Chiswick Auctions shines with historic Cartier jewels and Brilliantly British creations

09 Jun 2021

Image: Lot 189: An Art Deco diamond and rock crystal lapel brooch, by Cartier, circa 1925 Sold £150,000 (including premium)

The first Chiswick Auctions Jewellery auction of 2021 was a strong success proving the trend for jewellery at auction is still on the up. In total the auction, held on Friday the 28th of May, achieved 174% sold by value and 85% sold by lot.

The star of the show was an Art Deco diamond and rock crystal Cartier brooch (above), formerly owned by the New York socialite Miss Augusta McCagg. Offered in their West London saleroom for a pre-sale estimate of £12,000-15,000, after competitive bidding from 13 different telephone bidders as well as online bidders, the lot finally sold for a hammer price of £120,000 (25% buyer’s premium / £150,000 including premium).

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Sarah Duncan G.G., Head of Jewellery at Chiswick Auctions, said,

“This Cartier label brooch is a wonderful example of the early influence Indian art had on the jewellery being created by Cartier. Dating to circa 1925, the finely pierced setting shows Indian themes while embracing a highly monochrome colour palate, typical of early Art Deco jewellery. This combined with Cartier’s pioneering use of rock crystal, makes this a striking example from arguably the firm’s most important period of output. Extensive research into the family history and connections, compounded by the fact that this piece has never before been on the open market, made it very desirable to our international bidders.”

The auction also featured a wide selection of the ‘Brilliantly British’. Of note was a Private London Collection from a personal friend of Wendy Ramshaw (1939-2018) which was 100% sold. The collection achieved more than 230% of its preauction total. Ramshaw who just passed away at the end of 2018 was a celebrated English jeweller who’s highly collectable works can be found at the V&A, the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and The National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto. Highlights from this collection included two of Ramshaw’s iconic ring towers, one made of gold and diamonds which sold for a hammer price of £2,600 (Lot 1, pre-auction estimate £1500-2000; sold £3,250 including premium), the other of silver and moonstone which achieved £1,700 (Lot 3, preauction estimate £500-700; sold £2,176 including premium).

And of course no jewellery auction would be complete without some showstopping diamonds. Chiswick Auctions offered a selection of certified large diamonds which were all sold including: Lot 108 A 5.47 carat step-cut diamond ring Hammer price of £23,000 (£28,750 including premium), pre-auction estimate £15,000-20,000 Lot 97 A 4.10 carat pear-shaped Fancy Yellow diamond ring Hammer price £25,000 (£31,250 including premium), pre-auction estimate £18,000-22,000 Lot 92 A certified 5.75 carat pear-shaped diamond pendant Hammer price of £13,000 (£16,250 including premium), pre-auction estimate £10,000-15,000

 

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