Bonhams will host a significant single-owner-online sale from June 9 – June 20 featuring a selection of property from the estate of esteemed American artist, jeweler and philanthropist Sidney Mobell (1926-2022).
The jeweler was the owner of Sidney Mobell jewelry with two boutiques in San Francisco located in the Fairmont Hotel and within the prestigious Shreve & Co. Jewelers in San Francisco. A firm favorite among both the San Francisco social set and Hollywood glitterati, clients included
Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Danielle Steel, Senator Dianne Feinstein, San Francisco
Chief of Protocol Charlotte Shultz, Governor Gavin Newsom. With his Midas touch, Mobell
transformed the ordinary, everyday items into the extraordinary, creating works of art using gemstones and precious metals. One of his first jeweled creations was a gold replica
Mickey Mouse watch, which led to a commission from the Disney family. From then on, he
released a gem-studded object every year. With an exceptional imagination, his works
include a gold and gemstone-studded toilet, a gumball machine, a gold mousetrap,
and a gold Monopoly set which was awarded a Guinness Book of World Records for the
world’s most expensive Monopoly game in 1998. The Bonhams 60-lot single-owner
online sale will include personal items from Mobell’s estate including many of his cult
items and fine jewelry.
Leading the sale is a 24K Gold, Gold-Plated, Gem-Set and Diamond Slot Machine,
circa 1981. Redecorated from a 1925 Art Deco slot machine and set throughout with
multiple sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds. The piece of art is accompanied by
gold-plated American Liberty Head coins and is offered with an estimate of US$20,000-
30,000.
Another exceptional lot is a Sidney Mobell 23K gold plated and gem-set Monopoly
game. The game includes the board, dice, tokens, cards, hotels, houses, dice cup and
play money printed in metallic paper. Offered with an estimate of US$3,000-5,000.
