The Collection of Dame Shirley Bassey Beats its Top Estimate
As One of Her Watches Breaks a World Record
Pictures courtesy of Sotheby’s
** Results Summary ** The Paris Fine Jewels Sale Grossed Nearly 6.5 Million Euros The Collection of Dame Shirley Bassey CH, DBE Achieved Nearly 2.2 Million Euros Lot 173, A Cartier “Baignoire” Lady’s Gold Wristwatch Belonging to Dame Shirley Broke the World Record for the Reference Selling for 66,000 Euros *Paris Fine Jewels Sale Records Were Broken for*Lot 187, A Cartier Tutti Frutti Emerald and Ruby Bracelet Sold for 480,000 Euros Most Valuable Cartier Lot Ever Sold at Sotheby’s Paris, Lot 248, A Van Cleef and Arpels Sapphire and Diamond “Boucle” Bracelet Sold for 240,000 Euros Most Valuable Van Cleef & Arpels Bracelet Ever Sold at Sotheby’s Paris Lot 192, A Georges Fouquet Aquamarine, Onyx, and Diamond Brooch Sold for 126,000 Euros Most Valuable Georges Fouquet Lot Ever Sold at Sotheby’s Paris |
| The Fine Jewels sale which took place on 10th October, 2024, was the highest grossing jewellery auction ever offered at Sotheby’s Paris. Achieving an aggregate total of 6,480,480 Euros, it saw just over 50% of all lots sold selling above their high estimate and nearly 94% of all lots sold selling above their low estimate. Hundreds of keen bidders from nearly 40 different countries took part in the live sale either online, on the phone or in person. The star segment of the sale was the Collection of Dame Shirley Bassey which achieved nearly 2.2 million Euros aggregate (2,197,080 Euros), sailing past its top estimate of 2,087,100 Euros. In the process, it broke the world record for Lot 173, a plain lady’s Cartier “Baignoire” gold wristwatch selling for 66,000 Euros, a staggering 22 times its high estimate (1,500 – 3,000 Euros). Other highlights from the sale of the Collection of Dame Shirley Bassey includes: Lot 172, a vintage Van Cleef and Arpels diamond ring of cluster design with brilliant-cut diamonds (1960’s) gifted by Elton John sold for 48,000 Euros – more than 3 times its high estimate (10,000 – 15,000 Euros). Lot 174, a vintage diamond brooch designed as an openwork bow and decorated with foliate motifs and suspending tassels (circa 1905) sold for 162,000 Euros – nearly 5 times its high estimate (26,000 – 35,000 Euros). Lot 179, a Van Cleef and Arpels emerald and diamond necklace with detachable pendant bought by Dame Shirley for herself to commemorate her very first Royal Variety Performance in front of the late Queen sold for 174,000 Euros – more than twice its high estimate (50,000 – 70,000 Euros). The latest Paris Fine Jewels sale also realised a series of records for this own sale series by achieving the following:Most valuable Cartier lot ever sold at Sotheby’s Paris for lot 187, a Cartier Tutti Frutti emerald and ruby bracelet (circa 1928) which sold for 480,000 Euros (estimate 280,000 – 480,000 Euros) Most valuable Georges Fouquet lot ever sold at Sotheby’s Paris for lot 192, a Georges Fouquet aquamarine, onyx, and diamond brooch which sold for 126,000 Euros (estimate 50,000 – 100,000 Euros)Most valuable Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet ever sold at Sotheby’s Paris for lot 248, a Van Cleef and Arpels sapphire and diamond “Boucle” bracelet (1968) which sold for 240,000 Euros (estimate 140,000 – 240,000 Euros). |
