Sotheby’s announced that it will hold the Anita Mui – Jewels and Watches From The Estate auction on 5 October during Sotheby’s Hong Kong Autumn Sale 2011, offering exclusively 43 lots of jewels and watches as well as memorabilia items from the estate of Anita Mui (1963 – 2003) – the legendary canto-pop diva and award-winning actress from Hong Kong. Estimated in excess of HK$2.6 million / US$335,000*, the sale will showcase Mui’s private jewel and watch collection which has been safely stored by the estate, and has never been offered at auction. The impressive array of properties is redolent of Mui’s extraordinary taste and style, legendary for more than two decades from the 1980s until present day.
QUEK Chin Yeow, Deputy Chairman and Head of Jewellery Department, Sotheby’s Asia, said, “Sotheby’s Hong Kong is very honoured to be entrusted to hold the sale of jewels and watches from Anita Mui’s estate. These beautiful pieces are as radiant as Mui herself, and, remarkably, some of them remind us of her artistic career as well as the friendship she shared with her show business circle. One of the most intriguing objects of the auction is a pearl and diamond necklace and a matching pair of earrings by Gianmaria Buccellati, which Mui acquired for her future wedding but later on wore in her phenomenal final stage performance.
We are very privileged that Mui’s private collection graces our auction, and that collectors are offered an exclusive opportunity to acquire these wonderful pieces, together which is a rare glimpse into the life of one the most colourful stars in the Canto-pop history ever.”
Anita Mui (1963 – 2003)
Widely acclaimed as the “Ever-Changing Pop Diva”, Hong Kong singer-actress Anita Mui Yim-fong (10 October 1963 – 30 December 2003) is an iconic figure in the Canto-pop world. Dubbed the “Madonna of Asia” by the Western media, Mui was famed for her daring, ever-changing style and high-powered performances, which revolutionised Canto-pop scene in the 1980s. Her stage presence earned her a fan base that reached far beyond Hong Kong into many parts of Asia including Taiwan, Mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia and the overseas market. In September 2003, Mui was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and, after holding her momentous Anita Classic Moment Live Concert, died of the disease in December. The resolute and brave manner in which this singer-actress faced her final challenge left an indelible impression of professionalism, passion and power. This is as timeless as her immaculate, illustrious performances.
Sale Highlights
A Cultured Pearl Diamond Necklace And A Pair Of Matching Pendent Ear Clips Made-to-Order, Gianmaria Buccellati (Est. HK$500,000 – 700,000 / US$65,000 – 90,000).
Worn by Mui at her final stage performance in 2003 – Anita Classic Moment Live Concert, this pearl and diamond necklace and earrings by Gianmaria Buccellati were acquired by Mui over 10 years ago when Buccellati held an exhibition in Hong Kong. She planned to wear this made-to-order piece for her future wedding. In her final symbolic act of “marrying the stage”, accompanied by her famous hit Sunset Melody Mui exited the stage for the final time wearing this suite – one of her most prized possessions.
Suspending at the front with two white baroque cultured pearls and a black cultured pearl of similar shape, measuring approximately 30.00 X 23.53 X 19.48 mm to 26.10 X 21.95 X 20.72 mm, the bib necklace is set with gold carved feathers, and is also decorated by rose-cut diamonds complemented by a pair of matching pendent ear clips.
Stainless tainless Steel And Diamond-Set Five-Time-Zone Centre Seconds Wristwatch With Mother-of-Pearl By Jacob & Co. (Est. HK$30,000 –50,000 / US$3,800 – 6,500).
Jacob Arabo, known as Jacob the Jeweller, is renowned for creating bespoke gem-set timepieces for the elite entertainment clientele, including fashion, film and music stars. Fittingly, Anita Mui wore this fivetime- zone glittering steel and diamond-set 47-mm timepiece on her delicate wrist – a statement piece befitting her super stardom. This watch was one of her favourites, often seen on her wrist during media interviews and numerous public appearances.
Karat Gold, Diamond And Enamel Dance Card With Concealed Watch And Pencil, Swiss, Circa 1890; accompanied by a winding key and a fitted box (Est. HK$40,000 – 60,000 / US$5,000 – 7,500) Dance cards originated in the 18th century and gained immense popularity in Viennese high society during the 19th century. The cards are for ladies to fill in names of gentlemen with whom they intend to dance each successive dance at formal balls. Acquired from an antique shop in Japan, this exceptionally beautiful and enticing example from Anita Mui’s collection features a lavish hand-engraved yellow gold case, further accented with rose-cut diamonds and blue enamel. Remarkably, this dance card is installed with a concealed watch, which is particularly rare and seldom seen at auction.
On the dance card, Mui wrote the Chinese characters (meaning Golden Horse Award) shortly after she won the 1987 Taiwan Golden Horse Award for Best Actress for her performance in the multi-award winning film, Rouge
This dance-card-timepiece marks an important milestone in Mui’s success as an accomplished and talented actress alongside her stellar singing career.
Karat Gold and Diamond Compact, Boucheron (Est. HK$50,000 –70,000 / US$6,500 – 9,000).
This compact case accompanied by a fitted velvet pouch was given to Mui by her godson for her 25th birthday in 1988. It is decorated on the rim with swirls of brilliant-cut diamonds together weighing approximately 4.20 carats. There are two compartments for powder compact, and two small bottles of perfume. Measuring approximately 79.96 X 62.10 X 16.35mm, signed and numbered 66270, the case was engraved with “Anita” on the cover.
Dance cards originated in the 18th century and gained immense popularity in Viennese high society during the 19th century. The cards are for ladies to fill in names of gentlemen with whom they intend to dance each successive dance at formal balls. Acquired from an antique shop in Japan, this exceptionally beautiful and enticing example from Anita Mui’s collection features a lavish hand-engraved yellow gold case, further accented with rose-cut diamonds and blue enamel. Remarkably, this dance card is installed with a concealed watch, which is particularly rare and seldom seen at auction.
On the dance card, Mui wrote the Chinese characters (meaning Golden Horse Award) shortly after she won the 1987 Taiwan Golden Horse Award for Best Actress for her performance in the multi-award winning film, Rouge this dance-card-timepiece marks an important milestone in Mui’s success as an accomplished and talented actress alongside her stellar singing career.
Karat Gold and Diamond Compact, Boucheron (Est. HK$50,000 –70,000 / US$6,500 – 9,000).
This compact case accompanied by a fitted velvet pouch was given to Mui by her godson for her 25th birthday in 1988. It is decorated on the rim with swirls of brilliant-cut diamonds together weighing approximately 4.20 carats. There are two compartments for powder compact, and two small bottles of perfume. Measuring approximately 79.96 X 62.10 X 16.35mm, signed and numbered 66270, the case was engraved with “Anita” on the cover.
Image: Gianmaria Buccellati Pearl Necklace. Photo: Sotheby’s.
