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A 12.54 carats Kashmir cushion-shaped sapphire ring

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Lot 233. A 12.54 carats Kashmir cushion-shaped sapphire ring. Estimate 979,000 — 1,470,000 CHF. Photo Sotheby's

Set with a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 12.54 carats, size 53. 

Accompanied by SSEF report no. 82606 and Gübelin report no. 16100043, each stating that the sapphire is of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating.  

Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels, Genève, 16 nov. 2016, 10:30 AM


Attractive 16.34 carats Kashmir cushion-shaped sapphire and diamond ring

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Lot 310. Attractive 16.34 carats Kashmir cushion-shaped sapphire and diamond ring. Estimate 690,000 — 985,000 CHF. Photo Sotheby's

Set with a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 16.34 carats, within a frame of brilliant-cut diamonds, size 52, sizing band.  

Accompanied by SSEF report no. 71490, dated 30 October 2013, and Gübelin report no.16090077, dated 19 September 2016, each stating that the sapphire is of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating; together with appendix letters.   

Note"The described gemstone exhibits an impressive size and weight of 16.341 ct combined with an attractive saturated blue colour and an excellent purity".

Excerpt from the SSEF appendix letter

Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels, Genève, 16 nov. 2016, 10:30 AM

Burmese sapphire and diamond necklace

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Lot 304. Burmese sapphire and diamond necklace. Estimate 685,000 — 979,000 CHF. Photo Sotheby's

Composed of a line of cushion-shaped sapphires alternating with similarly shaped diamonds, length approximately 375mm. 

Accompanied by Gübelin report no. 16030113, stating that the majority of the sapphires are of Burmese origin, twenty with no indications of heating, and one with indications of heating; together with fifteen Gübelin reports dated 1995.

Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels, Genève, 16 nov. 2016, 10:30 AM

Princess Marie von Hatzfeldt's 20.14 carats Kashmir cushion-shaped sapphire and diamond bangle, 1887

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Lot 318. Princess Marie von Hatzfeldt's 20.14 carats Kashmir  cushion-shaped sapphire and diamond bangle, 1887. Estimate 500,000 — 800,000 CHF. Photo Sotheby's

Set with a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 20.14 carats, between circular-cut diamond shouldersinner circumference approximately 155mm.  

Accompanied by SSEF report no. 87520 and Gübelin report no. 16090078, each stating that the sapphire is of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating, together with appendix letters.

Provenance: Princess Marie von Hatzfeldt, (1820–1897)
Her son Prince Hermann von Hatzfeldt (1848-1933) and his wife, Countess Nathalie von Benckendorff (1854–1931), formerly in Schloss Trachenberg (Silesia)
thence by descent.

NotesThe world’s finest and most sought-after sapphires are those from the legendary mines of Kashmir. First discovered in 1881 thanks to a providential landslide, the mines, located at 4,500 meters of altitude in the Himalayas' Kudi valley, produced many crystals of exceptional size and quality between 1882 and 1887. Their popularity and value were immediately recognised. As a result, the Maharajah at the time sent his troops to protect and control the Kashmir mines and prohibited private trading, leading to the end of its exploitation.

Such sapphires rapidly found their way in exquisite jewellery, such as the bangle of lot 318, which was the property of Princess Marie von Hatzfeldt until her death in 1897. It was inherited by her son, Prince Hermann von Hatzfeldt. Prince von Hatzfeldt was a prominent figure, namely the Silesian president between 1894 and 1903, which would correspond to the current role of a state minister-president. He married Countess Nathalie von Benckendorff in 1872, who then wore the bracelet. Considered as family jewellery, it would remain the prince's possession, but was made available to his wife for the duration of her life. She died in 1931. The piece was then handed down in a direct line within the succession of Hermann Fürst von Hatzfeldt after his death in 1933, and remained until today exclusively in the Silesian branch of the princely family von Hatzfeldt.

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Anton Weber, Marie Fürstin von Hatzfeldt (née von Nimpsch, 1820-1897), Schloss Trachenberg, Silesia, circa 1876. © Private Collection. By family tradition, Marie Fürstin von Hatzfeldt was the original owner of the jewels.

What elevates Kashmir sapphire above all others is the unique combination of a rich, intense blue colour, with a soft and velvety appearance. Such attributes have often been compared to the vibrant blue hue of the cornflower. This outstanding colour, which is accentuated under artificial light, is unlike that of sapphires from any other source. 

Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels, Genève, 16 nov. 2016, 10:30 AM

9.93 carats Kashmir step-cut sapphire and diamond ring

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Lot 261. 9.93 carats Kashmir step-cut sapphire and diamond ring. Estimate 470,000 — 590,000 CHF. Photo Sotheby's

Set with a step-cut sapphire weighing 9.93 carats, between baguette diamond shoulders, size 54, French import mark.  

Accompanied by SSEF report no. 85976 and Gübelin report no. 16070070, each stating that the sapphire is of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating.

Note"Since their discovery in 1881, the legendary sapphire deposits of Kashmir have acquired a reputation based on a mixture of fact and fantasy that is usually associated with the ancient gem mines of the world. [The locality is] situated in the high Himalaya Mountains of northwest India and described in early reports as “the region beyond the snows”. (…) Few gemmologists would dispute that a fine Kashmir stone displays a character that sets it apart in a world relatively abundant in corundum gems. Over the years, the term Kashmir has come to signify the most desirable and expensive of blue sapphires". 

David Atkinson and Rustam Z. Kothavala, “Kashmir Sapphire”, in Gems & Gemology, Summer 1983, pgs. 64-76.

Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels, Genève, 16 nov. 2016, 10:30 AM

23.88 carats Burmese step-cut sapphire and diamond ring

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Lot 316. 23.88 carats Burmese step-cut sapphire and diamond ring. Estimate 330,000 — 550,000 CHF. Photo Sotheby's

Set with a step-cut sapphire weighing 23.88 carats, between shield-shaped diamond shoulders, size 501/2, Italian maker's mark  

Accompanied by Gübelin report no. 1007245, dated 28 July 2010, stating that the sapphire is of Burmese origin, with no indications of heating, 'royal blue' colour, together with an appendix letter. 

Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels, Genève, 16 nov. 2016, 10:30 AM

A rare green-glazed pilgrim flask, Eastern Jin dynasty (317-420)

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A rare green-glazed pilgrim flask, Eastern Jin dynasty (317-420)

Lot 191. A rare green-glazed pilgrim flask, Eastern Jin dynasty (317-420). Estimate GBP 8,000 - GBP 10,000 (USD 9,968 - USD 12,460). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016. 

The compressed-form vase has a cylindrical neck and a pair of lug handles, covered overall in a pale green crackled glaze and supported on two short rectangular feet. 9 ½ in. (24 cm.) high.

 Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 8 November 2016, London, King Street

A gilt silver-inlaid box and cover, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)

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Lot 141. A gilt silver-inlaid box and cover, Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Estimate GBP 15,000 - GBP 25,000 (USD 18,690 - USD 31,150). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016. 

The box is in the shape of a ruyi. The top is inset in coral, mother-of-pearl and semi-precious stones with a central shou character surrounded by five bats wu fu, all on a filigree geometric ground. 3 ½ in. (9 cm.) wide.

 Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 8 November 2016, London, King Street


A gilt-bronze circular box and cover, Qianlong four-character mark and possibly of the period (1736-1795)

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Lot 138. A gilt-bronze circular box and cover, Qianlong four-character mark and possibly of the period (1736-1795). Estimate GBP 10,000 - GBP 15,000 (USD 12,460 - USD 18,690). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016. 

The cover is moulded with three pomegranates and blossoming branches. The sides of the box are decorated with further flowers. 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm.) diam.

 Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 8 November 2016, London, King Street

A gold globular waterpot, 19th century

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Lot 139. A gold globular waterpot, 19th century. Estimate GBP 15,000 - GBP 20,000 (USD 18,690 - USD 24,920). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016. 

The rounded waterpot is moulded to the sides with mythical winged animals amongst crashing waves and rocks. The base has an incised Kangxi four-character mark. 2 7/8 in.( 7.3 cm.) wide.

 Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 8 November 2016, London, King Street

A rare huanghuali 'southern officials hat' armchair, nanguanmaoyi, Ming dynasty, 17th century

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Lot 200. A rare huanghuali'southern officials hat' armchair, nanguanmaoyi, Ming dynasty, 17th century. Estimate GBP 50,000 - GBP 70,000 (USD 62,300 - USD 87,220). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016. 

The chair is finely carved with a ruyi-shaped panel to the shaped backsplat, flanked by corner posts which extend through the rectangular seat frame enclosing a mat seat. The outcurved arms are supported by tapering side posts and front posts extending to the front legs. The legs are joined by a beaded apron carved with foliate scrolls, above long spandrels. The feet are joined by the footrest and side stretchers supported by aprons. 40 3/8 in. (112.6 cm.) high, 23 ¾ in. (62.8 cm.) wide, 19 ¾ in. (50.2 cm.) deep.

 Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 8 November 2016, London, King Street

A rare huanghuali low back chair, meiguiyi, 17th-18th century

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Lot 198. A rare huanghuali low back chair, meiguiyi, 17th-18th century. Estimate GBP 30,000 - GBP 50,000 (USD 37,380 - USD 62,300). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016. 

The chair has a straight toprail, with a beaded shaped apron extending to the spandrels. The mat seat has a wide frame and the legs are joined by further beaded shaped aprons and stretchers. 34 in. (86.3 cm.) high, 22 1/8 in. (56.2 cm.) wide, 17 ¼ in. (43.8 cm.) deep.

 Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 8 November 2016, London, King Street

A rare huanghuali horseshoe-back armchair, quanyi, Ming dynasty, 17th century

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Lot 199. A rare huanghuali horseshoe-back armchair, quanyi, Ming dynasty, 17th century. Estimate GBP 30,000 - GBP 50,000 (USD 37,380 - USD 62,300). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016. 

The sweeping crest rail terminates in outswept hooks above shaped spandrels, forming an elegant curve above the S-shaped splat carved with a ruyi-head roundel flanked by beaded shaped spandrels. The rear posts continue to form the back legs below the rectangular frame above shaped, beaded aprons and spandrels carved to the front with foliate scrolls, and plain beaded aprons and spandrels on the sides. The legs are joined by stretchers. 38 7/8 in. (98.8 cm.) high, 26 3/8 in. (67 cm.) wide, 23 ¾ in. (60.4 cm.) deep.

 Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 8 November 2016, London, King Street

Katharine Augusta Carl (1865–1938) in Chinese dress

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Katharine Augusta Carl (1865–1938) in Chinese dress

The sister of Francis A. Carl, who worked for Sir Robert Hart at the Imperial Chinese Maritime Customs Service, was an American painter and author who spent nine months in China in 1903 painting a portrait of the Empress Dowager Cixi for the St. Louis Exposition. On her return to America, she published a book about her experience, titled "With the Empress Dowager". Carl died in 1938 in New York.

Wellington Koo, Chinese Ambassador to the Court of St James

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Wellington Koo, Chinese Ambassador to the Court of St James.


Hui-lan Oei (Madame Wellington Koo), photographed by E.O. Hoppé, 1921

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Hui-lan Oei (Madame Wellington Koo), photographed by E.O. Hoppé, 1921.

Ivory cup, Bernhard Strauss, Augsburg, c. 1660-1670

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Ivory cup, Bernhard Strauss, Augsburg, c. 1660-1670, ivory© Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Fan Ho: A Hong Kong Mémoire

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Fan Ho, A Hong Kong Mémoire, 1950-1960.

Cristobal Balenciaga, Haute Couture 1960

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Cristobal Balenciaga, Haute Couture 1960

Cristobal Balenciaga, Haute Couture 1960

René Gruau, 1954, Balenciaga, Vogue US

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René Gruau, 1954, Balenciaga, Vogue US

René Gruau, 1954, Balenciaga, Vogue US

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