|
|
Graff Bracelet Exceeds Expectations at Bonhams
Sep 25, 2019 9:58 AM
By Rapaport News
|
|
|
RAPAPORT... An emerald and diamond bracelet by Graff fetched more than four times its high
estimate at Bonhams, leading an auction that saw many pieces crush presale estimates.
The piece, which was the subject of a fierce bidding war,
features 13 step-cut Colombian emeralds, the largest of which is 2.56 carats,
interspersed with an equal number of step-cut diamonds. It sold to a private
buyer for $749,847, beating its $180,000 high presale estimate at the September
London Jewels sale.
“The emeralds in this classic and elegantly designed
bracelet are of superlative quality,” Emily Barber, director of jewelry at
Bonhams UK, said Wednesday. “They have a rich, vivid, true-green color and
crystalline transparency. To amass this number of emeralds that are so well
matched in terms of color, quality and size would have been a painstaking and
expensive selection process and encapsulates Graff’s commitment to using only
the very best-quality stones.”
Another emerald that received heavy bidding was an Art Deco
emerald, diamond and enamel brooch by designer Hennell. The piece, created in
1925 and given as a gift by Mughal Emperor Akbar II to Lady Mary Hood
Mackenzie, garnered $186,587 against a high estimate of $73,000.
“This was the first time the emerald had come to the open
market,” Barber explained. “It had been passed down the female line of the
family since Mary Hood’s death, and it certainly captured a lot of interest
during the sale, with bidders from 25 countries.”
Other notable items at the sale included a five-piece, mystery-set
collection by Van Cleef & Arpels, which sold for a total of $402,938. The
entire collection found buyers, and most pieces sold for well over their
presale estimates. Those included a ruby and diamond ring, which sold for $40,488, surpassing its high presale estimate of $36,000. A pair of ruby and diamond
earrings was snapped up for $96,411, almost double its $49,000 high estimate.
Additionally, 20 jewels from the private collection of the
Buccellati family, made by famed designer Mario Buccellati, sold well. A
silver, gold and emerald vanity case brought in $31,162, nearly four times its
high estimate of $8,500, while a gold bangle sold for $12,200 against a high valuation
of $3,600.
In total, Bonhams sold 82% of lots by value. The auction
house’s next jewelry sale will take place on September 26 in New York.
Image: The Graff emerald and diamond bracelet. (Bonhams)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tags:
bonhams, Emily Barber, Graff, Hennell, Lady Mary Hood Mackenzie, London Jewels, Mario Buccellati, Mughal Emperor Akbar II, Rapaport News, Van Cleef & Arpels
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|