Lot 2087. An exquisite pink sapphire and diamond brooch, by Wallace Chan. Estimate HKD 350,000 - 680,000 (USD 44,800 - 87,040). Lot sold HKD 802,400 (USD 102,707). © Poly Auction Hong Kong Limited
Designed as a butterfly, the body set with cushion and circular-cut pink sapphires, to the titanium wings enhacned by brilliant-cut diamonds, circular-cut colored sapphires trim and accents, mounted in titanium, approximately 11.5 cm long. Signed Wallace Chan 2013.03.26 no.6698
“I wanted to transform my dreams into beautiful feather-like jewels which captured the light and told their stories. They carry the message of the past to become the heritage of the future.” –Wallace Chan
Wallace Chan is recognized today not only as the jewelry creator, but also an artist and a philosopher. He founded his own gemstone-carving workshop in 1974, when he was 17. Later in his career, he spent 8 years to experiment with titanium, the most bio-friendly metal known to date. He surprised Basel world 2007 with a series of jewelry creations featuring ethereal titanium structures, the technical secrets of which he later unveiled to the world. Chan was the first Chinese jewelry artist ever invited to exhibit and deliver speeches at the GIA headquarter. In 2012 and 2014, he emerged at the Biennale des Antiquaries in Paris as the first and only Asian artist ever invited to exhibit at this fair. In 2015, Wallace Chan had his solo exhibition at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, collaborated with Christie’s. In 2016, Wallace Chan became the first Chinese jeweler artist to be invited to showcase his works in the renowned European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF), Maastricht. His works are also scheduled to be shown at Masterpiece, London in summer 2016. LOT 2087 is a butterfly brooch made from titanium metal, renowned for its exceptional lightweight and hardness. It provided the best example of Wallace's expertise on material and impeccable craftsmanship. The complicated process of anodization and oxidation is necessary to create that shimmering effect on the brilliant green color o f the wings. His signature sculpting technique is shown throughout the brooch, even on the hidden sides of the hinge and clasp. The brooch is set with variously colored sapphires of different shades, inviting viewers to further explore the design’s liveliness through the passionate eyes of Wallace Chan, the storyteller. .
Poly Auction. Magnificent Jewels, 2 October 2017 1:30pm, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong