In an era marked by shifting boundaries in self-expression, Sotheby’s is set to host a first-of-its-kind selling exhibition dedicated to tracing the remarkable evolution of men’s jewelry, spanning from the mid-19th century to the contemporary era. Featuring an impressive collection of around 100 pieces, the exhibition highlights the artistry of renowned houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Tiffany & Co, Verdura, David Webb, and many others.
This unique jewelry exhibition is available to the public at Sotheby’s New York galleries till October 5, 2023. Every item showcased during the exhibition is available for private acquisition, with a pricing spectrum spanning from $3,000 to $300,000.
While there is an abundance to discuss within this invaluable collection, let us illuminate a few of its exceptional masterpieces. The Serpent Trace Couture Necklace ($56,500), alongside 14 more pieces from Shaun Leane’s collection, is sure to steal the spotlight. Emulating the skeleton of a serpent, this necklace is a sophisticated rendezvous of shining diamonds and white gold.
Another standout piece is the Intaglio ‘Imperial Roman’ Signet Ring ($75,500) from the curated collection of 22 pieces by David Yurman. The ring features an ancient intaglio of the sun god Apollo, one of the most revered deities in the Graeco-Roman pantheon. Some other pieces from David Yurman’s collection are an 18-karat gold and gem-set Byzantine pendant brooch; an 18-karat gold and diamond Cross pendant necklace; a 22-karat gold Mini Floral Cross ID Bracelet, circa 2002; an 18-karat gold and black opal ring, 8.19 carats, and more.
The visionary and curator behind this exhibition is Frank Everett, the Vice Chairman of Jewelry at Sotheby’s. He has been a driving force in the resurgence of the brooch with the #bringbackthebrooch movement.
Talking about the collection, he says, “Since the dawn of time, men have always donned jewelry. However, this renaissance has gained traction as of late thanks to the pursuits of celebrities such as Harry Styles, Lewis Hamilton, Pharrell, and others who helped push the modernization of men’s jewelry and the embracing of styles and materials that have oftentimes been thought of as for women only – those with precious and semi-precious gemstones and generally evoke more personality. The purpose of this show is not to genderize jewelry – since I’m a true believer that jewelry should be and can be worn by everyone – but rather a celebration of self-expression and the ever-changing men’s style evolution from past to present. With this exhibition, we hope to not only educate and introduce jewelry to a new male audience but to dismantle the pre-existing boundaries, and also cater to an audience that knowingly wants to freely express their individuality through the power of jewelry.”
