"Hayle Bishop Valentine whose day this is
All the Ayre is thy Diocese
And all the chirping Queristers
And other birds ar thy parishioners
Thou marryest every yeare”
John Donne (Epithalamion Vpon Frederick Count Palatine and the Lady Elizabeth marryed on St. Valentines day) (1613)
T his Saint Valentine’s Day, we have a special treat in store for you. Instead of relying on the old failsafes - a box of chocolates, a spa voucher or mail order bouquets, we invite you to peruse our Luxury Edit, a global celebration of vintage luxury goods, unique objects to inspire curiosity, joy and love.
But as with everything in life, one size does not fit all neither does one gift befit everyone. With this in mind, and to ensure your token of adoration does not go amiss, we have compiled this handy reference guide for your assistance, to match up some of the finest objects in our sales with your paramour. Let love, as Lenny Kravitz once so wisely put it, rule.
'Tick, tock, what time is it?’ asked doo-wop greats The Jive Five in their eponymous 1962 hit. ‘It’s time for - love!’ came the reply. And as any well-dressed man knows, you can’t be late for that all-important date, Valentine’s Day or not. So, don’t keep that special person in your life waiting - clock these beautiful timepieces, just some of the highlights from our Fine Watches sale and current Marketplace offers.
'When I want to treat myself,' chanteuse Coco Jones once reflected 'I will almost always get myself a new handbag'. Here at Sotheby's, we too hold handbags close to our hearts. Check out our selection of bags, spanning the storied and historic, to the shamelessly opulent and iconic.
Choose from a selection of rare and vintage cinema posters in our Original Film Posters sale. From ultra-rare examples of classic Hollywood noir (Saul Bass’s iconic design for Hitchcock’s Vertigo) to evergreen franchises (The endless Star Wars series) the cineaste in your life will fall in love with their favourite movies all over again (and you too, of course, for being such a thoughtful person).
Jewels are the ultimate expression of devotion, love and bonding. And our selection of rare, beautiful gems not only shimmers like none other, each item possesses a unique history spanning years, decades or centuries, sourced from across the world, from distinguished collections and institutions to cherished family heirlooms. This February, London Fine Jewels will offer a selection of extraordinary jewels for discerning collectors looking for rare and iconic designs by houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier and Boucheron. Enjoy this handpicked selection from our sales and make your loved one's Valentine's Day one to remember.
