November 22, 2019: Granting a rare vision into Art Deco jewelry styles from 1900s, coveted pieces from Cartier and Lacloche Frère, along with jewels with an impressive provenance, will go under the hammer at Bonhams London Jewels sale on December 4, 2019.
Leading the sale is a spectacular Art Deco Aquamarine and Diamond Necklace by Cartier, dated circa 1940, estimated at £100,000 – 150,000, and a pair of Art Deco Aquamarine and Diamond Drop Earrings, also by Cartier, circa 1935, estimated at £40,000 – 60,000.
Two further sale highlights that are anticipated to capture interest from buyers globally are by Lacloche Frères, a name synonymous with creating some of the finest and most creative jewellery in the Art Deco period. Lacloche Frères was one of 30 out of 400 companies selected to exhibit at the seminal Exposition des Art Décoratifs in Paris in 1925. During the exhibition, objets and innovative jewellery created by Lacloche Frères received great acclaim, with the company winning a Grand Prix for their display of fabulous jewels.
Bonhams will offer An Art Deco Diamond, Enamel and Gem-Set Picture Bracelet attributed to Lacloche Frères, estimated at £120,000 – 150,000. Dated 1925, this bracelet is an example of the fascination with exoticism that had swept through French creative design in the early 1920s. Its articulated panels are pavé-set with diamonds, overlaid with cherry blossom motifs, with black enamel branches, cabochon ruby blooms and cabochon emerald leaves.
A private collection 24 of Art Deco timepieces, 22 of which are by Cartier, will feature in the sale. Dating from 1908 through to the end of the Art Deco period, these timepieces represent the pinnacle of luxury, elegance and craftsmanship that Cartier, and a select few major Parisian jewellery houses, were associated with in the early decades of the 20th century.
Clocks are also on the offer. Louis Cartier’s collaboration with master clockmaker Maurice Couët helped catapult Cartier’s table clocks to the highest level of inspired craftsmanship, sophistication and refined beauty. Of royal provenance, An Art Deco Nephrite and Gold Grande Sonnerie Desk Clock by Cartier, circa 1925, is expected to catch the eyes of buyers at Bonhams. This clock belonged to Prince George, Duke of Kent, the fourth son of King George V and Queen Mary, and younger brother of King Edward VIII and King George VI, and has a pre-sale estimate of £50,000 – 80,000.
A historic Emerald (of Mughal provenance), Rock Crystal and Diamond Necklace by Cartier, 1912, from The Collection of Vita Sackville-West, the gifted poet, novelist, writer and renowned gardener is also part of the sale.
The auction will offer a total of 168 lots.
