3 septembre 2012

Bangle. Hemmerle, 2009, Munich, Germany. Patinated copper, white gold, faceted spinels. Height: 21 mm, Width: 80 mm, Depth: 68 mm. Given anonymously. M.18:1-2010. © V&A Images This bangle, in which copper richly patinated in red is juxtaposed with superbly cut spinels and an inner lining of white gold, represents the distinctive voice which Hemmerle has brought to jewellery since the middle of the 1990s. The design is minimalist. The craftsmanship is of the highest order and includes a... [Lire la suite]

Pendule « L'Amour retrouvé » à quantièmes et phases de lune. Paris, époque Louis XVI. Photo Kohn Bronzes dorés, marbre blanc et émail. Cadran signé VERNEUIL à Paris. Email contresigné Joseph Coteau (1740-1812). H. 39 cm, L. 39 cm, P. 14 cm - Estimation : 20 000 / 25 000 €Cette pendule allégorique en marbre blanc et bronzes dorés représente l'Amour retrouvé, un des thèmes qui connut le plus de succès sous le règne de Louis XVI. Sur la gauche, Cupidon regarde tendrement Vénus, déesse de l'Amour en lui... [Lire la suite]

A Spinach-green Jade 'Marriage' Bowl. Qing dynasty, 18th century. Photo Sotheby's well-carved with rounded sides raised on four shallow feet, the center of the interior in high relief with a pair of catfish swimming among chrysanthemum flowers with a pair of intricately carved bat and chrysanthemum blossom handles to either side, the exterior with the 'Eight Buddhist Emblems'. Width 10 1/2 in., 26.7 cm - ESTIMATION 70,000-90,000 USD PROVENANCE: Collection of Mr. Ogden Mills Reid... [Lire la suite]

Red spinel with a border of brilliant-cut diamonds in a gold setting. Europe, ca. 1840. Height: 2.5 cm, Width: 2.4 cm, Depth: 1.9 cm. Bequeathed by the Rev. Chauncy Hare Townshend. 1326-1869. © V&A Images Spinels are bright and lustrous gems which occur in a broad range of colours. Once known as 'balas rubies', 'spinel rubies' and then 'ruby spinels', red spinels have been closely linked with rubies throughout history. Though similar in appearance, they are composed of magnesium aluminium... [Lire la suite]

Secrétaire à abattant par Etienne Avril (1748-1791), reçu Maître le 23 novembre 1774. Paris, époque Louis XVI, vers 1780.  Bâti de chêne, acajou et placage d'acajou moucheté et satiné, bronzes dorés, laiton, marbre blanc et cuir. Estampillé E. AVRIL et marque JME. H. 153 cm, L. 134 cm, P. 50 cm. Estimation : 80 000 / 100 000 €Ce large secrétaire de forme rectiligne en acajou et placage d'acajou ouvre par un tiroir de longueur surmontant un abattant découvrant un plateau tendu de maroquin vert à... [Lire la suite]

A huanghuali Tapered Cabinet (yuanjiaogui), late Ming-early Qing dynasty, 17th century. Photo Sotheby's the splayed corner posts enclosing the matched simple panels of the pair of doors with wooden dowels fitting into sockets in the upper frame and lower front rail, above a plain narrow apron, the interior covered with black lacquer and fitted with two shelves. Height 55¾ in.,141.8 cm; Width 30½ in., 77.5 cm; Depth 18 in., 45.8 cm. ESTIMATION 70,000-90,000 USD PROVENANCE: Ming... [Lire la suite]

Pink oblong spinel with border of brilliant-cut diamonds, set in silver in an openwork mount. Europe, ca.1850. Height: 0.625 in, Width: 0.5 in. Bequeathed by the Rev. Chauncy Hare Townshend. 1317-1869. © V&A Images During medieval times, spinels were known as 'Balas rubies' and highly prized. Pure spinel is colourless. A small amount of chromium makes a spinel red or pink, iron makes a spinel green or blue, and zinc makes a spinel blue. This ring forms part of a collection of 154 gems... [Lire la suite]

Pendule aux « Trois Grâces ». D'après un modèle de François Vion, reçu Maître bronzier en 1764. Paris, époque Louis XVI. Photo Kohn Bronzes dorés, émail et verre. Cadran signé DURAND à Paris. H. 48,5 cm, diam. 14 cm - Estimation : 25 000 / 35 000 €Cette pendule en bronze ciselé et doré s'inspire du célèbre modèle de pendule dite aux « Trois Grâces » crée par le bronzier François Vion en 1769. Madame du Barry posséda un de ces exemplaires qui appartient aujourd'hui au Musée du Louvre (en dépôt au... [Lire la suite]

Lot 238. A jichimu six poster canopy bed (jiazichuang), Qing Dynasty, 18th century. Height 82 1/2 in., 210 cm; Width 86 3/4 in., 219.8 cm; Depth 51 5/8 in., 131 cm. Estimate 80,000-120,000 USD. Lot sold 62,500 USD. Photo Sotheby's. the soft matted sleeping platform within a rectangular, mitered frame, molded with a waisted apron and raised on corner legs of square section ending in hoof feet, the front, back and side railings in a lattice pattern, joined by six baluster form upright posts... [Lire la suite]

The Carew Spinel. Spinel, drilled and set on a gold pin, with a diamond at top and bottom. India, 17th century. Bequeathed by the Rt. Hon. Julia Mary, Lady Carew. IM.243-1922. © V&A Images This gemstone is a spinel, a stone gemmologically similar to a ruby. It is inscribed with the titles of the Mughal emperors Jahangir (r.1605–1627), Shah Jahan (r.1628–1658) and Alamgir (r.1658–1707), who is usually known in the West by the name Aurangzeb. It was bequeathed to the V&A in 1922 by Julia Mary,... [Lire la suite]