RAPAPORT... Christie’s garnered $799,125 from its online sale of jewelry by designer Michele della Valle, with 100% of items finding buyers.
The top lot at the auction was a pair of yellow sapphire, tsavorite garnet and diamond lemon earrings, which went for $75,000, smashing its $10,000 high estimate, Christie’s said last week. Another set of earrings — containing 52 round and 12 baguette-cut diamonds weighing a total of 1.55 carats, tsavorite garnets, and red agate beads — also soared past its upper valuation. The pair, designed to look like cherries, brought in $37,500, well over its $6,000 estimate.
A number of emerald and tourmaline pieces also fared well. A brooch featuring round emeralds and cabochon green tourmalines sold for $37,500, well above its estimate, while a pair of earrings set with round, oval and marquise-cut emeralds fetched $25,000, nearly four times its high valuation. A square step-cut, 13.25-carat orange tourmaline ring, surrounded by cabochon green tourmalines and diamonds, brought in $23,750, against a high valuation of $6,000.
“With a background in opera and the arts, della Valle’s aptitude for creative output knows no bounds,” said Caroline Ervin, a specialist for Christie’s jewelry department. “For decades, della Valle has delighted jewelry collectors and fans alike with his bold and colorful creations. His unexpected and whimsical creations offered in our sale were met with enthusiasm from Christie’s clients around the world.”
In total, Christie’s offered 65 pieces by the designer, with bidders from 24 countries participating in the auction.
Image: Michele della Valle’s lemon earrings. (Christie’s)
|
|
|
|
|