Diamonds Delight at Sotheby's.

19th Century Jewels

December 16, 2003

Sotheby's Lond - December 16, 2003 - Diamond Brooch designed as a Stylised flower
Diamond Brooch
Designed as a Styled Flower
Late 18th Century
Estimate 30,000 - 40,000
Š 2003 Sotheby's London - December 16, 2003 Jewels
Image Courtesy Sotheby's London

Diamonds, gold and silver form an impressive collection of 19th Century Jewelry which will be auctioned at Sotheby's London, New Bond Street locale.

These pieces are excellent examples of the changing influences and techniques used in jewelry manufacture and design through the nineteenth century.

France dominated the design, but thanks to the influence of Queen Victoria, who adored jewelry and wore a multitude of pieces throughout her reign, England began to have an influence on style during the 19th Century. The Industrial Revolution was on and a growing wealthy middleclass wanted jewelry to wear to demonstrate their new found prosperity.

Diamond Pendant / Brooch circa 1915
Of openwork design, millegrain-set with cushion-shaped,
circular and rose-cut diamonds
Estimate: Ł 4,000 - 6,000
Š 2003 Sotheby's London - December 16, 2003 Jewels
Image Courtesy Sotheby's London.

During the Edwardian era, thanks perhaps to the influence of Queen Alexandra on fashion with her love of fine clothing and jewelry, a new method of to display the jewels, preferably diamonds, began to become popular. Millegrain-set, in which extremely thin bands and miniscule grains of platinum are used, allowing the diamonds to shine on their own became very popular. Platinum settings were increasingly popular so the gems were shown at their very best.

Pair of Diamond Pendant Earrings circa 1800
Estimate Ł4,000 - 5,000
Š 2003 Sotheby's London - December 16, 2003 Jewels
Courtesy Sotheby's London

The quality of the master craftsmen are unparalleled and what one would expect from Sotheby's. During the times when it was popular for ladies to wear upswept hairstyles dangling earrings were ever popular to compliment their tresses.

Silver, Gold and Gem-Set Bracelet
Della Valle
Composed of textured gold and silver beads set with
circular-cut diamonds, pink and blue sapphires, rubies and green garnets.
Estimate Ł3,500 - 4,5,000
Š 2003 Sotheby's London - December 16, 2003 Jewels
Courtesy Sotheby's London

History:

Sotheby's has a long history in the Auction business and will celebrate a milestone anniversary on March 11, 2004, the 260th anniversary since the first sale by founder, Samuel Baker under his own name. In her early days the auction house focused exclusively on the sales of libraries and books such as the libraries of Prime Minster John Stanley and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

Auction Highlights of the past include the Goldschmidt collection of seven impressionist paintings in 1958. Organizers decided to add glamour to the event and held the first evening auction since the 1800's. Among the sales were Garçon au Gilet Rouge by Cézanne. The famous sale of the unmatched collection of the late Duchess of Windsor was held at Sotheby's in 1987.

For further information please contact:

Sotheby's Auction House at www.sothebys.com