Bonhams New Bond Street presents its London Jewels sale on 5 December, 2024. The 150-lot sale features a spectacular collection of jewellery from impressive single-owner collections including jewels from the Collection of Dame Joan Collins.
London Jewels spans the 18th to 21st centuries featuring fine natural pearls, certificated coloured diamonds and fine coloured gemstones including Burmese sapphires and rubies, Colombian emeralds and period pieces by coveted names of Boucheron, Bulgari, Cartier, Giuliano, Grima, Kutchinsky, Lalique, Mauboussin and Van Cleef & Arpels.
Leading the sale is a natural pearl, ruby and diamond necklace, originating from a private single-owner collection. The design features five strands of natural pearls graduating in size towards the centre, accented by a pair of ruby and diamond floral spacers. Each floral motif features a central old brilliant-cut diamond, issuing a radiating surround of oval-cut rubies with single-cut diamond accents, the pavé-set brilliant and single-cut diamond petals are further accented by baguette-cut diamonds. Offered with an estimate of £150,000-250,000.
Another notable lot is a sapphire and diamond necklace, from the mid-19th century originating from a private UK collection. Designed as a graduated series of openwork plaques, each centrally set with a cushion or oval-cut sapphire of Sri Lankan origin, surrounded by cushion and pear-shaped diamonds, connected by cushion and rose-cut diamond-set coronette and figure eight knot links, the clasp set with a sapphire cabochon. Offered with an estimate of £75,000-100,000.
Kate Flitcroft, Bonhams Co-Head of Department, Jewellery, UK, commented:“Our London Jewels sale features several single-owner collections of antique and signed 20th century jewels. Leading the sale is a superb five-strand natural pearl necklace and a 1.77cts Fancy Intense Green diamond ring by Boodles. Other highlights include a 19th century sapphire and diamond necklace and a circa 1830s Light Pink diamond ring with a charming heart-shaped diamond surround. Striking private collections of post-war pieces by Grima and Kutchinsky also feature alongside a wide variety of jewels by coveted names such as Boucheron, Bulgari, Cartier, Giuliano, Lalaounis, Lalique, Mauboussin, Masriera, Sterlé and Van Cleef & Arpels. We’re also proud to present a selection of jewels from the Collection of Dame Joan Collins which includes three of her cherished pieces by Buccellati, all set with diamonds and coloured gems.”
London Jewelsincludes eight jewels from the Collection of Dame Joan Collins, the British stage, film and television actress, accomplished producer, and a published author. She made her stage debut at the age of nine and made her first British film at seventeen, within one year of leaving RADA in London. Dame Joan has performed on Broadway, the West End, and in national tours across the UK and North America. Joan was awarded an OBE for her services to the arts in 1997 and in 2015, she was made a DBE for her lifetime contribution to charitable causes. Dame Joan is passionately committed to many charitable organizations with a particular focus on women, children, and the family unit.
Notable lots from the Collection of Dame Joan Collins include three exceptional Buccellati designs:
- A Mario Buccellati ruby and diamond collar necklace, circa 1960. Each square plaque is set with a ruby cabochon, accented by single-cut diamonds and finely engraved texture in the rigato style. Offered with an estimate of £12,000-18,000.
- A pair of Buccellati ruby and diamond pendent earrings, circa 1965. Offered with an estimate of £7,000-10,000.
- A Buccellati heliodor dress ring, circa 1960. The oval-cut heliodor is set between engraved bicoloured foliate shoulders. Offered with an estimate of £6,000-8,000.
London Jewels includes significant coloured diamonds:
- Boodles diamond and coloured diamond ring, from 2016. The design features a radiant-cut Fancy Intense Green diamond, of SI1 clarity, weighing 1.77 carats, the gallery and crossover surround are pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds. Offered with an estimate of £100,000-150,000.
Image courtesy of Bonhams
