Salvador Dali Brooch Sells for Nearly $150,000

 

It's certainly eye-catching - but it's price might bring a tear to your eye.

This three-inch long piece of jewellery in the shape of a human eye, designed by surrealist artist Salvador Dali, has just been sold for £96,000 ($150.000.00)

Called The Eye of Time, the exquisite brooch is made from diamonds and platinum that form the eye lids and a small gold watch in blue enamel that makes up the eye ball. 

The original brooch, made by famed jewellers Alemany & Ertman in New York, was a gift for Dali's wife in 1949.

But, with the artist's permission, the company made several copies from his original designs.

The one for sale was bought by an Italian man in the 1950s and it has been passed down through his family ever since.

The artists did not design that many pieces of jewellery

The piece went up for sale at auctioneers Dreweatts of Newbury, Berkshire, and had been expected to sell for £12,000.

But such was the interest in the extremely rare item, went for eight times that amount and was bought by a private watch collector from the US.

James Nicholson, head of jewellery at Dreweatts, said: 'Privately owned pieces of this calibre which have never been on the market before arouse considerable interest globally.

'The Dali brooch is a fantastic piece. He didn't design that many pieces of jewellery, probably about 20 in all, so whenever one comes on the market it is very rare.

'We don't know how many pieces like this were made but this is the first time one of this large size has come up for auction.

'I knew there would be a lot of interest in the piece but because it was so unusual there was no precedent for me to go on.

'It was very exciting in the sale room and moved very, very fast, everybody was shouting down the telephones trying to get their bids in, it was an electric atmosphere.

'There were people bidding from all over the world, from the USA, Europe, the UK and the far East.

'There was a lot of interest because some collectors specifically look for artist's jewellery.

'Eventually it sold to a private collector in the US and the vendor was absolutely thrilled and amazed.'

Tips for Online Diamond Buying

Consumers have more options than ever when it comes to buying diamonds. In addition to jewelry retailers, you can shop conveniently from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Many of the same considerations apply whether you’re buying a diamond in person or online, but GIA has a few additional tips for shopping online that will help you click the “Buy Now” button with confidence.

As with any significant purchase, start by researching your options. Educate yourself about the diamond 4Cs and determine which diamond qualities are most important to you. This decision, along with your budget, will help guide your online diamond buying.

When shopping online, make sure you know exactly what you are buying. Some sites show diamonds with a range in carat weight, color or clarity. To ensure you know the value of the stone you’re purchasing, ask for specifics on its 4Cs, not a range. Then, make sure the stone comes with an independent diamond grading report, like those provided by GIA, which provides an unbiased analysis of the diamond’s 4Cs. For added security, you can verify a GIA grading report using the online Report Check tool, which will confirm that the information on the report matches the GIA database.

Once you’ve decided on the diamond that’s right for you, there are a few quick checks to do on the company you’re buying from. You’ll want to know:

• How long has the company been in business?
• What kind of reviews has the company received?
• Does it belong to any jewelry trade associations? (Associations often have strict requirements around quality and service)
• Do they offer secure transactions?
• How is their customer service?
• What is their return policy?
• How will the diamond be shipped? Is the shipment insured? Is signature required for delivery?

There are a few more considerations when buying from online auction sites. In addition to the questions listed above, you’ll also want to look into:

• Seller feedback & comments
• Is payment processed through a secure service such as PayPal or PayDirect?
• Is the seller located in the US?
• Is the seller providing sufficient evidence of the diamond’s authenticity? (photographs, diamond grading report)
Working with foreign sellers, or using cash, check or money order for your purchase, can greatly reduce your options for recourse in case of a fraudulent sale.

Once your beautiful diamond is in-hand, have an independent appraiser confirm that it matches the description and accompanying paperwork, and provide you with the value of the diamond for insurance purposes.

You can also choose to have it laser-inscribed with a permanent and microscopic marking on the gem’s girdle (in some cases the diamond comes with an inscription, or it can be requested at the time of purchase). GIA can inscribe a diamond with its unique GIA report number, or a personal message or symbol, for identification.

While the vast majority of online diamond purchases go smoothly, there are cases of false or misleading online sales. US-based consumers have options for recourse, including reporting the website to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or pursuing the case in civil court. Foreign-based retailers that do not have a physical presence in the US, are, for the most part, insulated from recourse, and attempts to recover funds can be very frustrating. However, by following the recommendations above, you greatly increase your chances for a stress-free and secure online diamond purchase.

THE DUC D’ORLÉANS BREGUET SYMPATHIQUE BREGUET

Rare Breguet Clock Sells For Record $6.8 Million

The Duc d’Orléans Breguet Sympathique clock set a new auction record for any clock and the second-highest price for any timepiece at auction when it sold for more than $6.8 million at Sotheby’s New York Important Watches & Clocks Auction on Tuesday.

The distinguished example of the exceptionally rare Sympathique clocks, which helped cement the fame and renown of French watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet, was last offered at auction in Sotheby’s 1999 when it sold for $5.7 million. 
This price has remained the auction record for any clock until Tuesday’s sale.

Invented by Breguet in 1795 and presented to the public for the first time at the Exposition Nationale des Produits de l’Industrie in 1798, 
the sympathique clock was a system consisting of a clock and a watch. 
The clock was designed to hold the watch in its cradle, where it was 
automatically adjusted and rewound. The term sympathique was chosen by 
Breguet to express the notion of harmony and concord.

The Important Watches & Clocks auction totaled more than $11.6 million marking the highest result for a various-owners sale of watches and clocks at Sotheby’s New York, the auction house said in a statement. In addition to the Sympathique, both vintage and modern wristwatches by Patek Philippe 
dominated the day’s top results, led by a rare 46 mm 18K Yellow Gold 
Center Seconds Wristwatch, 1955, Ref 2512/1 that achieved $962,500, 
more than five times its high estimate of $150,000.

Watch Out For Altered Rubies

There is a new process that improves the look of rubies. Average stones with cracks and flaws are being "enhanced" by being filled with lead glass. Doctored stones are worth about 80 percent less than natural stones. There are reports that antique and vintage rings have been repaired with these less valuable rubies. In addition, most rubies have been enhanced with heat in recent years to improve color or fill cracks—a practice that has found acceptance in the market. But any process that makes a gem seem more valuable than it is should be explained to a buyer. Lead-glass-filled stones need special care. Lemon juice and other solvents make them turn white. There are laboratory tests that reveal the glass filler, so if you plan to buy or repair ruby jewelry, ask for a guarantee backed by a testing certificate.

55 of the Rudest Things Rude New Yorkers Do

55. Use a plus sign instead of spelling out the "and" in the title of your famous New York-based travel magazine that declares entire cities of people rude.

54. Take someone else's umbrella from the umbrella bucket WHEN IT'S RAINING. Leaving that broken-ass one that you bought off the street does not absolve you of this sin.

53. Fail to have your Metrocard/cash or credit card at the ready in the 10-person line of people waiting to swipe their Metrocards/buy something.

52. Insist on ordering your bagels with the bagel-part scooped out. Go buy a fucking cracker.

51. Break up with someone on a Post-It note using writing that resembles that of a psychopath. Neatness counts!

50. Kill squirrels and pigeons.

49. Feed squirrels and pigeons.

48. Tell everyone you don't own a television and instead just watch "important things" on Hulu all day. Be smug about this.

47. Have loud sex in your apartment so as to be overheard by your neighbors.

46. Move furniture in your apartment late at night so as to be overheard by your neighbors.

45. Create more rude New Yorkers.

44. Make people who have kids feel bad. Cuz they might CRY.

43. Make gender normative statements about a child's hat.

42. Never call, text, IM, BBM, gchat, Skype, Facebook, or DM again after the first date.

41. Call, et al, after the first date, repeatedly, until the recipient of your madness must a) confront you directly or b) take out a restraining order. Then Facebook friend 'em!

40. Give someone bed bugs.

39. Smoke really fragrant weed without offering the neighbors any.

38. Push your way into the subway car without letting others out first.

37. Cling to the subway pole with your buttocks, back, entire body, or peanut-butter-and-jelly- or influenza-sticky hands.

36. Let your dog defecate on the streets (and fail to pick it up).

35. Pee outside.This is particularly rude near churches, doorsteps, and humans, unless requested explicitly.

34. Tip poorly.

33. Publicly shame your noob out-of-town relatives for tipping poorly and for anything else said noobs get up to. They can't help it.

32. Fail to wash your hands after using the bathroom. Be really into shaking people's hands.

31. Accept rounds purchased by others but never offer to pay for one yourself.

30. Shout loud things that nobody wants to hear and are not even remotely helpful or pleasant in public and/or private places while also taking your pants off.

29. Allow your cell phone to ring at the Philharmonic. Chosen ringtone: Marimba.

28. Walk around with your clothing falling off, revealing certain fleshy parts that no one is interested in viewing.

27. Sing in public, badly. Also, listen to your terribly curated music so loudly that everyone else can hear it, even though you have terrible taste in music and you're not all that great at curating, either.



​26. Walk improperly. This includes oblivious, overt texting while walking as well as spitting.Don't spit. Don't "store" your used gum on the ground either. That karma will find you when you least expect it.

25. Be a cabbie; refuse to go to Brooklyn.

24. Be a cab passenger; vomit in cabs.

23. Sneak into a second movie after you've only paid for the first. Actually, nevermind. This is not rude, this is good business sense.


22. Forget to say thank you in whichever written or verbal format is deemed necessary by the generosity received. Forget to say thank you back. Forget to say thank you to the thank you's thank you. Die and go to a hell that is full of stationary and pens that are forever running out of ink.

21. Close talk.

20. Take up more than your allotted space in this world.

19. Claim to have to work when you actually don't.

18. Hold obnoxiously themed baby showers and bachelorette parties that you insist your friends not only attend, at their expense, but also bring gifts to.

17. Be snarky about other people's important life events.

16. Claim that you are poor when you make $700,000 a year

15. Up-stream.


14. Drink the milk directly out of the container.

13. Steal someone's gross lunch from the gross office fridge. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

12. Act like elderly people don't have a right to exist in this city.

11. Cheat.

10. Lie. Unless it makes someone feel better

9. Cut the wallet out of drunk people's pockets when they pass out while riding the subway.

8. Pass out on the subway and rely on the kindness of strangers, whom you may or may not have drooled on, to protect you from the lush workers.

7. Throw pornographic pictures down at the people having the party on the patio below because they are being too loud and having too much fun and it's SO RUDE they didn't invite you.

6. Have a loud party on your patio and fail to invite the neighbors. When pornographic pictures rain down from above, shout "Fuck you!" and give every window you see the finger. Make it the unmanicured one.

5. Chuckle, even inaudibly, when the subway door slams in the face of that loser.

4. Fail to hold the door for the person directly behind you, especially if he/she is disabled, weak, ill, old, holding a large object, a child, or pregnant. If he or she is texting and not paying attention while walking into the door, do whatever the heck you want.

3. Make incessant fun of Thought Catalog.



​2. Think you are better than other people because you are a New Yorker.

1. Claim that New Yorkers are rude.

from The Village Voice

If you plan to sell some gold, it helps to know what "meltdown value" is.

If you plan to sell some gold, it helps to know what "meltdown value" is. It has a value determined by its weight and purity. The lowest price you should take for items made of gold is the actual value when it is melted and formed into bars of 24 karat gold.

The gold price listed in newspapers or online is given in troy ounces. Grocery and postal scales measure in avoirdupois ounces. Troy ounces are about 10% heavier. Your jewelry will probably be marked 14K or with another indicator of the purity of the metal. Our calculator ( http://www.kovels.com/Gold-Calculator/gold-value-estimator.html )does the arithmetic to measure the value changes necessary to go from 10K, 12K, 14K, or 18K gold to 24K, the gold that is made into bars. The only thing the buyer is paying for is the gold. Any mounted stones or other metals do not count and an adjustment is made for them.

Buyers pay a little less than full value because they sell the gold to be melted and, of course, they want to make a profit. Just fill in the blanks and click to learn the value of your items.

Note:
The design, maker, and valuable gems that might be in your jewelry could add value, so a piece may be worth more to someone buying and selling antiques. So ask any local dealer or auction house what they would pay before you consider meltdown value.

This was all proved by The Kovels

Unpaid Winning Bids Change Terms of Auctions

The most expensive Chinese work of art, sold in November, 2010, in London for $83 million, had not yet been paid for according to a Bloomberg News article. It is one of many unpaid for purchases by the Chinese bidders.

Some auction houses now ask for deposits before the auction for very expensive items. This delayed or non-payment habit reaches into lower than the million dollar range and auction houses tell us that they are having trouble collecting for some items selling at $100,000 or less.

If Pepsi-Cola is your favorite, how about bidding for a 2 1/8-inch brooch shaped like a Pepsi bottle. It's a gold, ruby, emerald, and diamond piece of jewelry that belonged to Joan Crawford. Some of her belongings are being auctioned Dec. 7 by Doyle New York.

Topped by an accented ruby bottle cap and set throughout with emeralds and diamonds, this tiny Pepsi bottle brooch owned by Joan Crawford would make a great lapel pin, according to Louis LeB. Webre of auction house Doyle New York.

Photo Courtesy of Doyle New York

Record Set for a Folk Art Painting

A 1786 folk art painting of Abigail Rose sold at a Skinner auction in Boston for a record $1,271,000. It broke the previous record for an American folk art painting, $1,248,000, set at Christie's in 2007.

The 10 Stupidest American Holidays

Columbus Day

The problem with Columbus Day isn't just Columbus himself (though celebrating him is dicey), or the Italian-Americans who enjoy celebrating one of their cultural heroes. The problem is that not everyone gets today off. You know just what I'm talking about, as you sit in your cubicle reading this because half of the people you need to talk to to get your job done have today off. Schools are out, the government is closed, but your office is open. That means you have to find a place to put the kids all day and listen to people talk about their long weekend plans while you have to work and hope it rains and ruins everyone's free day off. That's quite a legacy to leave, Columbus.

Flag Day

Do we really need a whole day to celebrate our flag? It's great that we have a symbol for our country, but why go out of our way to recognize it in some way? Every other country has a damn flag, it's not like having a flag makes us special. And just look at our flag. It's kind of a design nightmare. It's got all these bars and stripes and different colors and strange angles. As far as flags go, ours is a little cluttered. Maybe every year on Flag Day we should have a design competition to come up with something new? I'd support that.

Father's Day

This is such pandering. It's like Gillette and the American Tie Federation saw how much success Hallmark and 1-800-FLOWERS had with Mother's Day and decided to horn in on the action. Most dads could care less about getting presents or attention or brunch or anything. They probably appreciate that you call them, that's nice. Either that or your father was an asshole who treated you badly and divorced your mother for some new bitch with kids of her own and he doesn't even really talk to you that much anymore. What an asshole! Who needs to be reminded of that?

Groundhog Day

Who the hell even came up with this holiday, and what does it even mean? On February 2, there's this critter in Pennsylvania who comes out of his hole and either sees his shadow and get scared and something happens or he doesn't see his shadow and then nothing happens. No one understands it. Not even the news stations that cover it every year. There are more rules to this than Ultimate Frisbee. It's supposed to make spring come more quickly or something. It doesn't. It's February! We still have two more months of cold. How about giving us "Take a Trip to Florida" day? That's all I really want in February.

Patriot's Day

This is a day that is only celebrated in Massachusetts, our second Least worst state, but it doesn't mean they need a whole day off just to themselves. The Patriots, they're good and all, but they're not all that. They haven't won a Super Bowl in six years! Look at Tom Brady these days. He's making more headlines for his hair and loving Uggs and being a prolific babydaddy than he is for making passes and touchdowns. Stop being so cocky, Boston, your team isn't that important.

Arbor Day

A day for the planting and caring of trees? Really? What, have we been hijacked by Greenpeace? Do you have to hug the trees after you plant them? And what good are trees if they won't take care of themselves? You want trees to sit in your yard or on the street or wherever and just grow and be strong and not have to be tended to like some blooming invalid, right? What happens when the GOP finds out about this and tries to shut it down because it's some pro-environmental action? Won't they try to do the same thing to Arbor Day that they did to ACORN? Too many questions!

Talk Like a Pirate Day

Yes, mateys, this is stupid. And if you keep trying to make it happen, you're going to have to walk the plank.

Confederate Memorial Day

Ostensibly this is a day to commemorate all the lives lost by the Confederacy during the Civil War. While people dying in war is always sad, these people were defending, you know, slavery. So, um. Yeah. Remember that.

Casimir Pulaski Day

This is a holiday in March that is celebrated in the Chicago area, mostly by the large Polish population. That's fine, but Pulaski—a Revolutionary War hero—also has a federal holiday in October. I don't want to discount the great things this gentleman did to win our freedom, but does he really need two holidays? I mean, the only other person who gets two holidays is Jesus. Oprah doesn't even have one. Do something about that, Chicago.

Mardi Gras

Alright, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is fine. If you want to go and wade through streets paved in vomit and bad decisions and show off your body parts, be my guest. Actually, be New Orleans' guest. If you want to do it anywhere else, then you're just a drunk who is looking for an excuse to get shitfaced on a Tuesday. How about going to celebrate your first day of sobriety at a meeting instead? Then you'll have a nice, easy to remember anniversary to celebrate every year. If drinking a hurricane on Fat Tuesday means that much to you, then take your tourism dollars down to New Orleans. They'd be happy to take them.

thanks to GAWKER

Reality TV Shows for Collectors

ABC The Great Big American Auction, in production

A & E Storage Wars, Wednesdays 10 p.m.

BBC Antiques Roadshow UK, day varies, 11 p.m. (reruns)

Discovery American Treasures, Tuesdays, 7 p.m.
Auction Kings, Tuesdays 10 p.m.
Oddities, Thursdays 10:30 p.m.

Fox Buried Treasure, Wednesdays 8 p.m.

HGTV Cash & Cari, Sundays 7:30 p.m.
Cash in the Attic, Wednesdays 8 p.m.

History American Pickers, Mondays 9 p.m.
American Restoration, Fridays 10 p.m.
Pawn Stars, Mondays 10 p.m.

Lifetime Picker Sisters, Tuesdays 10 p.m.

National Geographic Auction Packed, Tuesdays 8 p.m.

NBC It's Worth What?! Tuesdays 8 p.m.

PBS Antiques Roadshow, Mondays 8 p.m. (check local listings)
History Detectives, Tuesdays 8 p.m. (check local listings)

Spike Auction Hunters, Tuesdays 10 p.m.

Syfy Hollywood Treasure, Wednesdays 10 p.m.

TLC Auctioneer$, Saturdays 10 p.m.

My Collection Obsession, in production

Tru TV Hardcore Pawn, Tuesdays 9 p.m.

Network TBD Antique Warriors, in production

Jewelry dating from ancient Egypt to modern day will be displayed in the new jewelry gallery at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The exhibit, 'Jewelry, Gems and Treasures: Ancient to Modern,' will run from July 19, 2011, to November 1, 2012. Of special interest is the studio jewelry selected from the Daphne Farago Collection of about 650 pieces. The collection is the most complete ever assembled of studio jewelry. It was donated to the museum in 2006 and 150 pieces were exhibited in 2007-08. It has been in storage since then. The collection includes jewelry by Alexander Calder, Man Ray, Sam Kramer, Art Smith, Harry Bertoia, Margaret de Patta, Ed Wiener, Betty Cooke and many other studio artists.

A $5 Million Desk and a Chair From Salem Made a Record-Setting Pair at Christie's

Courtesy Christie's Images LTD 2011
This Chippendale block-and-shell carved and figured mahogany bureau, attributed to John Goddard, sold for $5,682,500 at auction.

Courtesy Christie's Images LTD 2011
This Federal-era carved mahogany side chair that craftsman Samuel McIntire sold for $662,500.

NEW YORK— The recently wobbly American furniture and folk art segment of the auction market received a big jolt of confidence on Friday when an 18th-century Chippendale block-and-shell mahogany desk attributed to Newport, Rhode Island, cabinetmaker John Goddard, sold for a whopping $5,682,500 at Christie's. Dating from circa 1765, the figured knee-hole desk — or bureau — rocketed past presale expectations of $700-900,000 and easily crushed the result made during its last auction appearance, when it sold for $940,000 at Sotheby’s New York in January 2005.

Multiple bidders chased the piece to the $3 million threshold, where the battle was taken over by American furniture dealers C.L. Prickett and William Samaha, both known for having deep-pocketed clients, who drove it to the $5 million hammer price (before the hefty buyer’s premium). Prickett was the winner, sending a handsome return to the table's Midwestern seller, considering that the piece had appreciated sixfold in that many years' time.

Though it stands as a record in American furniture for the bureau form, and the fourth priciest piece of American furniture to sell at auction, it lags far behind the most expensive ever sold, the so-called Nicholas Brown Chippendale block-and-shell desk and bookcase, also made in Newport in circa 1760-1770, that fetched a staggering $12.1 million back at Christie’s New York in June 1989.

During the 18th century, the Rhode Island port city was a bustling hub, flush with rich merchants, and cabinetmakers there had the pick of the finest imported woods available. Goddard was one of the best-known American craftsmen from that period.

The record bureau carries the "attributed to" tag since the piece isn't signed by Goddard, but it was undoubtedly made by him, since he presented it to his daughter, Catherine Goddard on the occasion of her marriage. It stayed in her family through several generations of descendants until it was sold by the maker's great-great-granddaughter in the early 1900s. A surviving handwritten label affixed to the top drawer of the table indicates that the elaborately carved and appointed desk was a wedding gift.

"This desk bears all the unique characteristics and quality of construction that make Newport furniture of this era so highly prized among collectors," said John Hays, the deputy Christie's Americas chairman who took the sale.

The Goddard desk was the sole lot of the 280 offered that hit the seven figure mark. The entire sale made $12,766,625, with a buy-in rate by lot of 20 percent and, by value, six percent.
Another record of sorts was realized by a Federal-era carved mahogany side chair that craftsman Samuel McIntire is believed to have finished for Salem resident Elias Hasket Derby in the last decade of the 18th century. It made $662,500 against a puny $30-50,000 presale estimate, a record for any piece of Federal furniture.

Damaged Warhol Painting Gets Top Dollar

Collectors rarely shoot holes in expensive art, but Dennis Hopper, the actor and art collector, thought his Andy Warhol screenprint of Mao Zedong looked dangerous one dark night. He shot two bullet holes in the picture. Warhol thought it amusing and signed one "warning shot" and the other "bullet hole." The picture, estimated at $20,000 to $30,000, sold for $302,500 at a Christie's auction on January 12, 2011. It is a one-of-a-kind because of the artist-signed bullet holes, so the "damage" didn't lower the value.

"Save Our History" Auction Records Set

It was "save our history" week at New York auctions last week, with record prices set at Sotheby's for three items:

1) An original copy of the Lincoln Emancipation Proclamation sold for $3,778,500, the highest price ever paid at auction for a U.S. Presidential document. The 1863 document that declared the slaves were "forever free" was signed by President Abraham Lincoln. The copy that sold, one of 48 originals signed by Lincoln, belonged to Robert F. Kennedy, who bought it in 1964 while he was attorney general of the United States. The new owner remains anonymous.

2) The guidon (the flag carried on a pole that identifies the unit going into battle) carried in Custer's 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn sold for $2,210,500. The swallowtail flag was found after the battle hidden under the body of a dead soldier. All other flags had been taken by the Indians. This flag belonged to the Detroit Musem of Art and had not been on display for over 80 years. The money will be used to buy items related to American Indians.

3) The third bit of history was the document that listed the 13 rules for the game of basketball invented by James Naismith in 1891. It sold for the highest price of all, $4,338,500. The money from the sale will go to the Naismith International Basketball Foundation.

Duchess of Windsor’s Jewels Sell for $12.5 Million

An onyx and diamond panther bracelet (1952) by Cartier sold for 4.5 million pounds at auction. It had been estimated to fetch between 1 million pounds and 1.5 million pounds at Sotheby's during a sale of jewels formerly owned by the Duchess of Windsor.
A ruby, sapphire, emerald, citrine and diamond flamingo brooch designed by Jeanne Toussaint for Cartier sold for 1.7 million pounds with fees. The item had been estimated to sell for at least 1 million pounds at Sotheby's Nov. 30 auction in London of jewels owned by the Duchess of Windsor.
An 18-carat gold and gem-set cigarette case by Cartier. The item was given to the Duke of Windsor by the Duchess of Windsor as a Christmas present in 1935. Estimated at 150,000 pounds to 200,000 pounds, it was one of 20 pieces that formerly belonged to the Duchess that were sold by Sotheby's in London. The final price was 181,250 pounds
Jewels that King Edward VIII gave the woman for whom he abdicated sold for 8 million pounds ($12.5 million) in London tonight, almost twice the presale estimate, as collectors battled for works by Cartier.
The King of England stepped down in 1936 to become the Duke of Windsor and marry U.S. divorcee Wallis Simpson. Sotheby’s was offering 20 pieces that previously belonged to her. The Windsors were enthusiastic jewelry collectors. They commissioned pieces from Cartier and other makers during their courtship in the U.K. and married life in the Bahamas and France.
Eleven Cartier pieces were included in the sale that was estimated to raise as much as 4.2 million pounds at hammer prices. Among these was an onyx-and-diamond bracelet designed, with the Duke’s encouragement, in the form of a panther by Jeanne Toussaint for Cartier in 1952. This fetched 4.5 million pounds with fees. It was estimated to sell for between 1 million pounds and 1.5 million pounds, as was a flamingo-shaped brooch by Toussaint that the Duchess bought in 1940. The brooch fetched 1.7 million pounds with fees.
“The inscriptions tell the story of perhaps the greatest love story of the 20th century,” said David Bennett, Chairman of Sotheby’s Jewelry in Europe and the Middle East.
An unidentified owner was selling the items, which were acquired at Sotheby’s record “Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor” sale in Geneva in April 1987, the year after her death. At that auction, the panther bracelet and flamingo brooch sold for the equivalent of 860,082 pounds and 497,942 pounds, said Sotheby’s.
Charm Bracelet
The Duchess’s Cartier diamond charm bracelet today sold for 601,250 pounds against a low estimate of 350,000 pounds. The piece featured nine gem-set Latin crosses that commemorate moments of personal significance to the couple, including an assassination attempt on the King.
An 18-carat gold and gem-set cigarette case by Cartier inscribed with the words ``David from Wallis Christmas 1935'' and engraved with a map of holiday destinations they enjoyed together fetched 181,250 pounds. It was estimated to sell for at least 150,000 pounds.
All four lots went to telephone bidders. The flamingo was bought by the Collection Cartier and the panther was a record for a piece by Cartier, said Sotheby's. The panther was also the most expensive bracelet sold at auction.
Sotheby's 1987 Duchess of Windsor sale in Geneva fetched 75.4 million Swiss francs ($71.7 million), which remains an auction record for a single-owner collection of jewelry.
Today’s 20-lot sale carried an official low estimate of 2.9 million pounds, based on hammer prices. All the lots sold.
(Article by Scott Reyburn who writes about the art market for Muse, the arts and culture section of Bloomberg News.)

"Impressions" - World Travel Photo & Video Journal: Michelangelo - the architect! Behold the crowning jewel of Rome - the cupola of St. Peter's Basilica

"Impressions" - World Travel Photo & Video Journal: Michelangelo - the architect! Behold the crowning jewel of Rome - the cupola of St. Peter's Basilica

The Amazing Cucumber

This information was in The New York Times several weeks ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explorers for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8.. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but it won't leave streaks and won't harm your fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Great Buying and Collecting Tips for 2010

In spite of the economy, antiques can still be fun and could be profitable. Here are some collectibles that seem ready to go up in price over the next few years. So go to garage sales, flea markets, malls, and shops and look around. Even if you don't spend any money, the walking is good exercise and it's an inexpensive way to spend the day. Good luck--go find a treasure and share these tips with your friends

Chinese and Japanese furniture from the nineteenth century, whether dark wood or lacquered, is down in price and not selling well at auction. If you like it, buy it.



Carved wooden sculptures made after 1920 are now low-priced, but they're starting to sell at top auction houses. Look for works at least 12 inches high by known artists like Hans Hagenauer.


Eighteenth-century Chippendale desks with dropdown fronts are very low-priced because they are not practical as computer desks. Some desks have an open area near the drawers in the dropdown section. It can store a laptop--a new idea that makes the desk usable again. Prices will go up.


Enameled metal ashtrays, bowls, vases, and jewelry were very much in style in the 1950s. They were made with colorful, often abstract, decorations. Out of style until the 1990s, they are still low-priced. Buy pieces that are covered front and back with enamel. If a copper back shows, it was probably made by an amateur. Buy signed pieces for best resale value.



Japanese kaiju (meaning "strange beast" or "monster") toys have been the rage in Japan for over 25 years. (Think Godzilla.) Plastic and metal toys between 2 inches and several feet tall sell in Japan and in a few shops in other countries. Early kaiju toys are selling for hundreds of dollars. As interest grows, so will prices of newer toys--the way the prices of robot toys grew.


Look for old, working electrical household goods like electric fans, toasters, typewriters, telephones, television sets, computers, and even early handheld electronic games. There are collectors for all of these, usually people who like to repair the items. Often the old item is of little value until repaired, but prices are in the hundreds of dollars for the right make and model in working condition.


DIY works for antiques too. Dig your collection of bottles and it is bound to be profitable. Search attics, river beds, Grandma's house and garage sales for unrecognized treasures.


Furnish your garden and patio with antiques--planters, statues, pieces of old buildings, old flower pots, tools, fences, and even birdhouses and birdbaths. Prices have been going up for large statues, fountains, and urns. Gardening is another way to join the movement of "going green." A collectors garden should always have extra space near plants for collectibles.


Some things seem underpriced for no apparent reason: Glidden pottery, 1960s designer furniture made of metal, 1950s wooden costume jewelry, modern-design aluminum serving pieces.


Buy what you love. There is the joke of the damn fool theory of collecting: "If I was damn fool enough to buy this, there must be another damn fool who will buy it from me.


*Many thanks to Kovels for sending this to me and allowing me to share it

The 3 Forms of Jewelry / Jewellery Plus More Terms

Photo #1: Earrings with glass and rhinestones, c.1980 by Givenchy. "Fruit salad" motif

Photo #2: Sautoir necklace with dyed green chalcedony, diamonds, 18k yellow gold, and platinum c. 1970 by Van Cleef & Arpels. Makers mark "AV" for Vassort, Paris.

Photo #3: Hinged bangle Bakelite bracelet, c. 1935-45. "Philadelphia" style with serrated design; butterscotch-colored Bakelite base with geometric design laminated fins.

Photo #4: Brooch/pendant with carved opal, demantoid garnet, diamonds, 18k yellow gold, and platinum, c. 1890. A carved opal depicting a sea nymph with ocean waves by Marcus & Co.

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Fine Jewelry -
is made with precious metals, karat gold and platinum. When a piece is set with gemstones only the precious gemstones ruby, sapphire, emerald or diamond will qualify to be designated as Fine.

Bridge Jewelry -
The name is quite descriptive. This type of jewelry is made of precious metals also - usually sterling silver. The gemstones used are semi-precious such as aquamarine, garnet, citrine, amethyst , turquoise, etc. Basically any gemstone that is not one of the ones listed under fine is considered to be semi-precious.
Bridge jewelry is so named because it is the bridge between fine jewelry and costume jewelry.

Costume Jewelry -
This type of jewelry is made with base metals that are gold, rhodium or silver plated and is normally set with faceted glass stones such as rhinestones or crystals.
The term “costume jewelry” didn’t really come into being until the 20th century. There are a couple of apocryphal tales. Some people say that Coco Chanel was the first to call it costume jewelry. Other people say Florenz Ziegfeld of Ziegfeld Follies coined the term. Another source says that the first time it was used was in the New York Times. It was sometime around 1920, after World War I, when the words “costume jewelry” were first used.
　
Some of the many costume jewelry terms are:

Cabochon
A stone that has a rounded, domed surface with no facets, or a paste with a flat back.

Diamante
Faceted, highly reflective crystal or glass stones cut to resemble gemstones.

En trembling
A piece of jewelry with a motif that is mounted on a tiny spring so that it trembles when the wearer moves.

Jelly Belly
An animal pin that has a clear Lucite or glass stone in the center for the "belly."

Duette
A pin or brooch that can be worn as two separate pins or clipped together as one.
Gilding Process by which a base metal is plated with a very thin layer of gold.

Paste
Crystal or ordinary glass with a high lead content, which has been cut and faceted to look like a gemstone. Also known as rhinestone or diamante.

Vermeil
Sterling silver plated with gold. Also called silver gilt or gold wash. During the 1940s, most American costume jewelry was made of vermeil sterling silver.

Russian Gold plating
A coppery gold matte finish first used on costume jewelry in movies in the 1940s because it reduced the glare produced by studio lights.