Fine Silver & Exceptional Timepieces
India’s premium online auction house, AstaGuru, will return with its exclusive sale featuring Heirloom
Jewellery, Fine Silver and Exceptional Timepieces on 20 – 21 October, 2020. Featuring over 100 lots,
the annual online auction comprises a curated selection of vintage Indian & European jewellery which
is bound to excite collectors and jewellery enthusiasts. These carefully selected jewellery and silver
pieces define the virtuosity of vintage design and craftsmanship in their truest form. An excellent
collection of 54 timepieces and clocks will also be offered in the auction including watches from some
of the most sought-after luxury brands such as Patek Phillipe, Vacheron Constantin, IWC, Rolex,
Richard Mille, and many more.
Commenting on the auction, Jay Sagar, Specialist, AstaGuru, said, “We are extremely proud to present
the catalogue for our upcoming Heirloom Jewellery, Silver and Timepieces auction. These auctions give
us the opportunity to showcase the untapped potential in the vintage jewellery and silver segment in
the Indian market, and therefore AstaGuru was the first Indian auction house to present an exclusive
sale in this segment. Many of the vintage jewellery pieces included in the auction were commissioned
by important royal families in the country and are a testament to India’s long-standing relationship
with jewellery design and adornment. The auction market for jewellery in India is maturing, and the
credit goes to enthusiasts and seasoned jewellery collectors, who follow the happenings at auctions,
and are always looking to better their knowledge in these categories. Therefore, with a well-informed
audience that appreciates the historical significance, and the rarity of the featured lots, we are inspired
to present pieces that are worthy of a place in their collections.”
Heirloom Jewellery (Lots 1- 50)
Leading the sale is a, ‘Four Row Basra Pearl Necklace’, (lot 50) circa 1940s, which is estimated at INR
1,25,00,000 – 1,30,00,000 (US$ 176,056 – 183,099) The necklace is composed of 327 graduating Basra
pearls and features Art Deco terminals set with diamonds and baguettes in white gold. The process
of assembling such a well-matched arrangement of natural pearls similar in shape, lustre, and colour
involves a long process that may take up to a few years, making it an extremely significant piece.
Another important highlight is an elegant (lot 35) ‘Gold Bracelet set with Rose Cut Diamonds’ from
circa 1900s estimated at INR 40,00,000 – 42,00,000 (US$ 56,338 – 59,155). The stunning vintage
bracelet is composed of a delicate floral motif at the centre and is entirely set with rose-cut diamonds.
The central portrait cut diamond is approximately 6cts, and the bracelet has a foil back setting.
Other highlights from the segment include a stunning ‘Pair of Diamond Ear Pendants Set in Platinum’
(lot 38) & ‘An Important Pair of Diamond and Emerald ear pendants’ (lot 49) estimated between INR
25 – 27 lakhs (US$ 35,211 – 38,028) and INR 79 – 83 lakhs (US$ 111,268 – 116,901) respectively. Apart
from stunning pieces for women the auction also features an excellent (lot 8) ‘Set of 12 Vintage
Diamond Sherwani Buttons’, circa 1940s for men. This set consists of six large and six small buttons.
The larger buttons have diamonds set in a star-shaped motif with a turquoise blue guilloche enamel
background. The smaller buttons have diamonds set in the foreground in a slightly different star-
shaped motif with a deep green guilloche enamel as the background. All the 12 pieces are set in gold
and white metal and carry an estimate between INR 3,50,000 – 4,00,000 (US$ 4,930 – 5,634).
Fine Silver (Lots 51 – 64)
A significant lot in the fine silver segment is An Important English Hallmark Silver Dinner Service by
Roberts & Belk, Circa 1980 (lot 59). Comprising of 75 pieces that include 10 Dinner Plates, 12 Cream
Cups, 8 Dessert Bowls & serving apparatus this extensive collection is estimated at INR 55 – 60 lakhs
(US$ 77,465 – 84,507). This impressive Dinner Service by Roberts and Belk has been designed with
Victorian aesthetics and can serve a party of 10. The set consists of items that cater to multiple courses
and is ideal for a formal theme sit down dinner. The set has items for individual portion service as well
as larger slavers and platters for Hors D’oeuvre & Entrée preparations. The famed silversmith, based
in London has a long-standing legacy and even were manufacturers for the British Army during WWI.
Exceptional Timepieces (Lots 65 – 118)
The ‘Exceptional Timepieces’ segment will have an assortment of creations ranging from Vintage Table
Clocks to state-of-the-art modern pieces.
Leading the sale is a Richard Mille Extra Flat RM-033 18K Gold Skeleton Dial Wristwatch (lot 117)
carrying an estimate of INR 45 – 50 lakhs (US$ 63,380 – 70,423). Features include – Automatic
movement, movement no. 7380, calibre – RMXP1, 42 hrs power reserve, 29 jewels, adjusted 5
position, frequency – 21600 A/h, Gold case with a transparent dial & back case (skeleton), applied
Roman numerals to indicate the hour with applied white luminescence hour marker above the
numerals, gold crafted hands for hour & minute. Rubber strap with a double-fold titanium clasp and
gold buckle. Water resistance – 3 ATM. Dial, case, movement, strap & buckle signed.
A Patek Phillipe ANNUAL CALENDAR 18CT YELLOW GOLD “COMPLETE SET” (lot 109) is estimated at
INR 10 – 12 lakhs (US$ 14,086 – 16,901). The watch features an automatic movement, Calibre – 315
S IRM QA LU, 36 jewels, 48 hrs power reserve, Gyromax balance-wheel, 21’600 vibrations per hour,
355 components, 21K yellow gold central rotor (engraved with logo), the day, month, date and moon-
phase have quick set pushers recessed into the case, gold case with a creamy enamel dial with gold
baton markers, gold hands and numerals at 12, 9, 3 – the moon-phase is a gold disk displays: full / new
moon each lunar month. The hour & minute hands have applied luminescence as does the dial at each
hour mark. A gold sweep second hand, date aperture at 6 o’clock position, original brown leather strap
with 18k gold clasp. Water resistance – 30 meters. Transparent case back with sapphire crystal display
back. Dial & movement signed; crown, clasp & strap branded with logo.
A Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time Silver Dial Wristwatch (lot 76) is estimated at INR 8 – 9
lakhs (US$ 11,268 – 12,676). Features include – automatic antimagnetic movement, caliber – 1222SC,
power reserve – 40 hrs, steel case with a silver dial with three subsidiary dials – power reserve, date &
dual time zone display, dial with applied white luminescence index batons to indicate hours, steel
bezel and screw – down back case engraved with the motif of a ship at sea, blued crafted hands for
hour and minute with white luminescence and a black sweep seconds hand. Functions – dual hour
zones, power reserve display, date function, GMT, water resistance – 150 meters, sapphire crystal dial
cover. Dial, case-back, signed, crown & clasp branded.
Another Elegant Patek Philippe White Golden Elipsse Wristwatch (lot 100) is included in the auction
and is estimated at INR 6 – 7 lakhs (US$ 8,451 – 9,859). Features include – Manual winding movement,
movement no. 1277087, calibre – 16- 250. Case in white gold with a blued enamel dial centred with
white gold, with crafted hands with white luminesce for hour and minute. White gold bezel. White
gold case back and crown. Dial and clasp signed; crown branded with logo. Circa: 1970s
An Impressive Art Deco Marble Clock Set by Japy Freres (lot 67) comprising of a fine table clock deftly
executed in marble, attached to the sides are identical figurines of women in bronze will also feature
in this sale. This clock is also accompanied with a pair of garnitures executed in marble. Marble design
of the clock and the garnitures complement each other, the face of the dial is painted with Arabic
numerals, crafted hands indicating hour & minutes. This one-of-a-kind piece will be estimated INR 3 –
4 lakhs (US$ 4,225 – 5,634).
The auction will also include a number of limited-edition watches.