Sarah Duncan
4 November 2024
Remarkable gemstones and private collections starred in our London Jewellery auction this October, with global bidding from Asia to the Americas taking the sale total to over £612,000.
Viewed from our Connaught Village gallery near Hyde Park, the sale showcased a curated selection of fine jewellery led by a beautiful comet brooch set with a stunning natural Fancy Intense Coloured Purplish Pink diamond that attracted international interest to reach £75,200 / $97,565.
Yolette Leconte Magloire was First Lady of Haiti from 1950 to 1956. At just 19 years old, Yolette Leconte married Paul Eugene Magloire (1907-2001) who would become the 30th President of Haiti.
The election in 1950 was the first in the nation’s history where all adult males had a right to vote. After gaining office, Magloire oversaw women’s suffrage being granted. Magloire and Leconte emphasised public works and cultural projects, during this time.
The lead lot in the collection was a fantastic Cartier diamond and gold tassel bracelet, by the jeweller Georges Lenfant that made £62,700*. With a wonderful history this bracelet appeared to have been a favourite of Leconte's for State Visits and formal political occasions. Amongst other events, newsreel footage from 1955 shows Leconte wearing this Cartier bracelet while with U.S. President Eisenhower and his wife Mamie at a formal occasion.
The lead lot in the collection was a fantastic Cartier diamond and gold tassel bracelet, by the jeweller Georges Lenfant that made £62,700. With a wonderful history this bracelet appeared to have been a favourite of Leconte's for State Visits and formal political occasions. Amongst other events, newsreel footage from 1955 shows Leconte wearing this Cartier bracelet while with U.S. President Eisenhower and his wife Mamie at a formal occasion.
The collection came in through our London gallery directly from Leconte’s estate and its successful sale has brought great joy to her family, “It was incredible how much work and passion [the team] put into everything. We truly couldn’t have wished for a better outcome. It’s going to be life changing for [us].”
This was closely followed by another antique diamond piece from the Belle Epoque period, that reached £13,860, that the new owner will be able to wear as brooch or a necklace.
High-quality coloured gemstones also continue to be popular, a 7.67 carat Colombian emerald set into a 18 carat gold ring, caught the eye of many a bidder to reach £18,900 at the fall of the hammer.
“I’m so thrilled with the amount of attention this auction has garnered from collectors and jewellery enthusiasts worldwide. We had a particularly high first time buyer rate not just from domestic bidders but internationally as well. It’s wonderful to see the passion for natural diamonds, antique and retro jewellery and significant coloured stones. This auction demonstrates how much emphasis buyers put into the provenance and research for unique jewellery.”
Sarah Duncan GG, Head of Jewellery (London)
All sold prices include buyer's premium.
