“Celebrating Jewellery” shows world’s most iconic pieces
October 7, 2012 – A new book entitled “Celebrating Jewellery”, by Sotheby’s experts David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti, looks at some of the greatest and most iconic pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The lavishly-illustrated volume features not only some of the finest jewels in the world, but also unusual and fascinating creations drawn from the last 200 years of design.
The book encompasses jewels that are synonymous with style and luxury, from the formal tiaras, suites and ornaments of the Victorians through to the innovations of Belle Époque and Revivalism, to the geometric and linear designs of the Art Deco movement, and the bold, colourful jewels of the late twentieth century.
Many of the great jewellery designers and manufacturers are represented, including Boivin, Boucheron, Bulgari, Cartier, Castellani, Chaumet, Giuliano, Herz-Belperron, JAR, Lalique, Lemonnier, Schlumberger, Van Cleef & Arpels and Vever. Each jewel is shown in detail, with a text explaining the history and background to its design.
Some of the jewels are instantly recognisable, such as the Cartier flamingo brooch and the panther bracelet created for the Duchess of Windsor. Others were made to express the power and grandeur of European royalty, or commissioned to adorn aristocratic beauties and great courtesans of the day.
While others are simply exceptionally beautiful examples of the jeweller’s art – creations which continue to give immense interest and pleasure to this day.
David Bennett is Chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division for Europe and the Middle East and has been involved in Sotheby’s most important jewellery collections and sales held during the past 30 years.
These include the 1987 auction of the Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor, the world record sale in 2010 of the Graff Pink diamond which fetched CHF 45.4 million ($46.2 million) as well as the sale of jewels of historical importance like the Beau Sancy, which achieved CHF 9 million ($9,7 million) in May 2012.
Daniela Mascetti joined Sotheby’s in 1980, later opening the firm’s Jewellery department in Milan. Now based in Geneva, she serves as Senior Specialist Worldwide.
Involved with all aspects of jewellery appraisal, Ms Mascetti has been closely involved with a number of exceptional jewellery sales, including the sales of such collections as those of the Duchess of Windsor, Thurn und Taxis, Hélène Beaumont and Elton John.
