BOSTON, Mass. – March 1, 2010 – www.skinnerinc.com – Skinner, one of the world’s leading auction houses, will host an auction of Fine Jewelry on Tuesday, March 16th in the Boston gallery at 10 a.m. The sale features a number of interesting and rare pieces, many dating back as far as 1800.
The first collection of note comes from Mrs. Hope Goddard Iselin of New York and Newport – the first woman to compete in the America’s Cup. Her husband, C. Oliver Iselin, was perhaps the most famed American yachtsman of the late 19th century and defended the America’s Cup four times.
The sale will feature more than 15 pieces of her jewelry including an Art Deco Cartier platinum, diamond and onyx bracelet, estimated at $30,000 to $40,000; a pair of Cartier Art Deco platinum jadeite and diamond earpendants, estimated at $6,000 to $8,000; a Cartier emerald, diamond and seed pearl drapery brooch, estimated at $10,000 to $15,000; and a Droguet turquoise and diamond drapery brooch, estimated at $8,000 to $12,000. Droguet was a Parisian atelier and one of Cartier’s principal manufacturers of platinum jewelry set with gemstones in the first quarter of the 20th century.
A number of items from the Colt family collection will also be highlighted. Sam Colt, best known for inventing the Colt revolver, and his wife Elizabeth of Hartford, CT, embodied nineteenth century ideals of entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Her collection features an important antique diamond and enamel demi-parure, a wedding gift from Sam Colt in 1856, estimated at $25,000 to $30,000. Also in the group are her sister’s two Black, Star & Frost pearl and diamond necklace, estimated at $20,000 to $30,000 and $25,000 to $35,000.
As always, the sale will also feature antique jewelry and contemporary signed pieces by Tiffany & Co., Schlumberger, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels. Other offerings of note include a William Scheer platinum, enamel, and diamond clip, centering a design of a flying duck and estimated at $5,000 to $7,000; an empire cameo and enamel necklace, c. 1800, composed of sixteen shell cameos depicting cherubs driving chariots and astride winged lions and estimated at $3,000-$5,000; a set of sapphire and diamond owl cuff links estimated at $1,000 to $1,500; and a platinum and diamond solitaire, 6.09 cts., with a GIA report stating that the stone is J color, VS1 clarity.
Catalog and Preview Information
Previews for the auction will be Sunday, March 14th, 12-5 p.m. and Monday, March 15th, 12-7 p.m. The Sunday preview will also feature a Jewelry Clinic from 12-5 p.m., hosted by Hagop Matossian of Bostonian Jewelers. Illustrated catalog #2496 is available by mail for $35 ($42 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 508-970-3000 x3240. It is also available at the gallery for $32. Prices realized will be available at skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. Skinner’s site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogs, and bid live in real-time through Skinner-Live, Skinner’s live online bidding applet.
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Paintings & Prints, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.
Image: Lot No. 665: Art Deco Platinum, Diamond, and Onyx Bracelet, Cartier, c. 1920, approx. total wt. 15.15 cts. Estimate: $30,000-$40,000.
