Pair of Silver-Topped Gold and Diamond Earclips, circa 1880 and a Silver-Topped Gold, Diamond and Demantoid Garnet Brooch, circa 1870 from the Sotheby’s selling exhibit ‘In Bloom.’ Photo Sotheby's
Jewelry News
Highlights From ‘In Bloom’ at Sotheby’s
The selling exhibition has a bouquet of flowers from the past and present
I know what you are thinking. Something along the lines of Meryl Streep’s dry delivery of the lines in The Devil Wears Prada, “Florals for spring? Groundbreaking.” But we optimistic jewelry lovers—Do. Not. Care. Plus, we believe even the most cynical spirits will be lifted once you see the glorious colorful bouquet of jewels in the Sotheby’s selling exhibition ‘In Bloom.’
To find floral jewels all over the world, Frank Everett, Sales Director of Sotheby’s Luxury Division, led a team of the auction house’s specialists who worked in concert with Carol Woolton, author of Floral Jewels from the World’s Leading Designers and the Contributing Director of Jewelry at British Vogue.
Pair of Diamond and Tsavorite Garnet Earclips by Cindy Chao from the Sotheby’s selling exhibit ‘In Bloom.’ Photo courtesy
The jewelry botanists assembled a presentation of 75 pieces dating from the nineteenth century to the present day. The display includes twentieth century designs such as a diamond rose brooch from David Webb, a sapphire hyacinth cuff from Verdura and a diamond, emerald and sapphire bracelet from Van Cleef & Arpels.
Gold and Citrine Brooch by Cartier from the Sotheby’s selling exhibit ‘In Bloom.’ Photo courtesy
Proving the floral motifs are, well, as fresh as a daisy in jewelry now, contemporary designers are in the presentation. Some of the super talents who contributed pieces to the flower bed include Solange Azagury-Partridge, Neha Dani, Eliane Fattal, Fernando Jorge, Sabba, Jessica McCormack and Irene Neuwirth. Emerging talents, such as Tatiana Verstraeten and Christopher Thompson Royds are also in the exhibit. To round out the array, a few pieces were specifically commissioned from British artist Shaun Leane, Japanese master craftswoman Gimel and Indian designer Bina Goenka.
Diamond and Turquoise Ring by Sabba and a Gold, Diamond and Pearl Necklace, circa 1875 from the Sotheby’s selling exhibit ‘In Bloom.’ Photo courtesy
A preview opened this week during a breakfast in London and lit up my Instagram. The flowers arrive at Sotheby’s in New York after the April showers. ‘In Bloom’ will be on display from May 3 to May 24 alongside the auctions of Impressionist & Modern and Contemporary Art. All pieces on exhibition will be available for private sale, with prices ranging from $10,000 to $3 million.
Gold and Citrine Brooch by Cartier from the Sotheby’s selling exhibit ‘In Bloom.’ Photo courtesy
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