Black Starr and Frost

William Ruser, Diamond, ruby and platinum 'Orchestra' bracelet, attributed to Ruser, circa 1940. Courtesy Hancocks. Bracelet designed as a row of eight orchestral musicians plus a conductor in the centre, the figures all set with a round cabochon star ruby forming the body with diamond set head, arms and legs and feet accented with black onyx, each musician plays a different instrument including timpani, cello, grand piano and harp and is joined by baguette diamond-set links. Provenance: Previously in the personal jewellery... [Lire la suite]

Lot 227. Patek Philippe: A rare white gold open-faced minute repeating perpetual calendar watch with moon-phases, ref. 844, made in 1973. Estimate CHF: 280,000 - 380,000. Sold for CHF: 472,000 (475,488 USD). Photo: Sotheby's. GENEVA.- Yesterday’s sale of Important Watches at Sotheby’s in Geneva was led by an extremely rare pocket watch by Patek Philippe, which surpassed its estimate to reach CHF 472,000 / $475,488 (est. CHF 280,000 – 380,000). Thought to be one of only two models of reference 844 in white gold,... [Lire la suite]

Lot 176. Bautte & Moynier. An exceptional three tune musical automaton bird cage clock with double singing birds and a butterfly, Geneva, 1825-1830. Estimate 400,000 — 800,000 CHF (367,960 - 735,919 EUR) (411,000 – 825,000 USD). Photo Sotheby's. GENEVA.- Sotheby’s Spring sale of Important Watches on Saturday 14 May will feature at its heart an exceptional and rare musical automaton clock, shaped as a bird cage, with double singing birds and a butterfly. This masterwork of... [Lire la suite]

Lot 32. A 3.49 carats sapphire and diamond ring, Black Starr & Frost. Estimate US$ 250,000 - 350,000 (€220,000 - 310,000). Photo: Bonhams. centering an antique cushion brilliant-cut sapphire, weighing 3.49 carats, within a diamond-set ornate basket and split shank; signed BS&F; mounted in 18k gold; size 5 Accompanied by AGL report # CS 1073522, dated February 23, 2016, stating the sapphire as: Kashmir origin, no indications of heat. Accompanied by Gubelin report # 15067378, dated June 30, 2015,... [Lire la suite]

Lot 509. Platinum, 13.76 carats Sapphire and Diamond Ring, circa 1925, Black Starr & Frost. Estimate 300,000 — 500,000 USD. Lot sold 394,000 USD. Photo Sotheby's Set with an emerald-cut sapphire weighing 13.76 carats, the mounting decorated with round and single-cut diamonds weighing approximately .45 carat, size 5½, signed B,S&F; circa 1925. Accompanied by AGL report no. CS 68622 stating that the sapphire is of Classic Ceylon origin, with no indications of heating. ... [Lire la suite]

The ‘Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil’ clock designed and manufactured by Vladimir Makovsky for Black, Starr & Frost, circa 1930. Photo courtesy of Patrizzi & Co. Its singular design depicts its namesake tree in 18kt yellow gold and platinum, malachite, mother-of-pearl, coral, lapis lazuli, black onyx , rock crystal and diamonds.It sold for $340,000 in 2009 at Patrizzi & Co. sale of Exceptional Watchmaking Masterpieces.

Pair of Art Deco Platinum, Diamond, Sapphire and Jade Pendant-Earclips. Photo courtesy Doyle New York Topped by pierced diamond-set navette-shaped panels accented by a band of 6 rectangular-cut sapphires, joined by a delicate chain of alternating diamond-set navette-shaped links and collet-set diamonds, suspending 2 drop-shaped jades approximately 12.5 x 6.1 mm., capped by scalloped edge tops set with 4 single-cut diamonds, centering a slender band of 6 rectangular-cut sapphires, circa 1920. With fitted box... [Lire la suite]

An art deco diamond wristwatch, by Cartier, circa 1925. Photo Bonhams LONDON.- A stunning art deco diamond wristwatch by Cartier circa 1935 that belonged to Eleonora Sears, the great, great granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson, will be offered in the Fine Jewellery sale, taking place at Bonhams London on the 21st September. The strap consists of baguette and brilliant cut diamonds and is estimated to sell for £15,000 – 20,000. As well has her famous great, great Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Deceleration of... [Lire la suite]

Platinum, Carved Jadeite and Diamond Brooch, Circa 1925. Set with an oval pierced plaque of brilliant emerald green color, carved in a relief of flower and peach motif, within a platinum frame set with baguette and old European-cut diamonds. Estimate 9,000—12,000 USD. Lot Sold 22,500 USD Platinum, Jadeite and Diamond Brooch, Black Starr & Frost, Circa 1925. Photo Sotheby's Composed of carved jadeite plaques of foliate design, set in the center with a marquise-shaped diamond weighing approximately .75 carat, accented by old... [Lire la suite]