S tart your summer on a high note with our fantastic sale of Fine Jewels. This June edition includes iconic designs by David Webb, Cartier, Bulgari, and Van Cleef & Arpels, alluring diamond and colored diamond pieces and head-turning, statement contemporary jewels by de Grisogono and Tony Duquette. A wide array of eye-catching and important colored stones are also on offer and will be sure to impress wearers and observers alike. Happy shopping!
This Spring Sotheby’s Luxury Division is pleased to bring together the finest examples of jewelry, watches, handbags, wine and design. Be sure to visit our exhibition opening on 4 June to take part in this landmark week of events.
Over the top. More is more. Exotic excess. These are phrases which accurately describe the lavish, fantastic world of American artist and designer Tony Duquette, whose extraordinary oeuvre encompassed theatrical costume, sets for the stage and screen, interiors, and of course, jewelry.
Not simply a designer, Tony Duquette was a dreamer more interested in beauty than luxury, a vision reflected by his audacious and unorthodox combining of periods, materials and colors. In his West Hollywood studio Duquette famously juxtaposed 18th Century French antiques with gilded trees and a ceiling covered with plastic serving trays. The Tony Duquette Studios opened in 1956 and became the legendary venue in which the artist feted entertainment and social luminaries.
Duquette’s jewelry is distinguished by his bold use of color and volume. Collier-style necklaces designed as mosaics of richly colored stones like lot 301, made of rich blue sapphire beads accented with diamonds, make a bold statement. His pieces require (or inspire) confidence and style in the wearer. Hutton Wilkson, who was Tony Duquette’s business partner and design collaborator for thirty years, sums up Duquette’s philosophy: “If it’s not fabulous, it’s meaningless.”
Put your best foot forward at your summer soirées with bold, gold jewelry. From fabulous pendants to statement earrings and whimsical necklaces, gold reigns king! Click through for highlights from Bulgari, David Webb, Cartier and Lalounis that look fantastic worn alone or layered up together.
Bracelets command attention. Worn throughout history by powerful men and women, they can serve as beautiful armor and exhibit actual or idealized character traits of the wearer. Wide brand and cuff-bracelets, embellished with textured metal details and gemstones, serve as a form of protection, exhibiting confidence and strength, their bold splendor captivating the wearer and admirers alike. The Art Deco bracelet, with its intricate open work and stylized design elements, as detailed as a medieval tapestry, can be worn on its own or layered with others, is inexplicably chic and timeless. No matter the material, worn day or night, alone or in multiples, bracelets are a collection essential and a forever jewel.
A little bit of color goes a long way. Our June sale is filled with head-turning jewels of almost every hue you can dream up. Looking for turquoise baubles perfect for a poolside party? How about a vibrant emerald ring and similar jewel toned JAR earlclips? Whether you gravitate toward faceted color stones, chunky cabochons, beads or beautifully applied enamel, we have you covered!
