Early news about the upcoming jewellery, silver and watches sessions to be held on 6th August 2008
Stephan Welz & Co., in association with Sotheby’s, have confirmed the bulk of the content of two auction sessions focusing on jewellery, watches and silver, to be held on 6th August 2008, at 10.00 am and 3.00 pm. Viewing will be held on the preceding Friday (from noon to 5.00 pm), Saturday (from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm), Sunday (from 10 am to 1.00 pm and from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm) and Monday (from 10 am to 1.00 pm). All viewing sessions and the actual auctions will be held at the company’s rooms, 13 Biermann Avenue, corner Oxford Road, Rosebank, Johannesburg.
On 5th August 2008, there will be two sessions of paintings, at 2.00 pm and at 7.00 pm. Then, on the Wednesday, the jewellery section starts the third session of the sale at 10.00 am with a number of diamonds with certificates from either EGL, DIA or The Jewellery Council of South Africa. Pre-sale estimates range from R3000 to R110 000, some lots being of set stones and some loose. The two most important are firstly, Lot 388, a solitaire diamond ring of 2,0320cts, claw-set with a round brilliant-cut diamond, set in 18ct white gold and with a pre-sale estimate of R90 000 – R120 000. It is accompanied by EGL certificate no. 80200699/49050, stating that the diamond is a J Colour and VS1 Clarity. Secondly, is Lot 390, a solitaire diamond ring of 2,15cts, claw-set with a round brilliant-cut diamond, set in 18ct white and yellow gold, (R110 000 – R130 000). The accompanying Jewellery Council of South Africa certificate no. 38394, states that the diamond is an H Colour and a VVS1 Clarity.
.The next section is dedicated to period jewellery, starting with pieces from the mid 19th century on up to the most modern, a lot from the 1940’s. Of particular note is the large number of Victorian period pieces. Then, from the attractive array of lovely Edwardian pieces from around 1905, comes a beautiful pair of sapphire and diamond flowerhead earrings (Lot 432, R15 000 – R18 000), an Edwardian two-stone ring, set in platinum (Lot 433, R10 000 – R15 000), and one of the favourites of the Head of the Jewellery Department, an Edwardian diamond pendant/brooch set in platinum. This unusual piece can be converted into a pendant or brooch and has its original screwdriver.
The session also boasts a significant selection of ever-popular Art Deco pieces from the 1930’s. Typical is an Art Deco plaque ring (Lot 436, R12 000 – R15 000) and an Art Deco sapphire and diamond plaque brooch (Lot 438, R 8000 – R12 000). Another favourite on the sale is a suite of jewellery from the 1940’s. This period is becoming more collectable and attracting increased attention from collectors with an eye for investment potential. Lot 443 is worthy of note, being a suite of jewellery items with maker's mark SAS, comprising a necklace (numbered 71259), a ring, a pair of dress clips (numbered 6984) and a bangle (numbered 40439), each of stylised scrolled form set with a row of baguette-cut garnets, in 18ct gold. The pre-sale estimate is R45 000 – R65 000.
Moving on to the modern section, a number of solitaire diamond rings will be auctioned in the pre-sale estimate range of R6 000 to R65 000. There are two Jenna Clifford lots, namely Lot 469, a tanzanite and diamond bracelet (R12 000 – R15 000) and lot 470, a diamond cluster ring (R12 000 – R15 000). Two diamond tennis bracelets, Lot 485 (R25 000 – R35 000) and Lot 436 (R40 000 – R60 000) are likely to attract spirited bidding. There are also a number of different types of rings to suit all tastes.
The jewellery section ends with unset gemstones including Lot 581, an oval mix-cut tanzanite, weighing 20,818cts (with certificate) pre-sale estimated at R40 000 – R60 000.
Apart from featuring an attractive selection of gold pocket watches from R2 500 to R8 000, the auction also mirrors the mood evidenced in major overseas auctions with a number of highly collectable wristwatches including Patek Philippe, Rolex, Jaeger Le Coultre, Cartier, Piaget, Omega, Bulgari and Hermes. The most significant is Lot 676, a boxed 18ct gold gentleman’s wristwatch by Patek Philippe 'The Officer', numbered 2863048, reference number 3960, accompanied by a leather bound case, card cover, a commemorative 150th anniversary medal and certificates with a pre-sale estimate of R70 000 – R90 000. This lot comes from a limited series of 2000 watches produced in yellow gold to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Patek Philippe. The tools that were used for the manufacturing of this series have been destroyed. This lot reminds us that on 1st May 1839, Antoine de Patek founded the firm of Patek which produced high quality pocket watches and in 1845 J.A Philippe joined the firm. Patek Philippe & Co. was founded in 1851. They made their first wristwatch in 1868. In the 150 year history of the company, they have produced approximately 600 000 timepieces.
In the clock section, of particular interest is Lot 681, a Viennese enamelled timepiece from the late 19th century, pre-sale estimated at R4 000 - R6 000.
As the sale proceeds, the interest continues, with Lot 591, a late Victorian electroplate candelabrum (R5 000 - R7 000), an electroplate centrepiece, Walker & Hall, also late Victorian (Lot 592, R2 000 – R3 000) and Lot 593, a charming Art Nouveau pewter and glass claret jug (R5 000 - R7 000)
Christofle is well featured, as well, with lots including a pair of French electroplate nut dishes (Lot 601, R3 000 – R4 000); two French electroplate wine coolers (Lot 602, R4 000 – R6 000); a set of four French Electroplate trays (Lot 604, R5 000 - R7 000) and Lot 606, a canteen of French electroplate cutlery with a pre-sale estimate of R 6000 - R8 000.
In the English silver section, featured is the important Queen Anne silver tankard, Francis Garthorne, London, probably 1708 (Lot 617, R40 000 - R60 000). Also highlighted is a George III silver tea caddy, William Vincent, London, 1775 (Lot 618, R14 000 - R16 000) and a pair of George III silver candlesticks, maker's mark IP&Co., Sheffield, probably 1787, (Lot 619, R15 000 - R20 000).
The Head of the Jewellery & Silver Department rounded off the preview of the auction by mentioning another of her favourites, Lot 622, a Mid-Victorian silver ewer, George Fox, London, 1863, with a pre-sale estimate of R8 000 - R12 000.
For further information, please contact: Eva Miklas
Stephan Welz & Company, in association with Sotheby’s.
011 880 3125
|
