G eneva’s sale of Fine Jewels presents a selection of Fine Jewels for discerning collectors looking for rare and iconic designs, with pieces ranging from the mid-19th century through to contemporary designs from houses such as Boivin, Bulgari and Cartier.
Bejewelled, elaborate and delicate; the vanity case is the essence of elegance. An embellished case that serves many different roles, the vanity case is both clutch and compact case allowing for ultimate yet discrete storage for one’s accessories. Since the 1930s, the greatest jewellery houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Tiffany, Cartier, Chaumet, Schlumberger, Lacloche, Boivin, Mauboussin and Buccellatti, have all have created styles of these precious cases that have reflected trends from Art Deco, to Art Nouveau, Cubism to Bauhaus.
In the 1930s, Charles Arpels noticed his friend, the American heiress Florence Gould, throwing her lipstick, cigarette lighter, powder and a few bank notes in a Lucky Strike tin box. After seeing this, Arpels invented the vanity case as the ultimate solution.
Miniatures demonstrate the most elevated type of craftsmanship; from the inside to the outside, engineering these precious objects took time and patience. Upon opening a vanity case, you can see there is place for everything. A lipstick holder, a pair of glasses, mirror, comb, cigarette lighter and powder compact can all unfold in the most streamlined way. Each accessory has its place; there is no wasted space. Creating these precious works of art was an exact science that required the most skilled of craftsman.
Discover a unique collection of jewels by renowned jeweller Michele della Valle showcasing Michele’s signature style, drawing inspiration from the natural world, and incorporating both classic and unconventional gemstones to create dramatic, unique visions in a kaleidoscope of colour.
Continuing the recent success of the Sotheby’s Graff capsule collections, we are pleased to present another selection of jewels by the famed diamantaire. For more than 50 years, the House of Graff has represented some of the world’s rarest gemstones.
Charismatic and visionary founder Laurence Graff’s extraordinary success rests on his innate understanding of diamonds and his insistence on perfectly proportioned cuts, optimizing the brilliance, color and overall quality of every stone he handles.
