GLEN COVE, NY.- Roland Auctions NY presented the collection of legendary New York socialite Baroness Gabriele Langer von Langendorff, on May 4th, 2024. The hugely successful auction offered The Baroness’ own personal collection, coming mostly from her two residences at The Pierre Hotel, with the sale topping one million dollars.

The Baroness, who the New York Daily News once dubbed “the Jet Set’s Most Controversial Woman”, passed away last summer, after leading a very storied life; having married four time while being a New York high-society mainstay for many decades. She purchased art treasures and jewels, including the fabled 77 carat Lesotho diamond from her long-times friend Harry Winston. The diamond was cut from a much larger stone, with the other portion going to Elizabeth Taylor.

Her clothes and jewels were always featured in society columns around the world, most prominently known for her extravagant emeralds and other jewels created by Winston. Her jewelry turned out to be the main attraction at the May 4th auction, along with an exquisite selection of silver and fine art.

The provenance on all these top sellers is “From the Estate of Baroness Gabriele Langer von Langendorff,” with the highest selling piece of the day being a Harry Winston Diamond, Emerald-Simulant, and Gold Necklace, of foliate design, the band with graduating pendants, set with 886 round brilliant-cut diamonds, and emerald-simulants, signed 9562 OR, accompanied by a photo image from Harry Winston archives, length 20 ½ inches, total 156.6 dwt. with signed Harry Winston box. 886 round brilliant-cut diamonds, total approximately 65.00 – 70.00 carats, average G-I color, average VS clarity, which sold $150,000.

Others also selling high with very fast-paced bidding were the Likely Harry Winston Emerald, Diamond & Diamond-Simulant Pendant, designed with a diamond-simulant chain now suspending an emerald, 36 x 24mm, and enhanced with a border of 97 round brilliant-cut diamonds, marked 750 OR, total 88.04 dwt. Pendant not original, now joined to the necklace. 97 round brilliant-cut diamonds, total approximately 15.40 carats, average G-I color, average VS clarity, 1 tumbled emerald, bluish green, highly included, 36 x 24 mm, Overall condition is good, wear commensurate with age. minor discoloration to metal. Modification to pendant, where it was attached permanently to the necklace, pendant and necklace marriage, selling for $93,750. A Likely Harry Winston Pair of Diamond & Emerald-Simulant Ear Clips, Of foliate design, set with 184 round brilliant-cut diamonds, total approximately 12.85 carats, tests for 18K gold, length 3 inches, total 37.48 dwt., white gold clip backs, going for $68,750 and aJacques Timey for Harry Winston Pair of Diamond, Emerald, and Gold Earrings, set with 146 round brilliant-cut diamonds, total approximately 10.50 carats, 8 carved cabochon emeralds, 11.94 x 8.45mm - 6.26 x 6.11mm, signed 750 OR and with maker's mark for Jacques Timey, total 28.49 dwt., length 2 inches, width 1 1/4 inches with signed Harry Winston box, which sold for $68,750.

A stunning Jacques Timey for Harry Winston Sapphire, Diamond, Diamond Simulant, and Gold Pendant with Necklace, set with round and pear-shaped brilliant-cut diamonds, square and baguette-cut sapphires, the pendant centering a bezel-set cushion-cut diamond-simulant, the pendant detachable, signed 750 OR with maker’s mark, pendant length 2 1/2 inches, width 2 1/4 inches; necklace length 18 inches, pendant total 55.88 dwt. and necklace is total 69.54 dwt., with signed Harry Winston box. For CF, see Sandra Oh, 2023 Oscars Harry Winston Necklace. Please note that there are 195 single, full and pear shaped diamonds, (necklace 103 diamond, pendant 92) Diamond total approximately 7.50 carats, G-I color, VS clarity. Sapphires, purplish blue, well matched, went for $62,500 and an Attributed to Harry Winston Diamond and Gold Earrings, Designed as doorknockers, set with 182 round brilliant-cut diamonds, tests for 18K gold, height 1 3/4 inches, width 1 1/8 inches, total 32.69 dwt. with signed Harry Winston box, sold for $46,875.

In addition, Attributed to Harry Winston Gold & Diamond Purse, French, designed as a bicolor basketweave clutch accented with diamonds, the hinged lid opening to reveal a mirror, 104 round single and full-cut diamonds, 18K gold assay mark and makers mark for Soubrenie et Bois and numbered indistinctly [ 7 x 4 x 1 3/4 inches] total 271.5 dwt., with fitted Harry Winston box, went for $28,125.

Contemporary and Modern Art also had a strong showing with top sellers including a Kikuo Saito (Japanese, 1939-2016) "White Pine" abstract study in oil on canvas comprising color brushstrokes on an open background of off-white and blue, titled, signed and dated 1983 on back, bearing Salander O'Reilly Galleries, NY label on back. [Sight: 42 1/2" H x 78" W; Frame: 44" H x 79" W], selling for $37,500 and an Emmanuel Mane-Katz (Ukrainian, 1894-1962): Rider on Horseback, gilt framed oil on canvas painting depicting a rider on horseback with sword in hand. Signed lower left, "Mane Katz". [Frame, approx.: 51" H x 41" W], going for $20,000.