Two loose sapphires, five fancy colored diamonds and an important Verdura Maltese cuff were among the top lots of Bonhams December 4 New York auction.
The top lot of the sale was an 11.87-carat unheated Burmese sapphire that achieved $660,900. The transparent cushion-cut gem sold for three times its pre-sale estimate, the auction house said.
This was followed by jewel of historical importance. A 1930s Chanel gem-set and enamel ‘Maltese cross’ cuff attributed to Verdura for Chanel. It is believed that renowned Italian jeweler, Fulco di Verdura, made this cuff while working at Chanel, before he founded his own jewelry brand. It fetched $432,300, nearly double its high estimate.
The ivory-colored enamel cuff is set with aquamarines, emeralds, amethysts, sapphires and rubies. It was originally owned by actress Helen Hayes MacArthur (1900 – 1933), considered the “first lady of American theatre” and it was first time it was placed at auction. The Maltese cuff was one of Verudra’s most iconic designs.
The number three lot was a platinum ring centered with three fancy blue diamonds as follows: 1.22-carat fancy intense blue, VSI clarity; 0.35 carats fancy blue, VS2 clarity; and 0.53 fancy intense blue color of VS2 clarity. It fetched $381,500.
The next lot was a 3.91-carat unheated Kashmir sapphire that sold for $343,400. Both this sapphire and the Burmese sapphire that was the top lot in the sale were from the estate of Stewart Blay, a sculptor who had one of the most valuable collections of Lincoln Cents. He was apparently a studied collector of jewels and gems as well as his 21-lot collection achieved $1.5 million against a pre-sale estimate of $724,300, the auction house said.
The diverse 257-lot sale at Bonhams New York headquarters totaled more than $7.3 million with 88% sold by lot and 97% sold by value.
Other highlights of the sale include:
An 18k white gold and diamond necklace featuring a 17.04-carat fancy intense yellow diamond further adorned with pear, heart and marquise-cut diamonds in floral motif totaling approximately 62.75 carats. It fetched $318,000.
A platinum ring centered with a 2.03-carat cushion-cut fancy pink diamond accented by round brilliant-cut diamonds. It sold for $305,300.
A platinum ring centered with a 3.01-carat fancy light blue diamond accented by round brilliant-cut diamonds. It fetched $279,900.
A 1.37-carat fancy intense purplish pink diamond with VS2 clarity that fetched $279,900.
A platinum ring centered with a 1.30-carat cushion-cut fancy brownish red diamond flanked by oval-shaped diamonds. It fetched $254,500.
Rounding out the top 10 lots was a platinum ring centered with a 6.59-carat emerald-cut diamond ring weighing 6.59 carats of F color and VVS2 clarity, accented by round brilliant-cut diamonds. It fetched $203,700.