Lot 50 – An Elegant Four Row Basra Pearl Necklace, Circa: 1940
Estimate: INR 1.25 – 1.30 crores | US$ 176,056 – 183,099. Pearls have always been associated with elegance. This four row Basra pearl necklace is composed of 327 graduating pearls. The necklace Art Deco terminals set with diamonds and baguettes in white gold.
Basra pearls originate from the Persian Gulf mainly Bahrain. Due to oil exploration in the early 1920s the environment was no longer suitable for the natural formation of these pearls and one does not often find this quality and size anymore.
Gross Weight: 97.680 gms
Diamond Weight: 8 cts*
Pearls Weight: 567 chau (327 pieces)
Size: 19.3 in (49 cm)
Lot 35 – An Important Gold Bracelet set with Rose Cut Diamonds, Circa 1930
Estimate: INR 40 – 42 lakhs | US$ 56,338 – 59,155
This stunning vintage bracelet, composed of a floral motif at the centre is set with rose-cut diamonds. The central portrait cut diamond is approximately 6 cts. Portrait cut diamonds were usually set as watch dials and used for important pendants.
Gross Weight: 91.060 gms
Diamond Weight: 30.00 cts*
Size: 6.73 in (17.1 cm) In length
Lot 39 – A Pair of Important Platinum Ear Pendants Set With Diamonds and Pearls, circa 1930 Estimate: INR 90 lakhs – 1 crore | US$ 126,761 – 140,845
These platinum ear pendants bow-knot flower motif. The earring backs are attached to pearl buttons that extend into a floral spray set with old cut diamonds. The earrings culminate into Basra pearl drops that are attached to diamond flutes.
The lot is accompanied by a SSEF certificate stating that the pearls are natural saltwater pearls.
Gross Weight: 29.270 gms
Diamond Weight: 5 cts* (120 pieces)
Pearl Weight: 48 cts* (4 pieces)
Size: 2.4 in (6.5 cm)
Lot 38 – A Pair of Diamond Ear Pendants Set In Platinum, Circa 1950
Estimate: INR 25 – 27 lakhs | US$ 35,211 – 38,028
This pair of stunning platinum ear pendants are set with old European cut diamonds. The foliate motif of the ear pendant extends into a flower-head diamond cluster setting with a large old European cut diamond in the middle. The two central diamonds in both the ear pendants weigh about 6 cts.
Gross Weight: 15.540 gms
Diamond Weight: 10.50 cts* (Small)
Diamond Weight: 6.00 cts* (2 Large)
Size: 1.6 in (4 cm)
Circa: 1950
Lot 49 – An Important Pair of Diamond and Emerald Ear Pendants, circa 1940 Estimate: INR 79 – 83 lakhs |US$ 111,268 – 116,901
This splendid pair of ear pendants have an European cut diamond ear top and fine emerald drops suspended. It is very rare to come across such fine European cut diamonds, since majority of such diamonds are recut into modern brilliant cut diamonds. The 35 cts emerald drops are superb quality and colour the virtuosity of its represents at its pinnacle grandeur at its pinnacle.
Gross weight: 12.11gms
Diamond Weight: 3.23 cts* and 3.11 cts* (2 pieces)
Emerald Weight: 35.82 cts*
Size: 1.2 in (3 cm)
Lot 8 – Set of 12 Vintage Diamond Sherwani Buttons, circa 1940s
Estimate: INR 3,50,000 – 4,00,000 | US$ 4,930 – 5,634
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.
Gross Weight: 64.37 gms
Diamond Weight: 6.14 cts* (168 pieces)
Size: Big buttons 0.9 in (2.2 cm)
Small Buttons: 0.6 in (1.5 cm)
Lot 14 – A Pair of Vintage Gold and Diamond Kadas, Circa 1920,
Estimate: INR 70 – 75 lakhs | US$ 98,592 – 105,634
This lot is a prime example of impeccable Indian craftsmanship. The delicate Jaali work is intricately made and there are no solder points visible. Such an exquisite collection of high dome old Golconda mine rose cut diamonds is very rare to come by. Mounted in gold with open-work filigree.
Gross Weight: 201.100 gms
Diamond eight: 55 cts*
Size: 2.75 in (7cm) Diameter
Golconda is synonymous with one of the finest diamonds in the world. In ancient times, Golconda used to be an important diamond trading and mining centre and the stones excavated in this region were coveted for their remarkable size and a high degree of transparency. Some of the world’s most popular and historically significant diamonds have been excavated from the mines in this region. Diamonds like the Koh-I-Noor, the Regent, the Great Mogul and the Tavernier Blue are all Golconda diamonds. In today’s day and age, it is incredibly rare to come across these diamonds, and they mostly belong in museums or the collection of Royal families. Golconda diamonds symbolize the opulence of India and its association with precious stones.
Even the technique used to design the kadas stems from a long tradition of excellent Indian craftsmanship of the Patiala region. The method is recognized by the intricate filigree work that goes into creating a specific design. This form of detailed work seeks inspiration from the jali screens that were a prominent architectural feature during the Mughal region. The kadas represent both the excellence of Golconda diamonds and the finesse of the traditional jali work technique. They also bring forth the country’s long-term association of diamonds with purity, wealth and happiness.
Lot 18 – A Sutie of Diamond & 18K Gold Jewellery by LaCloche, Circa 1950
Estimate: INR 25 – 27 lakhs | US$ 35,211 – 38,028
The presented suite consists of a necklace, ear clips, a bracelet and a ring en suite. The necklace is designed as a tapered series of ribbed gold bars, and circular cut diamonds enhance the central section. The ring, ear clips and the bracelet are designed in a similar fashion. This suite belongs to the Art Moderne period of jewellery design wherein Lacloche was experimenting a lot with textile inspired gold jewellery that was often twisted, braided, woven, and festooned.
Combined Weight: 278.400 gms
Diamond Weight: 20.00 cts*
Circa: 1950
The maison Lacloche, founded in 1875, is known for its designer jewellery. The house especially gained popularity during the Art Deco period of the 1920s after they exhibited at the 1925 Paris Exposition des Art Décoratifs to great acclaim. They won the Grand Prix for their display of fabulous jewels including a range of pendants and bracelets inspired by the classic fables of Fontaine. Lacloche created jewellery for notable royal and aristocratic figures, including Loelia Ponsonby, Duchess of Westminster, Queen Victoria of Spain, Britain’s King Edward VII, the kings of Greece and Siam, and Hollywood stars like Grace Kelly. The mansion used a lot of elements from the east and the motifs prevalent in Oriental art to design their statement pieces. The Lacloche Frères legacy continues to resonate through the fine jewels that they created.
Continued Page 2