A diamond and sapphire pansy pin was the auction’s top lot at $30,550.
Diamond and ruby leaf pin, $19,975.
NEW YORK CITY – Doyle New York’s important estate jewelry auction on September 25 set strong prices and surpassed the pre-sale estimate, with 96 percent of the 508 lots selling by value.
Despite having been rescheduled from an earlier date, the sale was characterized by extremely heavy telephone bidding and strong competition from a crowded salesroom, with many lots selling well beyond estimates. The sale included jewels from the estate of New York socialite Dorothy Streslin and featured creations by such prestigious designers as Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels.
The auction had been originally scheduled for 10 am on the morning of September 11, the day of the horrible tragedies that befell New York City and our nation. As a result, the sale was immediately rescheduled and Doyle set about contacting all of its consignors and database of jewelry buyers. A special exhibition was arranged for September 24, and the sale went on the block the next day.
“We are pleased with the success of this sale and the high prices that were achieved,” said Laura Doyle, director of the jewelry department. “When the auction was postponed, we worked very hard to ensure that jewelry buyers from around the world knew of the new date and would be able to participate.”
A special section featured more than 80 pieces of glamorous jewelry from the estate of Strelsin, a legendary beauty and one of Manhattan’s “super-hostesses” of the 1960s and 70s. Strelsin’s sophisticated eye for classic design and exceptional quality is reflected in the fact that nine of the auction’s top ten lots were from her collection.
The top lot was a diamond pansy pin centered with assorted calibre-cut sapphires that sold for $30,550, well beyond its estimate of $8/12,000. Other brooches from the Strelsin estate that performed over estimate were a diamond and ruby pin in the shape of a crescent, signed Van Cleef & Arpels, that realized $21,150 (est 6/9,000), and a timeless flexible diamond bow pin that brought $18,800. Two lots featured on the cover of the catalogue, a beautiful pave diamond swan pin with a mother-of-pearl body and two elegant Van Cleef & Arpels diamond wave pins, were purchased for $11,162 and $18,800 respectively.
A diamond and fiery red ruby leaf pin commanded a price of $19,975 (est $3/5,000). Competition was also lively for a diamond, carved ruby and emerald bangle bracelet that sold for $15,275 (est $8/12,000). Additionally, a vibrant cabochon ruby and diamond clip brooch set in platinum sold for $16,450, and a stylish Art Deco diamond and ruby bracelet brought $24,675.
Reflecting the romance of the Edwardian era, a pair of diamond pendant earrings in a ribbon and foliate motif achieved $17,625 ($5/6,000), and a pin featuring a pink star sapphire surrounded by diamonds achieved $18,800. From the estate of renowned fashion designer Bonnie Cashin, a stylish Art Deco star sapphire and diamond ring sold for $3,818.
