Ten jewelry of René Boivin at Sotheby's, Geneva, 12 May 2015
Lot 376. Rock crystal and hematite bracelet, 'Escalier Bordé', René Boivin, 1930. Estimate 49,000 — 69,000 CHF (46,226 - 65,094 EUR). Lot Sold 162,500 CHF (156,362 EUR). Photo Sotheby's.
Designed as an articulated band of tiered square rock crystal plaques, set between rows of pyramidal hematite motifs, length approximately 190mm, French assay mark, inscribed Jacques à Betty, Déc 1930, case stamped Boivin.
Accompanied by a certificate from Françoise Cailles.
Literature: Cf: Françoise Cailles, René Boivin Joaillier, Paris, 1994, pg. 172 for an illustration of an 'Escalier Bordé' bracelet.
Lot 121. Gold and diamond suite, 'Chapeaux Chinois', René Boivin, 1946 and later. Estimate 13,000 — 19,000 CHF (12,264 - 17,925 EUR). Lot Sold 32,500 CHF (31,272 EUR). Photo Sotheby's.
The three clips each in the form of a hat, set with gold bead work, circular-cut and rose diamonds, and gold beads en tremblant, each signed René Boivin, French assay marks, the smaller pair of clips with French maker's marks and with later added pin fittings.
Literature: Cf: Françoise Cailles, René Boivin Joaillier, Paris, 1994, pg. 133 for an illustration of a similar clip.
Lot 68. Sapphire ring, 'Chaîne Marine', René Boivin. Estimate 13,000 — 19,000 CHF (12,264 - 17,925 EUR). Lot Sold 23,750 CHF (22,853 EUR). Photo Sotheby's.
Set with a cushion-shaped sapphire on a band designed as a gold chain, size 49, signed René Boivin, French assay and maker's marks.
Lot 71. Aquamarine and diamond brooch, 'Feuille', René Boivin, circa 1950. Estimate 13,000 — 19,000 CHF (12,264 - 17,925 EUR). Lot Sold 21,250 CHF (20,447 EUR). Photo Sotheby's.
Set with a heart-shaped aquamarine, the leaves composed of textured gold, accented with cushion-shaped diamonds, signed René Boivin, French assay and partial maker's marks.
Literature: Cf: Françoise Cailles, René Boivin Joaillier, Paris, 1994, pgs. 241 and 242 for examples of leaf jewels by René Boivin.
Lot 168. Pair of diamond ear clips, René Boivin, 1940s. Estimate 13,000 — 19,000 CHF (12,264 - 17,925 EUR). Lot Sold 50,000 CHF (48.112 EUR). Photo Sotheby's.
Each of foliate design, set with cushion-shaped and circular-cut diamonds, signed René Boivin, French assay and maker's marks.
Lot 1. Gold and sapphire necklace-bracelet combination, René Boivin, 1960s. Estimate 11,000 — 16,000 CHF (10,377 - 15,094 EUR). Lot Sold 87,500 CHF (84,195 EUR). Photo Sotheby's.
Three bracelets composed of gold scale-like links, one embellished with circular-cut sapphires, wearable as a necklace or as a choker and a bracelet, total length approximately 590mm, each with French assay and maker's marks, unsigned.
Accompanied by a certificate from Françoise Cailles.
Lot 362. Silver and amethyst pendant and a silver brooch, 'Assyrien', René Boivin, circa 1910. Estimate 9,000 — 13,000 CHF (8,491 - 12,264 EUR). Lot Sold 17,500 CHF (16,839 EUR). Photo Sotheby's.
The silver pendant portraying the profile of two lions' heads, each holding a collet-set cabochon amethyst between their jaws, suspending a drop shaped amethyst, unsigned; the silver brooch also designed as a lion's head, signed René Boivin, numbered, French assay and maker's marks.
The silver and amethyst brooch accompanied by a certificate from Françoise Cailles.
Literature: Cf: Françoise Cailles, René Boivin Joaillier, Paris, 1994, pg. 47 for illustrations of similar jewels.
Lot 70. Emerald and diamond ring, 'Pampilles', René Boivin, circa 1950. Estimate 8,000 — 10,000 CHF (7,547 - 9,434 EUR). Lot Sold 43,750 CHF (42,098 EUR). Photo Sotheby's.
The front set with a gold cone decorated with brilliant-cut diamonds, encircled with a cluster of emerald beads en tremblant, the band decorated with gold bead work, size 451/2, sizing band, signed René Boivin, French assay and maker's marks.
Literature: Cf: Françoise Cailles, René Boivin Joaillier, Paris, 1994, pgs. 326 and 327 for similar jewels by René Boivin.
Lot 69. Amethyst and peridot ring, René Boivin, circa 1950. Estimate 6,000 — 8,000 CHF (5,660 - 7,547 EUR). Lot Sold 27,500 CHF (26,461 EUR). Photo Sotheby's.
Set with an oval amethyst, decorated with similarly cut collet-set peridot shoulders, size 49, signed René Boivin, French assay mark.
Lot 67. Citrine ring, René Boivin, circa 1938. Estimate 6,000 — 9,000 CHF (5,660 - 8,491 EUR). Lot Sold 20,000 CHF (19,245 EUR). Photo Sotheby's.
The step-cut citrine set within a mount decorated with three tone gold, size 48, signed René Boivin, French assay mark.
Literature: Cf: Françoise Cailles, René Boivin Joaillier, Paris, 1994, pg. 74 for an illustration of this ring.
Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels, Geneva, 12 May 2015, 10:30 AM