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DIAMOND AND COLOURED DIAMOND 'TOI ET MOI' RING, EARLY 20TH CENTURY
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
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Description
Claw-set with a circular-cut tinted brown and near colourless diamond weighing 2.19 and 1.85 carats respectively, the mount set with circular-cut and rose diamonds, size G.
Provenance
Adele Bloch-Bauer and thence by family descent.
Condition
In our specialists' opinion, the near colourless diamond weighing 1.85 carats is approximately J-K colour, SI1 clarity. The tinted brown diamond weighing approximately 2.19 carats is approximately SI2 clarity, with an extra facet. Remaining diamonds bright and lively. Surface scratches to metal surfaces and areas of light discolouration consistent with age and wear. Overall in good condition. Gross weight approximately 5 grams. Accompanied by case.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Helen Marie Stutzova (1905-1974), daughter of Eduard and Ružena Stutz, was brought up in Prague, at ‘Das Rosel Haus’ which was considered by the artistic community as a focal point for exchange of ideas. She spent her formative years in Prague, Lausanne and London, where culture, social skills and the English language were her main subjects of learning.In 1926, having returned from London to Prague, she married Kurt Fanta, who was a young employee in one of his family’s sugar factories.
They were gifted the diamond ring upon their wedding day by Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer, a banker and sugar manufacturer, husband to Adele Bloch-Bauer and first cousin to Kurt’s mother Elly Fanta (née Koenigswerther). Adele was the subject of the portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, also known as the iconic Woman in Gold, painted and immortalized by the Austrian Secessionist Gustav Klimt, completed in 1907.
In 1929 Helen and Kurt‘s daughter, Charlotte Reneé Fanta-Stutz, was born. A couple of years later however, Helen and Kurt drifted apart, and in 1937 they divorced. Helen then met and fell in love with Frederich Mayer, who would later become her second husband and stepfather to Charlotte.
As World War II approached, Helen and her daughter fled to England in 1939 and reunited with Frederich. They married the same year. Charlotte, now Charlotte Mayer, began her education and career as a sculptor in 1945. Charlotte found inspiration from the remarkable versatility of her grandmother Ružena, who was a sculptor, violinist and biologist. It is said Ružena was a trend setter breaking with traditional convention, wearing trousers and volunteering as a bricklayer for her own house. It was in Villa Stutz Charlotte’s creative ideas was nurtured and she made her first carvings using walnuts.
Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, painted by Gustav Klimt and completed in 1907, was commissioned by Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer. The portrait represents Klimt’s final works of the golden phase, and one of two depictions of Adele. The painting looted by the Nazi’s, was one out of five of Klimt’s paintings, taken from the Bloch-Bauer family.
The painting was inherited by Ferdinand’s niece, Maria Altmann, in 2006, following eight years of legal dispute against the Republic of Austria. The painting was shortly afterwards displayed at the Los Angeles County Museum and sold the same year to the business man and art collector Ronald Lauder, and now hangs in New York Neue Galerie.
They were gifted the diamond ring upon their wedding day by Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer, a banker and sugar manufacturer, husband to Adele Bloch-Bauer and first cousin to Kurt’s mother Elly Fanta (née Koenigswerther). Adele was the subject of the portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, also known as the iconic Woman in Gold, painted and immortalized by the Austrian Secessionist Gustav Klimt, completed in 1907.
In 1929 Helen and Kurt‘s daughter, Charlotte Reneé Fanta-Stutz, was born. A couple of years later however, Helen and Kurt drifted apart, and in 1937 they divorced. Helen then met and fell in love with Frederich Mayer, who would later become her second husband and stepfather to Charlotte.
As World War II approached, Helen and her daughter fled to England in 1939 and reunited with Frederich. They married the same year. Charlotte, now Charlotte Mayer, began her education and career as a sculptor in 1945. Charlotte found inspiration from the remarkable versatility of her grandmother Ružena, who was a sculptor, violinist and biologist. It is said Ružena was a trend setter breaking with traditional convention, wearing trousers and volunteering as a bricklayer for her own house. It was in Villa Stutz Charlotte’s creative ideas was nurtured and she made her first carvings using walnuts.
Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, painted by Gustav Klimt and completed in 1907, was commissioned by Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer. The portrait represents Klimt’s final works of the golden phase, and one of two depictions of Adele. The painting looted by the Nazi’s, was one out of five of Klimt’s paintings, taken from the Bloch-Bauer family.
The painting was inherited by Ferdinand’s niece, Maria Altmann, in 2006, following eight years of legal dispute against the Republic of Austria. The painting was shortly afterwards displayed at the Los Angeles County Museum and sold the same year to the business man and art collector Ronald Lauder, and now hangs in New York Neue Galerie.