I had a very interesting conversation with Alex Eblen of Leslie Hindman auctioneers recently about the auction house’s upcoming September jewelry sale.
My love for browsing jewelry auctions online predates Diamonds in the Library, but actually talking to Leslie Hindman’s in-house jewelry specialist about the sale lent the event a whole new perspective. We immediately spent 15 full minutes rhapsodizing about the show’s cover piece, an aquamarine and diamond necklace believed to be the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Alex went on to tell me about Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ philosophy, which helped explain the diversity of their sales: it’s their practice to try to accept as much of their sources’ estates as possible, rather than selecting just the top one or two pieces, like some auction houses would. This not only means that they have a loyal repeat customer base to source from to them (because who wouldn’t choose the auction house who is more likely to accept everything?) but it also means that their sales have a wide variety of lot types and price points.
Our focus today is the upcoming September jewelry sale, which is split over two days, the 11th and the 12th. It boasts by a profusion of noteworthy pieces, especially concentrated in the Georgian to Art Deco eras and again in the funky 1960’s-1970’s.
If you’re in NYC, definitely go check out the auction preview, which is happening in the Big Apple next week, from August 22nd-24th.
Here are some of the lots that caught my eye:
Lot 89: An Important Platinum, Aquamarine and Diamond Necklace, Tiffany & Co., Circa 1915.
This is the aquamarine and diamond piece that Alex was telling me about over the phone – the one believed to be by Louis Comfort Tiffany – and it’s just as wonderful as I imagined it would be. This intricate platinum masterpiece dates to 1915 and incorporates 132.52 carats of aquamarines and 3.18 carats of diamonds.
Aquamarine is my birthstone and I do accept gifts.
Lot 40: A Carved Coral Flexible Bracelet, Circa Mid 19th Century.
Lot 210: A Platinum, Diamond and Emerald Ring.
Lot 235: A Yellow Gold, Diamond and Emerald Ring.
Lot 209: A Platinum, Emerald and Diamond Eternity Band.
Lot 110: An Art Deco Platinum, Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring, Tiffany & Co.
Lot 261: A Platinum, Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring
Lot 194: A Platinum, Diamond and Emerald Ring, Oscar Heyman Brothers.
These emerald and diamond rings are all pretty spectacular, but I think the Oscar Heyman swirl is my favorite. I love the precision of the way the gems are set.
My very favorite part – which I love even more than the small marquise stones on the sides and the stunning 4.72 carat center stone – is the perfect, diamond-set ribbonlike design of the shank, culminating in the perfect criss cross on the bottom. This kind of dynamic, static design that feels like it’s in motion is a signature look for Sterlé.
