Renaissance Revival 18kt. gold gem set armlet, c.1880, recently sold for $40,290.00 at a Skinner, Inc. auction in Boston. (PRNewsFoto/Skinner, Inc.)
BOSTON, MA UNITED STATES
Sale Gross Meets High Estimate Despite Economic Downturn
BOSTON, March 24 /PRNewswire/ — www.skinnerinc.com — Skinner, one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art, today announced the results of its Fine Jewelry sale last week which grossed $1,768,021.00, achieving the sale’s high estimate despite the current economic conditions and uncertainty in the marketplace.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090324/NE87827 )
A number of the top selling lots came to Skinner from the family of William and Henry Walters, who established Baltimore’s Waters Art Museum. The star of the show was a stunning Renaissance Revival long chain (lot 530) which sold for $402,000. It was estimated at $75/$125,000. In addition, an archaeological Revival gold and glass bead fringe necklace, c. 1880 sold for $67,545.50.
Additional highlights include an Art Deco diamond, onyx, jadeite and coral brooch by Boucheron Paris (lot 514) which sold for $189,600.00, while a renaissance revival enamel, sapphire and diamond brooch (lot 529) sold for $71,100.00. Perhaps one of the most interesting lots of the sale was a Renaissance Revival 18kt. gold gem set armlet, c.1880, featuring sapphire and diamond florets, bezel set sapphire, emerald, and ruby accents, and rose cut diamond highlights (lot 528) which sold for $40,290.00.
The auction was well attended and bidding was very competitive at all levels. “Despite the current state of the economy, the high end of fine jewelry market is as strong as ever as buyers are confident that their investment is sound,” said Gloria Lieberman, director of fine jewelry, Skinner, Inc. “Buyers and consignors alike continue to come to Skinner for unique jewelry and recognize the lasting value intrinsic in these rare pieces purchased at auction.”
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Paintings & Prints, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.
SOURCE Skinner, Inc.
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