9 février 2014

A Victorian enamel, pearl and diamond brooch, circa 1880.  the central silver entwined double heart and ribbon bow motif encrusted with rose diamonds, applied to a cobalt blue guilloché enamel marquise shaped panel with white enamel and pearl border, to a closed yellow gold mount, measuring approximately 3cm, gross weight 5.9 grams. Available at Bentley & Skinner.

A late Victorian tourmaline and diamond twin brooch, circa 1890. Photo courtesy Bentley & Skinner the brooch in the form of a twin heart, set with a pear-shaped cabochon-cut green and a pink tourmaline, estimated to weigh a total of 1.70 carats, both rubover-set to a yellow gold mount, to the centre a diamond cluster surround and ribbon bow surmount, the old brilliant-cut diamonds estimated to weigh a total of 1.50 carats, white claw set to a yellow gold mount, with pendant loop and detachable brooch fitting, gross weight... [Lire la suite]

German, late 17th-early 18th century, Tankard with a knight and wild animals. Photo Sotheby's with an associated 18th century finial and inscribed in ink: 37/685 and with two old paper inventory labels, one inscribed in ink: 37/685, the other printed: SAMMLUNG * H.E.B. * and inscribed in ink: 79; the mounts with a Munich town mark and maker's mark MV, either for Michael Valser (active 1694-1707) or Michael Vogtner (active 1693-1712) (see Rosenberg, op. cit. no. 3850); ivory with silver-gilt mounts; overall: 26cm., 10¼in.... [Lire la suite]

South German, probably Augsburg, late 16th or early 17th century, Unicorn drinking cup. Photo Sotheby's gilt bronze, on a later red veined marble base; bronze: 13.9 by 13.3cm., 5½ by 5¼in.; base: 8.7 by 15.2cm., 3½ by 6in. Estimate 25,000 — 35,000 GBP. Unsold Note: This gilt-bronze unicorn is transformed into a drinking cup once the detachable head is removed. The large eyes with prominent pupils and the stipled treatment of the pelt are typical characteristics of late 16th and early 17th-century South German bronze... [Lire la suite]

The Rockefeller Sapphire. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2001 The rectangular-cut sapphire weighing approximately 62.02 carats, flanked by cut-cornered triangular-cut diamonds, mounted in platinum. Signed Tiffany & Co. Estimate $3,000,000 - $5,000,000. Price Realized $3,031,000    With special report 0101030 from Gubelin stating that the origin of the sapphire is Burma (Myanmar) as well as extensive additional notes discussing the exceptional rarity of the stone. . World auction record per carat for... [Lire la suite]

An octagonal-cut Burmese sapphire brooch of 47.15 carats, by Mellerio, sold for $3,648,894 at Christie’s Geneva in May 2012, setting a record price per carat for a Burmese sapphire at auction until last year. Photo courtesy of Christie’s. Centering upon an octagonal-cut sapphire, weighing approximately 47.15 carats, in an old-mine cut diamond frame, to the baguette, single and brilliant-cut diamond ribbon detail, 5.3 cm, with French assay marks for platinum and gold. Signed and with maker’s mark for Mellerio, no. 17838 ... [Lire la suite]

Pazyryk culture, Applique: Tiger with Stag’s Horns, 6th century BC. Leather; carved. 13x14.7 cm. Tuekta Barrow No. 1(Excavations of S.I. Rudenko, 1954), Central Altai, the Village of Tuekta, in the valley of the River Ursul, Russia. The State Hermitage Museum.

Pazyryk culture, Terminal: Stag on a Ball, 5th century BC. Wood and leather; carved. H. 12 cm. Pazyryk Barrow No. 2 (Excavations of S.I. Rudenko), Altai Region, Pazyryk Boundary, the Valley of the River Bolshoy Ulagan, Russia. The State Hermitage Museum.

Pendant depicting the monogram of the Virgin, in enamelled gold, lapis-lazuli, and paste (glass), made in Spain, about 1600-1630. Victoria & Albert Museum, London © V&A Images.

Spanish, last quarter 17th century and later pendant with a baroque pearl in the form of a hippocamp. Photo Sotheby's pearl and enamelled gold; 5.7cm., 2¼in. Estimate 5,000 — 7,000 GBP. LOT SOLD. 9,375 GBP The attractive enamelled gold frame from this pendant is very close to another belonging to the Hispanic Society of America, New York (Muller, op. cit. pp. 127-9, fig. 203). Such frames are believed to have been made in the Mediterranean regions of Spain. RELATED LITERATURE: P. E. Muller, Jewels in Spain 1500-1800, New York,... [Lire la suite]