Emerald Set Prompts Bidding War at Bonhams

RAPAPORT… Three Art Deco emerald and diamond pieces by legendary
British designer Hennell sold for $2.7 million (GBP 1.9 million) at Bonhams in London
following a bidding war.

The collection’s top-seller was an early-20th-century,
double-sided-cabochon, 12.13-carat emerald and diamond pendant necklace (pictured), which
went for $1.8 million (GBP 1.3 million), far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of
$206,723 to $275,631 (GBP 150,000 to GBP 200,000).

A polished-sugarloaf-cabochon, 9.28-carat emerald and diamond
ring fetched $508,194 (GBP 368,750), beating its estimate of $206,723 to
$344,538 (GBP 150,000 to GBP 250,000).

The third item, a clip brooch featuring approximately 40.15
carats of diamonds surrounding a pear-shaped, 7.49-carat diamond, garnered $318,009
(GBP 230,750), surpassing its estimate of $137,816 to $206,723 (GBP 100,000 to
GBP 150,000).

The pieces came from the private collection of Louise
Stephens, a member of the Stephens Ink family.

“The jewels are simply magnificent,” said Emily Barber, UK director
of jewelry for Bonhams. “Superb emerald specimens like this do not come to
market very often. The crescent-shaped emerald is no doubt an historic Indian
gem, cut to maximize its ‘green fire,’ and the sugarloaf-cabochon emerald, a
cut favored by early-20th-century Art Deco jewelers, is one of the finest
examples we have seen.”

Other items that yielded high sales included an Art Deco
emerald and diamond necklace and bracelet set that earned $1.5 million (GBP 1.1
million), more than four times its pre-sale estimate of $206,723 to $344,538
(GBP 150,000 to GBP 250,000). In addition, a Cartier Art Deco emerald and diamond
bracelet made $425,505 (GBP 308,750), against a pre-sale estimate of $110,252
to $165,378 (GBP 80,000 to GBP 120,000).

The auction achieved a total of $10.8 million (GBP 7.8
million), with 91% of lots sold by value.

Bonhams will hold its Hong Kong Rare Jewels and
Jadeite sale on May 27.