Christie’s, the worlds leading auction house, will open an exhibition in Dubai of magnificent jewels, wristwatches and selected works from several important international auctions tomorrow. The exhibition, which will be staged at Emirates Towers Hotel and will run on 27-28 October, will incorporate a superb selection of magnificent jewellery, notably a Collection of Jewellery and Watches from a Royal House that will be sold in Geneva on 14 November 2006, as well as highlights from a special auction dedicated to jewels by Van Cleef & Arpels who are celebrating their centenary in 2006.
Comprising 317 lots and expected to realise in the region of $20 million, the collection from a Royal House is led by the magnificent Gulf Pearl Suite by Harry Winston - estimated to realise in excess of $4 million - and includes a necklace, bracelet, earrings and a ring. One of the finest ranges of natural drop pearls ever to appear at auction, the necklace is composed of 11 perfectly formed and graduated drop-shaped pearls weighing from approximately 30 to 124 grains each. An eye-catching large button pearl of 21.5mm diameter, weighing 202.26 grains, and an 8 row pearl necklace form part of another spectacular pearl and diamond suite which is estimated at $600,000 to $800,000
An exquisite selection of diamonds from the Royal House Collection include an important pear-shaped diamond of 21.37 carats, D Colour, VVS2 clarity (estimate: $700,000-1,000,000) and a spectacular bracelet by Gerard which features a rectangular-cut diamond of 29.01 carats, D Colour, VVS2 clarity (estimate: $800,000-1,000,000). Also by Gerard is a diamond parure suspending a pear-shaped diamond of 13.61 carats, D Colour, VVS1 clarity (estimate: $500,000-700,000) and an equally impressive parure by Fred is set with a collection of pear-shaped fancy light to fancy intense yellow diamonds weighing a total of over 70 carats (estimate: $600,000-800,000).
The collection also features many important gem set wristwatches by the most celebrated makers such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, and others. The watches – totaling 48 lots - are in virtually unused condition and will be highly appealing to collectors worldwide ahead of the sale of Important Pocket Watches and Wristwatches to be staged in Geneva on 13 November.
In addition to the Royal House Collection, there will be an exquisite selection of jewellery from the esteemed house of Van Cleef & Arpels which is to be sold by Christie’s on November 16th in Geneva. Christie’s team of jewellery specialists in New York, London, Paris and Geneva worked in close partnership with Van Cleef & Arpels on two commemorative sales, a collaboration that marks an exceptional venture between the firms. The two Centennial Tribute sales, in New York and Geneva, will each feature 50 jewels, offering collectors a total of 100 pieces that each celebrates the art of the jewel at its most rarefied and daring. The selection exhibited in Dubai includes major jewels such as The Millennium Brooch: a mystery set ruby and diamond brooch designed as two flower heads, which necessitated 2,800 hours of highly skilled labour (estimate on request).
The exhibition will also feature a selection of highlights from The Pinhas Collection, to be sold on 18 December in New York. The California estate of this well known collector of French Art Glass will feature some of the best pieces of Daum from his collection and the 200-lot sale is expected to realize in excess of $2 million. Highlights on exhibition in Dubai include a moulded and applied glass vase, Grenouilles et Nenuphars (estimate: $250,000-275,000), a green glass box with white patine, Epines (estimate: $200,000-250,000) and a cire perdue vase, Huit Perruches (estimate: 200,000-250,000).
Finally, six items from the Lawrence of Arabia collection of the late Dr Lionel Dakers CBE (1924-2003) will also be exhibited in Dubai, including an Arab headdress owned by the Lawrence. The collection spans the life of this celebrated soldier, writer and traveller, from his early archaeological work of the pre-World War I years, through the Arab Revolt and the writing of Seven Pillars of Wisdom, to his post-war life as a writer, translator of the Odyssey, and marine engineer. These works are of great rarity ― such as An Album of Illustrations to Colonel T.E. Lawrence's Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Feb. 1927, one of 12 copies, and one of a very few to retain the original binding. Dr. Dakers, by profession an organ master and church musician at St Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle, was a discriminating and informed collector, who assembled this remarkable library over more than fifty years. The collection will be auctioned at Christie's King Street in the Valuable Printed Books and Manuscripts sale on 15 November 2006.
Discussing the exhibition, Michael Jeha, Christie’s newly appointed Managing Director for Dubai stated:
“Once again, Christie’s is raising the benchmark in the region by bringing such notable works to the Middle East, where a number of residents are avid admirers of exceptional jewels and watches.”
“Following the phenomenal success of our first auction in the Middle East earlier this year, it has become apparent that the region is ready for greater exposure to world-class art and collectables, and whether we are showcasing paintings, jewellery, watches or other notable collections, the support that Christie’s receives here continues to be robust.”
Whilst Christie’s has been conducting business in the region for several decades, it was not until the summer of 2005 that a stand-alone Middle East office was opened in Dubai. With the support of two leading institutions, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and Bank Sarasin-Alpen (ME) Limited., Christie’s has since been driving, moreover, leading, the international art market here in the UAE.
Commenting on the partnerships, Jeha said:
“Both DMCC and Sarasin-Alpen are connected with a number of the region’s leading decision-makers and they have hence helped to ensure that our endeavours in the region are recognised by both current and potential collectors.”
Christie's is the only auction house to have sold any single owner jewellery collection valued in excess of $12 Million in the past 10 years (two collections more than $12 million and one above $20 million) and the Dubai exhibition follows suit, marking one of the most important single owner collections ever to have been offered at auction.
The exhibition will run in the Godolphin Ballroom at Emirates Towers from October 27-28 and is open to members of the public from between 12pm and 10 pm. Admission is free.
