Over 250 Jewels
From the Most Esteemed Jewellery Houses in the World
Including:
The Largest Collection of Jewels by René Boivin Ever to Come to Auction
& Exceptional Examples of High Jewellery Spanning the 20th Century
To be Offered During Sotheby’s Luxury Sales in Geneva:
Magnificent Jewels Sale on 14 May
& Open for Online Bidding 2 – 16 May at Sothebys.com
“When you come across a jewellery collection as consistently stunning and substantial as
“Iconic Jewels: Her Sense of Style”, it’s a heart-stopping moment – the kind you know you’ll
never forget. This collection, with its many, many dazzling signed jewels from the most beloved
and sought-after design periods in jewellery history, is truly one of a kind and one of the most
important private jewellery collections I’ve ever seen. It is an incredibly powerful and
sophisticated love letter to jewellery from an enlightened private collector which I know will
inspire other collectors and connoisseurs all around the world.”
Marie-Cécile Cisamolo, Jewellery Specialist, Sotheby’s Genev
In an upcoming auction this May, Сотби’s is set to unveil a remarkable private collection of signed jewels, titled “Iconic Jewels: Her Sense Of Style.” This extraordinary collection comprises over 250 pieces meticulously assembled by a passionate European female collector over five decades. It stands as one of the most important private collections of signed jewelry ever to come to auction.
This remarkable single-owner collection, estimated at 4.7M to 7.3M CHF ($5.4M to $8.3M), will be presented in two sales scheduled for this May, featuring:
- 46 of the most outstanding jewels featured in the Magnificent Jewels sale on 14 May during Sotheby’s Luxury Sales in Geneva.
- and over 200 pieces to be sold in a dedicated “Iconic Jewels: Her Sense of Style” online sale from 2 May with bidding closing on 16 May.
The exquisite collection pays tribute to twentieth-century jewelry design, serving as a comprehensive display of iconic pieces and influential trends from renowned houses like Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Boucheron, Chaumet, David Webb, Mauboussin, Marina B, Sterlé, and Mellerio dits Meller.
Sale Highlights
The top lots feature exquisite creations from renowned jewelry houses. Bulgari presents a remarkable pair of earrings adorned with Fancy Intense Yellow diamonds, once owned by Baroness di Portanova, with an estimated value of 400,000 – 600,000 CHF. Also showcased is a rare Serpenti bracelet-watch “Theodorus” with an original Bulgari archive drawing from 1968, estimated at 200,000 – 400,000 CHF. Cartier contributes iconic pieces like a Panthère bangle from 1969 (estimated 250,000 – 350,000 CHF) and an exquisite Tutti Frutti bracelet (estimated 200,000 – 400,000 CHF).
Other highlights include a Marina B choker and earring set featuring carved amethyst (estimated 30,000 – 50,000 CHF), showcasing the distinctive 1980s styling, as well as a transformable Passe-Partout set from the 1940s by Van Cleef & Arpels, comprising a necklace, three brooches, and a pair of ear clips (estimated 80,000 – 120,000 CHF).
The Astonishing René Boivin Collection : within the “Iconic Jewels: Her Sense of Style” sale
The prominence of the house of Boivin in “Iconic Jewels: Her Sense of Style” is unparalleled. Founded by René Boivin in 1890, the jewelry house became known for its fusion of naturalistic motifs into highly sculptural, historical revival pieces. Responding to the era’s preference for delicate, “garland style” diamond-set драгоценности, René’s vision set the stage for a legacy of exquisite craftsmanship.
Following René’s passing in 1917, his wife Jeanne took the reins of the business, marking a pivotal moment by hiring women artisans, including her daughter Germaine and Suzanne Belperron, who later became one of the most influential female designers in history. Their dedication to impeccable craftsmanship and embrace of naturalism paid homage to René’s vision, shaping Boivin’s distinctive avant-garde aesthetic.
The collection showcases iconic René Boivin pieces spanning from the 1930s to the 1990s, featuring treasures like the Bouquet de Violettes brooch and earring set (estimated at 25,000 – 35,000 CHF), the Algae necklace (estimated at 20,000 – 30,000 CHF), the Noeud de Passementerie brooch (estimated at 15,000 – 20,000 CHF), and a seal flacon pendant (estimated at 30,000 – 50,000 CHF).
Decades of Jewellery Perfection and Iconic Piece
“Iconic Jewels: Her Sense of Style” stands out for its remarkable eclecticism, a testament to the private collector’s discerning eye for curation. The collection seamlessly blends iconic pieces with a confident pursuit of unconventional, sometimes eccentric, and occasionally unique or custom-made jewelry. Unlike many collectors who focus on specific periods, brands, or styles, this collector has amassed an impressive array of jewelry representing key decades and design movements of the twentieth century, including Art Nouveau, Belle Epoque, Art Deco, and Modernism.
What sets this collection apart is the collector’s deep passion and distinct sense of style, evident in the diverse range of bold, colorful pieces and a dedication to intricate craftsmanship sourced from renowned jewelry houses worldwide. This exceptional collection is poised to captivate a global audience of collectors come May.
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