
Christie’s, online
We may all be staying in, but auctions are continuing apace, with houses ramping up their digital sales to entice those looking for divine diversions. Christie’s latest sale, taking place online later this month, is one such reason to be cheerful. Featuring a plethora of spring-inspired offerings from Verdura, Tiffany & Co and David Webb, jewels are studded with aquamarine, turquoise, rubies and coral in a gleeful embrace of colour and bold design. Encapsulating spring in diamond and enamel are these Boucheron flower brooches, which would make up for the Easter sunshine we are missing very nicely indeed. Christie’s Jewels Online will take place between 13-24 April on christies.com
Writer: Hannah Silver

Collectible, Brussels
As ever, the third edition of Collectible will be focusing on 21st century contemporary design, uniting both established and younger galleries in a tantalising curation. A particular highlight comes from Formes Libres’ Sophie Gohr who will be exhibiting at Gallery Spazio Nobile. Her fascination for foraging translates fluently into delicate jewels. Casting the natural materials she finds – a leaf, a stone – into 18 carat gold is a fragile operation, the forms of her flimsy findings remaining intact beneath their precious coating. Collectible takes place in Brussels’ Vanderborght building, 5 – 8 March
Writer: Hannah Silver

Christie’s, New York
Christie’s upcoming watch auction, Watches Online: A New Decade of Time, incorporates an eclectic collection of era-defining wristwatches, with highlights including the beautiful Lange 1 Tourbillon from A. Lange & Söhne and the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 3800/1. It is this iconic Minnie Mouse wristwatch, by Gerald Genta circa 1990, that has our fingers itching for our paddles, however. Genta was at the height of his watchmaking acclaim, fresh from designing the Royal Oak, Nautilus and Bulgari Bulgari, when he obtained a license from Walt Disney to design their watches in the Eighties. The Swiss watch industry were horrified with the cartoonish results, but in producing tongue-in-cheek pieces solely to give joy Genta was, once again, ahead of the zeitgeist. The Minnie Mouse watch, in a simple yellow gold case, is just as timely today, even in a sea of imitators. Christie’s Watches Online takes place at Christie’s New York, from 25 February to 10 March
Writer: Hannah Silver

Artcurial Winter Auction, Monte Carlo
Artcurial’s winter sales, taking place this week, will see pieces from iconic names in the worlds of horology, fashion and jewellery go under the hammer. Particular highlights include vivid and unique variations on Hermès’ Birken and Kelly bags, which sit alongside a noteworthy Fifties Rolex Padellone and two Patek Philippe wristwatches fully covered in diamonds. Jewellery is just as decadently delicious, with a delicately-hued opal-set Lalique neck plate taking centre stage. Other pieces are more whimsical – we love this diamond, sapphire and enamel gold brooch, left, which sits alongside a Boucheron diamond, chrysoprase and enamel yellow gold clip, circa 1960, for a style both feline and a little bit foxy. Artcurial Winter Auction takes place at Hotel Hermitage, Monte Carlo, from 14 – 16 January
Writer: Hannah Silver

Chanel at Sotheby’s Milan
Lion motifs, pearl embellishments, and eye-catching typography: there are a host of design details idiosyncratic of Chanel’s, catwalk and costume jewellery collections. Now, a host of the Parisian maison’s jewellery designs form part of a Sotheby’s Milan sale – part of the private collection of an Italian fashion aficianado – ranging from jangling coin-detail bracelets to camellia motif Plexiglass cuffs. But it’s these Karl Lagerfeld-designed costume earrings, brooches and cuffs which have bolstered our fascination for Renaissance-Byzantine design. The gilded pieces were inspired by the aesthetic of Italian jeweller Duke Fulco di Verdura, a close friend of Gabrielle Chanel, and this Maltese Cross cuff was worn by both Chanel and Diana Vreeland in portraits lensed by Cecil Beaton. ‘Chanel is a universally coveted brand and this sale – the result of a lifetime of dedicated collecting – gives fashion-lovers everywhere the opportunity to acquire creations from the most iconic, instantly-recognisable designs,’ says Sara Miconi, head of jewellery at Sotheby’s Milan. Happy bidding! Online bidding for Chanel at Sotheby’s is open from 29 November to 5 December 2019.
Writer: Laura Hawkins

Bonhams Jewels, London
The rich and varied jewellery and watch collection of novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE and her husband Robert Bradford is an enduring symbol of the couple’s happy 55-year marriage. The collection, which is to be auctioned at Bonhams next month, features a plethora of jewels Robert bought Barbara over the years. He particularly admired this joyful Verdura cuff Fuclo di Verdura originally created for Coco Chanel in the Thirties, which skillfully sets bright gems in white enamel. ‘When I asked Bob, ‘Why did you buy it for me? It’s not my birthday,’ he just replied, ‘I can buy you a present every day because I love you so much,’’ says Bradford. ‘I remember his words were as important as the jewellery he gave to me.’ Bonhams Jewels takes place at Bonhams London on 4 December.
Writer: Hannah Silver