Bonhams International Auction House is currently having their Knightsbridge Jewels Online auction in London. This is an online only auction which starts today, June 10th, 2020 and is scheduled to run until June 23rd, 2020.
While Bonhams holds more than 150 auctions annually at their Knightsbridge, London location, it is their Knightsbridge Jewels sale which is a much-anticipated event for collectors and lovers of fine and high jewelry all over the world. Since this auction is an online only event, it is accessible all the time for jewelry connoisseurs and collectors alike, to peruse as well as to bid. In addition, the jewels on offer include pieces from renowned jewelry houses such as Bulgari, Cartier, Graff, Piaget and Tiffany & Co. to name a few.
It’s quite easy to register online for bidding at Bonhams online auctions. You start with creating an account with Bonhams. Once the account is set up, online bids can be placed on your preferred lots as and when you like, right up to the last day of the sale.
My interest in the auction, of course, was focused on pearl jewelry pieces and three lots made their iridescent way to my heart. Here they are:
Lot 12, A Pair of Cultured Freshwater Pearl and Diamond Ear Pendants, Schilling
Estimate: £700-900 ; $1,200-1,500 CAD
Drop shaped cultured Freshwater pearls suspended from a diamond spray surmount, these pendant earrings are as elegant as they are stylish. The diamond sprays have been crafted with white tapered-baguette and single-cut diamonds which have a total diamond weight of approximately 1.00 ct. The sprays are designed to evoke flow and movement and terminate in two beautiful drop-shaped freshwater pearls. The pearls have a sharp, mirror-like lustre and white to creamy white colour. Bearing a Schilling signature, these ear pendants have a soft and slightly romantic feel to them. With an overall length of 3.5 cm, I see them easily going from daytime wear to evening dress up. The ear pendants have the maker’s signature.
Lot 23 : A Cultured Pearl Necklace with a Citrine Clasp and A Pair of Cultured Pearl Ear Clips, By Fernand Demaret, Circa 1985
Estimate: £2,000-3,000 ; $ 3,400-5,100 CAD
When I first saw this set of cultured pearl necklace and ear clips , I was so entranced by the colours, craftsmanship and verve of this piece, I had to look at it again to fully understand and appreciate its unique beauty. The necklace is very typical of Fernand Demaret’s style of jewelry design. Consisting of a single-strand of freshwater treated cultured pearls of grey tint with an eye catching gold clasp, this necklace is really quite stunning. The abstract form of the clasp with mechanical motifs, accented by two step-cut citrines, is juxtaposed to great effect against the organic forms and grey colour of the freshwater pearls.
Alongside the necklace, this lot includes a pair of ear clips which are also abstract in form and are set with a 9.5 mm cultured pearsl of grey tint. The ear clips are missing pendent drops, which I believe can be easily remedied with the help of an expert jeweler. Even so, they are lovely. All in all, I would say that this is a very impactful set where each separate element is beautiful on its own, but everything comes together to create a piece of jewelry which is quite remarkable. Both pieces have Demaret maker’s mark ; necklace length 44.1 cm, ear clips, 3.0 cm.
Lot 42: A Cultured Pearl and Diamond Necklace
Estimate: £1,500-2,000 : $2,600-3400 CAD
This is a classic graduated white cultured pearl necklace with a lovely diamond barrel clasp. The pearls are near round and semi-round in shape and range in size from 10.5 mm to 12,5 mm. Their creamy white colour and lovely glowing lustre makes you really want to put them on! The brilliant-cut diamond barrel clasp also caught my attention. The details are superb – brilliant pavé-set diamonds in four adjacent circles make up the barrel clasp. There is a certain sophistication and glamour in this necklace which can only be found in a classic graduated white pearl necklace. Length of necklace 46.0cm
To be honest, there is a lot to choose from at Bonhams’ Knightsbridge Jewels Auction. While my initial focus was on pearl jewelry pieces, I was totally mesmerized by several other lots, including a gorgeous Chanel Gem-Set Flower Ring as well as a very pretty Diamond Spray Brooch. From necklaces and ear clips sets to solitaire rings and striking brooches, this sale has something for every taste and style.
These are the jewelry pieces which caught my eye. Which pieces did you like best from Bonhams Knightsbridge Jewels Online auction? Please share in the comments below 🙂
To access the auction, please follow the link: Bonhams Knightsbridge Jewels Online
All images used in this post are the property of Bonhams 1793. Any person or organization not affiliated with Bonhams 1793 may not use, copy, alter or modify any of the images used in this post, without the advance written permission of Bonhams 1793.
