver on gold

Kristen Wiig

Kristen Wiig                            

19^th Century gold pendant earrings

1940’s gold link bracelet

19th Century diamond bangle, in silver on gold

1970’s diamond and gold bangle bracelet

1940's gold ring

Martha Plimpton

Martha Plimpton                     

19th century diamond  fringe earrings, in silver on gold

19th Century rose-cut diamond ring, in silver on gold

Mary Murphy                           

Edwardian diamond pendant necklace, in platinum

5.00 carat cushion-cut diamond pendant earrings

Edwardian old-mine diamond openwork bracelet, in platinum

1920’s diamond bracelet, in platinum

1920’s Old- European diamond ring, in platinum

Christine Baranski

Christine Baranski                  

1950’s diamond swirl earrings, in platinum

1930’s sapphire and diamond barrel link bracelet, in platinum

1930’s sapphire and diamond link bracelet, in platinum

1930’s diamond disc ring, in platinum

Taraji P. Henson

 

Taraji P. Henson                     

A 1960’s rock crystal and diamond dome ring, in platinum 

Art Deco diamond pendant earrings, in platinum 

Amanda Peet                          

19^th Century diamond pendant earrings, in silver on gold

19th Century natural pearl and diamond bangle, in silver on gold

19^th Century diamond row bracelet, in silver on gold

Gretchen Mol

Gretchen Mol                          

Art Deco carved jade, onyx, and diamond pendant earrings, in platinum

1920’s diamond link bracelet, in platinum

1920’s diamond link bracelet, in platinum

Art Deco carved jade, black enamel, and diamond bracelet in platinum

12.90 carat cushion-cut diamond ring, in platinum

A 1940's gold and alligator evening bag               

Collectible Frank Patania Silver - New Pieces Available!

Recently, Arizona Jeweler, Sam Patania, sent a notice to friends and collectors of Frank Patania Sr.'s Silverwork:


"I have received a 9 piece collection of jewelry given by my grandfather, Frank Patania Sr., to his sister when he would take trips back to New York City from Santa Fe, NM  to visit his family. Three of the pieces, a bracelet in sterling and coral, a necklace in sterling and coral and a pin in sterling and turquoise have my grandfather's personal hallmark. The others have combinations of the hallmarks used by the craftsmen in Frank's studio. These pieces will be provided with written provenance for collectors.

This is a once in a life time opportunity to own vintage Patania jewelry with clear provenance, given with love by Frank Patania Sr. himself, to his sister from the 1930's to the 1950's.

Photographs, written descriptions and pricing provided by request."

Contact Info at the bottom of this article...

Frank Patania, Sr. is the first generation Jeweler in a Family Dynasty that runs Three Generations - Sam is the current generation of a family whose work is installed in the Smithsonian.  

For those who may not be familiar with the Patania name, a bit to whet your curiousity:

Frank Patania, Sr.

Three generations of Patania men have been working for over 70 years, creating jewelry and decorative objects that have come to be known for their excellence in craftsmanship and design. In October 2000, Kenneth Trapp, co-curator of the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery, took possession of three Patania bracelets to be placed in the museum's permanent jewelry collection.

Frank Patania, Jr.

The renowned Renwick Gallery's acknowledgment of the family's work came as no surprise to those who were already admirers, clients, and collectors of Patania pieces, but the move did confirm the family's important role in 20th century jewelry.

Sam Patania 

Trapp himself perhaps said it best, in talking to the Arizona Daily Star, October 25, 2000 about the acquired Patania bracelets: "I really feel that these three pieces represent the very best of craftspeople and designers. What interests me is the quality of design-they're absolutely stunning." 


From Patania: 70 years of Excellence  by Shari Watson Miller 

For more info click thru - the Miller article is accompanied by dramatic photos of truly stunning jewelry that is a piece of our history!

Frank, Sr. was an Italian immigrant whose work was dramatically and forever changed with his introduction to SouthWest style of Native American silversmiths in the 1920's.  The result of the marriage of the two styles became known as the Patania Thunderbird Style.

The significance of these new pieces is HUGE - the provenance couldn't get any better.  Being a gift to his own sister.  Inquiries, prices and information will be provided on request.

Sam Patania can be reached through his website at:

http://patanias.com/home.html

Additional information and resources:

Shari Miller's complete article: http://www.modernsilver.com/patania.htm

Bahti Indian Arts: http://www.bahti.com/

I hope you enjoy clicking through these resources and learning about the talent of the Patania Jewelers. You will find a style that works for you - whether you are drawn to the Southwest style of Frank, Sr; the clean modernist work of Frank, Jr or the still emerging style of Sam Patania, the current standard bearer of the family!

Tent Not Necessary! Jewelry Camp at F.I.T.!!

Lots of fun and networking will be mixed with an educational opportunity for appraisers and jewelers, from the Welcome Dinner sponsored by Bonham & Butterfields to a star studded list of Lectures and Seminars...to include:

Harrice Miller - Internationally Recognized Author & Jewelry Historian

Michael S. Coan, G.G. - Chair of Jewelry Design at FIT

Michael Burstein - VP of NY Flagship Salon for Harry Winston

Reema Keswani - Founder, Golconda Jewelry

and President of the American Society of Jewelry Historians

...but it's not all about history - this year Cindy Edelstein of JRB

shows you how to bring Estate pieces to the public using Modern Methods.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from @JewelryBizGuru Jan 23rd!

How to Grow Your Business & Connections Using Social Media
Everyone is twittering but how do you make sure you don't sound like a twit?

They're all on Facebook but who should you friend? And "like"?

And more importantly, who will friend you? And why?

From Sandy Lewand for Jewelry Camp, an institution for almost 35 years, offers education to jewelry enthusiasts on estate and antique jewelry as well as classes on new and current styles.
This special one day program will bring together noted speakers lecturing on topics such as the firms of Harry Winston and Van Cleef & Arpels as well as subjects pertaining to the history of fine and costume jewelry.
The estate and antique markets are the new trends in the industry. Knowledge of these periods will serve as a springboard to attract new clients. In these uncertain times, jewelry, whether it is antique and estate or current designs, is not only a an alternative to traditional investments but the older pieces are also a remembrance of times gone by and the superb workmanship of artisans who labored to make jewelry. Many of these jewels are available at reasonable prices.
Jewelry Camp offers not only information about periods and designers but it is also a time for networking. There will be instructors who will teach how to identify, price and market jewelry as well as classes for the beginner to the advanced student.
The new one day program at FIT is the beginning of our effort to provide educational information to the trade and public so as to promote this trend in the industry. There will be other one day programs featured in cities around the country.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE http://www.jewelrycamp.org
VISIT OUR BLOG http://www.jewelrycamp.blogspot.com