CHRISTIE'S WINTER JEWELS
IN NEW YORK, DECEMBER 2015
• MAGNIFICENT JEWELS: THE AUCTION, DECEMBER 10
•RARE AND UNIQUE JEWELS FROM THE ESTATE OF CARROLL PETRIE
• CHRISTIE’S ONLINE JEWELS BOUTIQUE, DECEMBER 11-21
Christie’s schedule of Winter Jewelry sales in New York, started out with a BANG with the live saleroom auction of Magnificent Jewels December 10th, that included the introduction of a companion online boutique of Holiday Jewels from December 11 – 21. Offering a multitude of outstanding jewels at every price level, including fancy colored and colorless diamonds, rare gemstones, natural pearls, and signed creations from the most coveted jewelry houses.
THE SALES TOTAL FOR ALL THREE SESSIONS: $59,685,125 (USD)
The top lot was the ‘Victory Diamond’,
a D color rectangular-cut diamond ring of 31.34 carats,
which realized $4,309,000 or $137,492 per carat.
Additional top prices were achieved for:
CUSHION-CUT DIAMOND RING OF 43.79 CARATS IN D COLOR
SOLD FOR $4,029,000
A 103.66 CARAT SOLITAIRE DIAMOND PENDANT SET IN PLATINUM
ON A FINE NECKLACE OF PLATINUM BROUGHT IN $3,749,000
A 28.28 CARAT RECTANGULAR-CUT DIAMOND RING
OF D COLOR REALIZED $3,413,000
Christie’s is proud to report impressive prices for large white diamonds and colored gemstones, which further supports the collecting trends we have seen all season in Geneva, Hong Kong and in New York. A large D color diamond of 28.28 carats set a new house record for any jewel sold to an online bidder. Strong prices were also achieved for signed iconic pieces by Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co. and Schlumberger, among others.
December's Magnificent Jewels auction featured over 500 lots, including signed pieces from Boucheron, Cartier, David Webb, Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels, and prominent private collections. Featuring some of the most important jewels to be offered this season, with jewelry from the estate of New York philanthropist and socialite Carroll Petrie and after the auction a private preview of Christie’s Jewels Online Boutique closed the evening session.
PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF CAROLL PETRIE
(from the Christie's Auction Catalogue)
The collection of the late New York socialite Carroll Petrie was 90% sold by lot, and inspired late-evening bidding wars in the saleroom for her most-coveted necklaces, including a fabulous multi-gem Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. and a truly unique Tony Duquette design from the royal Collection of the Duchess of Windsor.
In total, 11 lots realized over $1 million, and four fetched over $3 million.
From a young age, Carroll McDaniel Petrie had a strong passion for beauty and great design and an early inspiration came when her first marriage to the Marquis de Portago brought her to Paris. There she became enamored with the fashions of Christian Dior, and even collaborated with the designer in the creation of her wedding dress. Her great love of beauty and keen eye allowed Mrs. Petrie to build a remarkable collection of fine and decorative art, haute couture, and jewels.
From the late-1950s, Mrs. Petrie established herself as an icon of international society and philanthropy, living and mingling among the elite in Paris, Hong Kong, and New York. Many of the pieces presented in this sale were worn during her meetings with notable figures such as President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, just to name a few. Carroll Petrie patronized many of the great jewelers of the twentieth century, including Van Cleef & Arpels, Jean Schlumberger, and David Webb, all were represented in the auction.
COLORED GEMSTONES
As in recent auctions, Christie's presented an impressive selection of exceptional emeralds, rubies and sapphires this December. Key highlights include rare sapphires from the Estates of Beatrice Goelet Manice and Gladys (Patsy) Pulitzer Preston, an important ruby and diamond ring from Harry Winston and an extraordinary cabochon emerald of over 50 carats.
NATURAL PEARLS
Natural pearls formed part of every royal and state collection for centuries and continue to remain in high demand. The Magnificent Jewels auction provides beautiful examples of necklaces from Cartier and Tiffany & Co., matched drop earrings and an elegant antique brooch formerly owned by Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor, the first woman elected to serve in the British Parliament.
DIAMONDS
Christie’s continues its reputation for offering the most important historical and rare diamonds available in the market today. We are proud to offer once again the famous “Victory” diamond, named to commemorate the Allied victory in World War II. The “Victory” was last offered at Christie’s in 1984 as part of the famous Collection of Florence J. Gould. Other notable stones include the “Petrie” diamond ring, a D color stone of 24.34 carats by Harry Winston, and a beautifully cut diamond pendant of 103.66 carats as well as an impressive selection of fancy colored pinks, blues, oranges and yellows.
SIGNED JEWELS
Unique signed pieces from top international designers including Boucheron, Cartier, Graff, Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels and more are among the key highlights of the sale. A top lot from the selection includes an iconic art deco coral bracelet by Cartier, with additional highlights including a diamond and gold ballerina brooch designed in arabesque pose, and two ‘Mystery Set’ flower brooches by Van Cleef & Arpels.
CHRISTIE’S JEWELS ONLINE BOUTIQUE, FEATURING FRED LEIGHTONDECEMBER 11 - 21, 2015
Christie’s Jewels Online Boutique
Following the Magnificent Jewels live auction, Christie's will offer a beautiful selection of contemporary jewelry for purchase online in Christie's Jewels Online Boutique. Just in time for the holiday season, the sale will include jewelry ranging from classic diamond earrings to an impressive assortment of vintage-inspired pieces by Fred Leighton. The online sale is open until December 21 at www.christies.com/jewelsboutique
About Christie’sChristie’s, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in the first half of 2015 that totalled £2.9 billion / $4.5 billion. In 2014, Christie’s had global auction and private sales that totalled £5.1 billion/$8.4 billion, making it the highest annual total in Christie’s history. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers around 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War & Contemporary, Impressionist & Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery.
Christie’s has a global presence with 54 offices in 32 countries and 12 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Mumbai. More recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai.