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 25th February to 10th 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 14th – 16th 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
Sotheby’s Fine Jewels, London: Regular art, antique and design fair attendees will be aware of the allure of Hemmerle’s jewellery designs, which unite high quality gemstones with unconventional techniques and materials, like mammoth tusk, Mikado pick up sticks and reverse pavé spikes. These are pieces for a collector striving for something unusual and avant-garde yet utterly elegant. Now, the largest single owner collection of the Munich-based jewellery house’s designs are to be sold at auction as part of Sotheby’s Fine Jewels say on 26 November. This rare twelve piece offering — from the collection of a European lady — features a host of alluring designs that highlight Hermmerle’s expertise in unusual materials, stone setting and colour combinations.
We think these pineapple-shape earrings are a particularly fruitful Lot. These striking asymmetric styles, set with grey and orange-brown tint diamonds, feature two suspended 19th century cameos (a trending hand-engraved adornment seen in recent designs by Fenty and Cindy Sherman). One, in agate, depicts a Moorish woman and the other, in onyx, resembles Maecenas — a patron to the poets Horace and Virgil. Wearing them will bring new meaning to the term poetry in motion. Fine Jewels, takes place at Sotheby’s London on 26 November 2019.
Writer: Laura Hawkins
Christie’s London Art Adorned: There’s little more opulent than a Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda collection, which features gilded and embellished couture items, entirely cross-stitched with flowers or adorned with intricate bead and sequin work. The Italian label often references artistic movements, from Rococo to the Renaissance in its collections; take A/W 2019’s Alta Moda show, held at the Valle dei Templi in Agrigento, Sicily, which featured silk gazar gowns depicting Neoclassical paintings by French artists Jacques-Louis David and Jean-Antoine-Théodore Giroust.
Now, in a nod to this artistic connection, Christie’s Art Adorned sale features important Old Master Paintings and Decorative arts, curated alongside Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda and Alta Gioielleria collections. A number of astonishing jewellery creations will be on display, including cherub motif chandelier earrings strewn with lengths of diamonds and a cocktail ring with an oceanic Pariba at its centre, but it’s these hand-painted miniatures earrings which have us feeling most artful. These asymmetric designs feature two contemplative women, painted with flower-adorned head pieces and emerald earrings. Two pink sapphire birds sit atop each miniature, a symbol of the light hearted twist which Dolce & Gabbana brings to even its most prized creations. Art Adorned is on view Christie’s, 8 London from 22nd November - 3rd December.
Writer: Laura Hawkins
