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BY AMANDA MCKINLEY
On December 6th, Christie’s Rockefeller Center in Manhattan witnessed an extravagant showcase of luxury as the Magnificent Jewels auction unfolded. This event saw fervent bidding both in-person and over the phones, culminating in a remarkable total of $38,135,080. Impressively, 90% of the 152 lots available found buyers. The auction presented an exquisite collection of rare diamonds, significant colored stones, and distinguished jewels from renowned collections.
Leading the auction was a 3.49-carat fancy vivid blue cushion-cut diamond ring, internally flawless, which was acquired for a notable $5,495,000. Another highlight was a 5.16-carat fancy vivid yellowish orange diamond ring with a VS2 clarity, fetching $1,683,500. The list of impressive sales for colored diamonds continued with a 61.47-carat fancy greenish yellow modified-cut diamond, which was secured for $1,562,500.
Colored stones also made a significant mark during the sale, with numerous lots surpassing their anticipated values. Notable examples include a Cartier-mounted emerald-cut Kashmir sapphire ring weighing 23.00 carats, which soared to $3,014,500—more than three times its conservative estimate of $800,000. Additionally, a Tiffany & Co. cushion-cut Kashmir sapphire ring of 8.91 carats was sold for $1,925,500, while a 7.31-carat cushion-cut Burmese ruby ring realized $1,134,000. Among the surprises, a pair of Tiffany & Co. sapphire and diamond earrings were acquired for a whopping $453,600, which was eleven times their lower estimate of $40,000. An emerald-cut emerald ring weighing 9.13 carats fetched $1,008,000, a value more than five times its minimum estimate.
Further adding to the allure of the auction were pieces from esteemed private collections. A Van Cleef & Arpels multi-gem and diamond bracelet, once part of the Collection of Adolphus Andrews, Jr. and Emily Taylor Andrews, sold for $138,600, surpassing its estimate of $50,000. Similarly, a striking Seaman Schepps Art Deco rock crystal, multi-gem, and diamond bracelet from the Estate of Mary Lloyd Robb achieved $144,900 against its lower estimate of $40,000.
Christie’s, established in 1766, stands as a premier institution in the art and luxury domain. With a global footprint spanning 46 countries across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, Christie’s has cemented its presence with flagship sales hubs in cities like New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris, and Geneva.
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Turner in January: Turner opens a new year of art exhibitions
As every January, the National Galleries of Ireland and Scotland present “Turner in January,” an annual exhibition of drawings and watercolours by British artist J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851).
Image: Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), “The Piazzetta, Venice”, 1840. National Galleries of Scotland.
Every January since 1901, the National Gallery of Ireland and Scotland have staged an exhibition of drawings and watercolours by J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851) bequeathed by the collector Henry Vaughan, who stipulated that the works should only be exhibited in winter, to prevent excessive light from damaging them. The National Gallery of Ireland received 31 watercolours, while the National Galleries of Scotland received 38 watercolours. The exhibition is on view from January 1 to January 31.
In the exhibition website, the National Galleries of Scotland explain that the exhibition “is a keenly awaited tradition for many people in Scotland. At the dawning of the New Year, as we leave behind the darkest days of winter, the bright vitality of Turner’s watercolours is just what we need. The watercolours include dramatic landscapes from the Himalayas, the Swiss Alps, and the Isle of Skye. Journeying through Britain, Europe, and beyond, this mesmerising exhibition captures the life and career of this beloved artist.”