MESMERIZING HIGH JEWELRY PIECES- PURELY BRILLIANT
by Luxury.Net
As we previously posted, property from the estate of Brooke Astor will be up for auction at Sotheby’s September 24th & 25th, including a mesmerizing collection of her coveted jewels. After sorting through the 900 piece catalogue, we have gleaned those pieces toI find to be extraordinary examples of high jewelry craftsmanship from Van Cleef & Arpels, Verdura, Bulgari, Cartier, David Webb, Boucheron and Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co.
Boucheron Mosaique Delilah Necklace- he 60-strong Biennale collection by Boucheron is inspired by the house’s archives, covering a diverse range of themes – nature, animals and insects, feathers, pearls, fabric – and paying tribute to illustrious past customers including royals and the maharajahs. Our pick of the bunch is the spectacular white- and pink-gold Mosaique Delilah necklace inspired by couture fabric – it falls comfortably on the skin like a piece of clothing.
Lot 900 – A Platinum, 18 Karat Gold, Emerald and Diamond Necklace, Bulgari, 1959- Lot 900 – A Platinum, 18 Karat Gold, Emerald and Diamond Necklace, Bulgari, 1959 centering a flexible composition of 13 emerald drops weighing approximately 71.00 carats, further enhanced with 14 cabochon emeralds weighing approximately 41.00 carats accented by 14 marquise-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 8.50 carats, and set throughout with numerous round diamonds weighing approximately 50.00 carats, length 14½ inches, unsigned, French workshop and assay marks; with signed and fitted box. – Estimate: 250,000 – 350,000 USD.
This magnificent emerald and diamond necklace was commissioned in the fall of 1958 while Mr. and Mrs. Astor were visiting England. As Mrs. Astor recounted in her 1980 autobiography, “Vincent amused himself by having old Mr. Bulgari come over from Rome to discuss an emerald necklace and earrings for me.” After spending the afternoon with the couple, Mr. Bulgari returned to Rome to contemplate the design of the suite. Mrs. Astor later noted that, “Vincent was very pleased with himself.” It was shortly after this trip to England, in February of 1959, that Vincent passed away. As far as Mrs. Astor knew, the design for the emerald suite remained a mystery.
