Stunning jewellery highlights Melbourne spring auction
Author: Richard Brewster | Posted: 16th November, 2021
Several pieces of stunning jewellery are among the highlights of Melbourne-based Gibson’s Auctions last live sale for 2021 – the Spring Auction Series, from 11am Sunday November 21 at 885-889 High Street, Armadale – many of which would make ideal Christmas presents.
Most impressive and not for the faint-hearted is a Colombian emerald and diamond three-stone ring, comprising a 2.0-carat emerald flanked by two old cut 1.6-carat diamonds (lot 654) with a catalogue estimate of $25,000-$35,000.
Almost as endearing is a substantial Victorian ruby and diamond brooch designed as an embellished cross featuring an old cushion cut diamond estimated at 1.4 carats and four faceted rubies at one carat (lot 622).
Other jewellery items of note include an octagonal diamond and ruby set bangle (lot 632), and emerald and diamond plaque ring (lot 631) and a diamond and gold three stone ring (lot 650).
One of the major auction attractions is a 1957 Jean Cocteau and Egidio Costantini Trinita “Omaggio” vase (lot 769) with a catalogue estimate of $6000-$8000 and accompanied by the original authenticity certificate from Signoretti International in Murano, Venice, where it was purchased in 1993.
A French poet, playwright, novelist, designer, filmmaker, visual artist and critic, Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) is best known for several novels, including Les Enfants Terrible (1929), stage plays such as La Voix Humane (1930) and films like Beauty and the Beast (1946) – and was an important exponent of avant-garde art.
An interesting item is a silver presentation pocket watch (lot 661) given to chief officer of the 1916 Aurora Relief Expedition, Clarence Peterson de la Motte, for his part in the mission to rescue the Ross Sea survivors of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated trans Antarctic journey – and for which he was awarded the Bronze Polar Medal.
Among the furniture on offer is a suite of circa 1790 George III dining chairs with finely carved Prince of Wales feather backs (lot 598) made by famous manufacturer Gillows of Lancaster and London, known as Gillows & Co and founded about 1730 by Robert Gillows (1704-1772).
A 19th/20th century green enamelled dragon dish carrying the Hongzhi mark (lot 552) is among porcelain and ceramic highlights and a pair of white jade wine cups (lot 528) is symptomatic of some of the jade offerings.
Absolutely breathtaking is a large amber Murano glass chandelier (lot 790) from the contents of Toorak mansion Trawalla, whose interior was designed by the late Stuart Rattle.
