24 avril 2012

An exceptional Beijing-enamelled  'European landscape' snuff bottle.  Mark and period of Qianlong. Photo Sotheby's of compressed spherical form tapered to an oval foot rising to a circular mouth, the decoration set within cord-decorated circular borders also encircling the neck, one side painted in puce enamels with a view of a winding river in the evening, with trees growing on the bands and a house in the background, the full moon reflected in the still waters, the other side with two... [Lire la suite]

A Ruby Flower Brooch, by JAR. photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012 Designed as a Camellia flowerhead, entirely pavé-set with rubies weighing a total of approximately 173.09 carats, mounted in silver and gold, 2003, 8.0 cm, with French assay mark for gold, in pink leather JAR case. Signed JAR Paris - Estimate CHF1,100,000 - CHF1,400,000 ($1,209,699 - $1,539,618) Christie's. Jewels for Hope: The Collection of Mrs Lily Safra 14 May 2012 Geneva 

An extremely rare imitation amber glass bottle vase. Wheel-cut mark and period of Yongzheng. Photo Sotheby's of compressed globular form, the rounded sides elegantly rising from a short splayed foot to a tall neck and a broad everted rim, decorated with a double raised fillet encircling the body, the pale translucent amber glass subtly enhanced with crizzling, the recessed base wheel-cut with a four-character mark within a double-square; 16.2 cm., 6 3/8 in. Estimation  2,000,000-3,000,000... [Lire la suite]

A Tourmaline and Diamond Flower Brooch, by JAR. photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012 Designed as two green and pink tourmaline poppy flowerhead and bud, linked by a green tourmaline scrolling stem centering upon a pear-shaped diamond, weighing approximately 37.23 carats, mounted in gold, 1982, 9.9 cm. Signed JAR - Estimate CHF460,000 - CHF650,000 ($505,874 - $714,822) Literature: JAR, Exhibition at Somerset House, London, November 2002 to January 2003, no.46  Christie's. Jewels for Hope: The... [Lire la suite]

A rare falangcai 'Mille-Fleurs',bowl. Mark and period of Yongzheng. Photo Sotheby's finely potted with deep rounded sides rising to a gently flared rim, the exterior delicately painted in brilliant enamels of yellow, green, lavender, and magenta with a dense bouquet of mixed flowers including chrysanthemum, hydrangea, pink, peony, magnolia, lotus, and lingzhi, all blooming against a ground of thick foliage in several tones of green, the interior and base white and the inset base with an enamelled... [Lire la suite]

A Pair of Diamond Ear Clips. photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012 Each set with two pear-shaped diamonds, weighing approximately 19.43 and 19.16 carats - Estimate CHF3,250,000 - CHF4,600,000 ($3,574,112 - $5,058,743) Accompanied by report no. 8357324 dated 17 January 2012 from the GIA Gemological Institute of America stating that the 19.43 carat diamond is D colour, VS1 clarity; with a working diagram indicating that the clarity of the diamond may be potentially Internally Flawless; and a letter stating that... [Lire la suite]

An important and finely carved Imperial lacquer 'dragon' box and cover.  Incised mark and period of Yongle beneath a carved Xuande mark. Photo Sotheby's of large circular shape, the flat top surface deftly carved and incised in various depths of relief through the rich red cinnabar to the ochre ground beneath with a leaping five-clawed dragon, its grinning face framed with long shaggy hair and a pair of long horns while his eyes detailed irises with black lacquer and long eyebrows... [Lire la suite]

A Belle Époque Diamond and Emerald 'Eglantine' Necklace, by Cartier. photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012 Designed as a graduated dog rose garland, the five flowerheads with pavé-set diamond petals, old-cut diamond collet stamens and emerald detail, linked by pavé-set diamond twigs and leaves, enhanced by emerald berries, mounted in platinum and gold, 1906, 58.0 cm. Accompanied by certificate of authenticity no. GE2012-40 dated 6 March 2012 from Cartier - Estimate CHF550,000 - CHF740,000 ($604,850 -... [Lire la suite]

A very rare  embroidered satin and pearlwork 'Twelve Symbols' Imperial court robe, Jifu. Qing dynasty, Daoguang Period. Photo Sotheby's the rich yellow satin ground meticulously worked on the front and back with nine fiveclawed dragons intricately and precisely embroidered with tens of thousands of minute fresh water seed pearls, the dragons in pursuit of embroidered 'flaming pearls', amidst the Twelve Symbols of Imperial Authority: the sun, the moon, mountains, dragon,... [Lire la suite]

A Belle Époque Diamond Necklace, by Cartier. photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012 The lattice ribbon-style necklace centering upon a stylized bow, suspending rope hoops and two tassel pendants, entirely set with diamonds, the central motif can detach to be worn as a brooch,with additional fitting and screwdriver, mounted in platinum, 1911, 35.0 cm, in navy blue leather fitted Cartier case. Signed Cartier, nos. 6312 and 46 (indistinct), with maker's mark for Atelier Henri Picq - Estimate CHF370,000 -... [Lire la suite]