We are thrilled to announce that on the 8th of December 2020 in Sydney, the highly anticipated Important Jewels auction became our most successful sale to date, realising a total of $2,337,250 IBP across 99 lots. The collection was curated by Hamish Sharma, our recently appointed Head of Important Jewels, and included a diverse selection of magnificent diamonds, signed designer pieces and impressive coloured stones, both vintage and modern.
Managing Director John Albrecht took to the rostrum as bidders joined the auction in the room, live on the internet, over the telephone or via absentee bid to acquire the covetable jewels and timepieces. Hamish Sharma says, “People flocked to the viewing of this collection, and I was pleased to be able to present them with jewels of unsurpassed quality to suit their individual tastes, from extraordinary diamonds like lot 60 to more decorative, cocktail pieces like lots 129 and 130. I am thrilled with the result.”
The cover lot of the auction, lot 21, a spectacular 18ct gold, fancy coloured sapphire, emerald and diamond ‘Sapphire Flower’ bracelet by Bulgari circa 2004, was much admired during the viewing and proved to be extremely popular on the evening of the auction, with a telephone bidder finally out-bidding someone in the room at $181,250 IBP against an estimate of $75,000-100,000.
Other notable results included lot 60, an extraordinary 11 carat square emerald cut diamond ring that sold for $312,500 IBP, lot 31, a very rare 14.32 carat unheated Burmese sapphire and diamond ring that realised $137,500 IBP and lot 51, an outstanding platinum and 18ct gold and diamond necklace by revered designer David Webb, circa 1950, that sold for $118,750 IBP.
The collection of timepieces drew significant international interest. Lot 209, a fine and very rare 18ct gold wristwatch by Patek Philippe from 1923 was one of the watchmaker’s very earliest designs and near impossible to acquire today. It was consigned by a client who was surprised to learn of its true value, and competitive bidding for the timepiece saw it sell for $13,750 IBP, well surpassing the estimate of $3,000-5,000.
Leonard Joel’s next Important Jewels Auction is scheduled to take place in Sydney on the 20th of April 2021, and consignments are now being invited.