OAK PARK, IL.- On Thursday, November 12, Toomey & Co. Auctioneers will hold its second annual Jewelry, Silver & Objects of Vertu sale with material by notable makers from various periods and in a range of styles. Included among the more than 400 lots in the auction are American Arts & Crafts examples as well as items representing the following eras: Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modernist/Mid-Century, and Contemporary. There are many distinguished sources for the auction, in particular, The Paul & Terry Somerson Collection of 20th and 21st Century Metalwork and Jewelry.

Paul Somerson was a highly successful tech journalist and author during the 1980s and 1990s who later transitioned to collecting with his wife, Terry. The Somersons ultimately assembled the largest private collection of American Arts & Crafts metalwork and jewelry and also acquired many fine Modernist examples. On May 5, 2019, Toomey & Co. conducted a single-owner, catalog sale for The Somerson Collection in which 500 lots achieved $650K with a 93% sell-through rate. The Jewelry, Silver & Objects of Vertu auction on November 12 will extend this important offering with over 200 additional lots from The Somerson Collection.

Bidding in Jewelry, Silver & Objects of Vertu on November 12
Jewelry, Silver & Objects of Vertu on November 12 will start at 10:00 a.m. CST at Toomey & Co. Auctioneers, 818 North Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois. In light of COVID-19, the sale will not be open to the public, but bidders may participate by phone (708-383-5234) or leave absentee bids (info@toomeyco.com). The auction catalog is available online at toomeyco.com and early registration is strongly recommended. In addition, bids may be placed via two real-time, third-party digital platforms (LiveAuctioneers and Invaluable). Prior to the sale, preview is available virtually and by appointment. Those interested should contact info@toomeyco.com to request further condition details/photos or schedule a preview time.

Upcoming Auctions and Consignments
Toomey & Co. will conduct two more auctions this year: Tradition & Innovation on Thursday, December 3 and Art & Design on Sunday, December 6. Consignments are now invited for upcoming auctions and photographs of items may be submitted for estimates to info@toomeyco.com. To learn about past or future sales, please visit toomeyco.com.




Highlights of Jewelry, Silver & Objects of Vertu on November 12

Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau Jewelry
The auction will feature multiple Arts & Crafts pendant necklaces from Chicago’s Kalo Shop, including a sterling silver and freshwater pearl example ($2,000-3,000 estimate). Two other impressive Arts & Crafts jewelry items are a 14K yellow gold, diamond, and Montana sapphire ladies bracelet attributed to Boston’s Edward Everett Oakes ($1,500-2,500) and a sterling fuchsia pendant necklace from New York-based, Danish designer Peer Smed ($1,500-2,500). The sale also has an attractive green glass brooch by French Art Nouveau master René Lalique and a vintage 14K white gold and diamond ladies heart motif ring (both $1,000-2,000).

Modernist and Contemporary Jewelry
Modernist jewelry is widely available, with standouts like Ecuadorian Oswaldo Guayasamín’s 18K yellow gold kinetic pendant necklace ($4,000-6,000) and Mexican Antonio Pineda’s silver and amethyst linked bracelet ($800-1,200). Lots by New York mid-century designers include Madeleine Turner’s 18K yellow gold, platinum, turquoise, and diamond floral brooch ($500-700) and two abstract brooches by Sam Kramer (higher $250-350). Within the Contemporary section, two 18K yellow gold Bulgari lots make a definite impression: a pair of French back earrings and a coiled Spiga ring (higher $1,500-2,500).

Arts & Crafts and Danish Silver
Many Arts & Crafts holloware and flatware items by the Kalo Shop will be up for bid, such as a rectangular sterling tray with an applied nephrite jade ($2,000-3,000), plus a sterling Poppy repoussé tea and coffee service by fellow Chicago maker Lebolt & Co. ($4,000-6,000). The sale will include an International Silver Co. Wedgwood partial flatware service for 12 ($1,000-2,000) as well as a sterling and rosewood salad serving set by William Spratling ($300-500). Danish master silversmith Georg Jensen has several lots in the sale, including a sterling round footed bowl with foliate pedestal base ($1,000-2,000).

Stick Pins, Medals, and Coins
From The Estate of Nina and Jack Stillinger, the auction includes over 30 group lots with stick pins from different eras, Victorian and later, by Tiffany & Co. and others (highest $600-800). The sale concludes with various medals and medallions of historical import from the United States, France, and elsewhere (highest $500-700) along with several coin lots, including multiple gold eagle examples; two $20 St. Gaudens double eagle pieces date to 1923 and 1927 (each $1,500-2,500).