HONG KONG.- Phillips’ upcoming auction of Jewels and Jadeite will take place on 29 May at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. Comprising over 140 exceptional jewels, the sale features iconic pieces from the late 19th century to the contemporary, including signed masterpieces by Cartier, Graff, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron, among others, as well as an offering of coloured and white diamonds, gemstones, and fine jadeite. This curated selection of beautiful jewels presents distinctive opportunities to collectors across the globe.
Terry Chu, Head of Jewellery, Phillips Asia: “Developing in line with evolving tastes and collecting habits, our sale recognises jewellery as standalone objects of art, celebrating impeccable design, the highest level of craftsmanship and the heritage of jewels from across the ages. We are proud to offer important vintage jewellery designs, unique commissioned pieces from the leading branded jewellery makers across different eras, alongside radiant signed contemporary jewels, rare coloured stones, important diamonds and jadeite that will appeal to the international taste of today’s collectors.”
Rare Diamonds and Precious Gemstones
Rare diamonds and precious gemstones of the highest calibre continue to be showcased this season at Phillips. Coloured gemstones are led by the Blessed Blossom, a Burmese Pigeon’s Blood Ruby and Diamond Ring (estimate: HKD17,000,000 - 20,000,000). The exceptional ruby is enveloped in a delicate floral design of diamonds, showcasing the hallmark ‘pigeon’s blood’ colour saturation, as certified by two important Swiss gemology laboratories. The oval-shaped 6.02 carat crimson centre stone was mined from the Mogok valley in Myanmar, where important ‘pigeon’s blood’ rubies of the highest quality have been historically derived. Stones of this size and quality rarely appear and are highly sought after in the auction market.
Kashmir sapphires of significant weight and quality remain elusive on the market, with the original mines from the region now depleted, the sale presents a Rare 7.03-carat Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Ring, featuring a deep and lustrous blue stone (estimate: HKD 5,500,000 - 6,300,000). Fancy diamonds continue to be enthusiastically sought after in the Asian market, and a prized ‘canary’ yellow diamond will be featured in the sale. The 10.43-carat Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond and Pink Diamond Ring showcases a brilliant and intensely saturated centre stone of fine proportions mounted on a remarkable pink gold and pink diamond band, bringing together the appetite for coloured diamonds into a singular design (estimate: HKD 4,600,000 - 5,500,000).
A Fine Selection from Historic Jewellery Makers: Wearable Works of Art
Jewellery designed and created by the leading houses of the 20th century will feature in this sale. Collected as rare objects of art, these pieces encapsulate the aesthetic character and history of the period from which they derive. The sale will include a superlative example of Art Deco jewellery; an Emerald and Diamond Pendant by Mauboussin (estimate: HKD1,000,000 - 1,300,000). Mauboussin was one of the most important jewellers of the early 20th century, winning a spectrum of awards at international expositions of the time. At the height of Art Deco, the maison had salons across the United Kingdom, the United States and even Brazil. Art Deco masterpieces from Mauboussin remain highly collectible. This pendant, certified by the Mauboussin Archive to be an authentic creation from the maison in 1929, bears historical significance for it was made by one of the most important masters, during one of the most significant stylistic movements in the history of jewellery making.
Masterpieces of Modern Design
Signed contemporary pieces created by today’s prestigious international jewellery makers will also feature in the sale. These works carry the authority of the house and are valued for their aesthetics, as well as the rarity of the stones set in exceptional design. A highlight is a Unique Set of Sapphire and Diamond Jewellery, which was a commission from the house of Cartier in 1999. The original design sketches are included, showcasing the creative journey taken to create the design that honours the excellence of the unheated Sri Lankan sapphires encased (estimates: HKD 1,200,000 - 1,700,000).
Further examples of stellar design include a Pair of 6.40- and 6.29-carat Colombian Emerald and Diamond Pendent Earrings (estimate: HKD 1,900,000 - 2,400,000). Created by Graff, this pair of vivid green Colombian emeralds has been delicately suspended in a chandelier of variously cut diamonds that provide great movement. A further highlight is a Pair of Sapphire and Diamond Pendent Earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring a set of natural sapphires weighing a combined 66.63 carats, each earring is composed of two impressive stones of strong and lively blue colour (estimate: HKD 4,500,000 - 5,500,000).
Important Jadeite
Jadeite is a pillar of the jewellery market in Asia, with the Spring auction anchored by fine examples of cabochon jadeite. Among the highlights are a Jadeite Cabochon and Diamond Necklace (estimate: HKD 16,000,000 - 19,000,000), and a set of Jadeite Cabochon and Diamond Ring, and Pair of Matching Earrings (estimate: HKD 8,800,000 – 10,000,000). Jadeite continues to have sociological significance in Chinese civilization. This method of shaping a gemstone into a convex dome was introduced to China from the West in the 18th century and continues to be greatly favoured. Cabochons on the two highlights are of considerable sizes, beguiling translucency, pleasing outlines, and posses an even illuminating green colour, they are remarkable examples of the classical form.
