AuctionsOct 15, 2021
The Duchess of Windsor’s First Anniversary Gift Is Going to AuctionAuctionsOct 18, 2021
See the Results of ‘Wearable Art: Jewels from the Crawford Collection’
Pablo Picasso’s “Grand Faune” pendant was the jewelry auction’s top lot.
This Pablo Picasso 23-karat gold “Grande Faune” pendant was the top lot at Bonhams Los Angeles’ “Wearable Art: Jewels from the Crawford Collection” auction last week.
Los Angeles—Bonhams Los Angeles’ “Wearable Art: Jewels from the Crawford Collection” auction last week highlighted jewelry as a medium of choice for artists like Pablo Picasso and Max Ernst.
It also featured works from artists who considered jewelry the main vehicle for their artistry, like renowned Hopi Native American artist Charles Loloma.
The single-owner collection featured more than 300 pieces of jewelry from over 30 artists, all crafted in the 20th century and collected by Byron and Jill Crawford over a lifetime. Ninety-five percent of lots were sold to total more than $1.7 million.
The sale’s top lot was Pablo Picasso’s “Grand Faune” pendant (pictured at top), which fell within its pre-sale estimate range, garnering $62,813.
The auction’s unmistakable star, however, was Charles Loloma, with his pieces accounting for eight of the top 10 lots.
According to Bonhams, Loloma’s top-selling piece, which was the second highest overall in the sale—a gold and multi-stone inlay cuff circa 1975 (above)—set a record for the artist’s work at auction when it sold for $56,563, within its pre-sale estimate.
The No. 3 top-selling lot was Loloma’s gold and turquoise ring, which trounced its $5,000-$7,000 estimate when it sold for $40,313.
“It was such a pleasure to work with a sale featuring more than 300 pieces of wearable sculpture representing a cross-section of important and beautiful 20th-century artist jewelry from more than 30 master makers,” said Bonhams Los Angeles Director of Jewels Emily Waterfall.
“This sale was an education in great studio jewelry rarely seen at auction from Betty Cooke and Margaret De Patta to William Spratling, Pablo Picasso, Charles Loloma, and many more. With the excitement and success of the sale, and the new auction records established, we have opened up an important new area for Bonhams.”
Bonhams noted an auction record was set for a Jesse Monongya work, with the artist’s gold and multi-stone “Night Sky” cuff (above) earning $21,562, well above its high-end $15,000 estimate.
Likewise, an auction record was set for William Spratling jewelry for the silver and amethyst “Jaguar” necklace and brooch, which went for $15,300.
A gold convertible necklace from Baltimore artist Betty Cooke, who currently has a retrospective at The Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore, sold for $9,562, though its high-end estimate was only $5,000.
Full results are available at Bonhams.com.
Related stories will be right here …
It also featured works from artists who considered jewelry the main vehicle for their artistry, like renowned Hopi Native American artist Charles Loloma.
The single-owner collection featured more than 300 pieces of jewelry from over 30 artists, all crafted in the 20th century and collected by Byron and Jill Crawford over a lifetime. Ninety-five percent of lots were sold to total more than $1.7 million.
The sale’s top lot was Pablo Picasso’s “Grand Faune” pendant (pictured at top), which fell within its pre-sale estimate range, garnering $62,813.
The auction’s unmistakable star, however, was Charles Loloma, with his pieces accounting for eight of the top 10 lots.
Charles Loloma (1921-1999) 14-karat gold, turquoise, coral, and lapis lazuli cuff circa 1975
According to Bonhams, Loloma’s top-selling piece, which was the second highest overall in the sale—a gold and multi-stone inlay cuff circa 1975 (above)—set a record for the artist’s work at auction when it sold for $56,563, within its pre-sale estimate.
The No. 3 top-selling lot was Loloma’s gold and turquoise ring, which trounced its $5,000-$7,000 estimate when it sold for $40,313.
“It was such a pleasure to work with a sale featuring more than 300 pieces of wearable sculpture representing a cross-section of important and beautiful 20th-century artist jewelry from more than 30 master makers,” said Bonhams Los Angeles Director of Jewels Emily Waterfall.
“This sale was an education in great studio jewelry rarely seen at auction from Betty Cooke and Margaret De Patta to William Spratling, Pablo Picasso, Charles Loloma, and many more. With the excitement and success of the sale, and the new auction records established, we have opened up an important new area for Bonhams.”
Gold and multi-stone “Night Sky” cuff, Jesse Monongya
Bonhams noted an auction record was set for a Jesse Monongya work, with the artist’s gold and multi-stone “Night Sky” cuff (above) earning $21,562, well above its high-end $15,000 estimate.
Likewise, an auction record was set for William Spratling jewelry for the silver and amethyst “Jaguar” necklace and brooch, which went for $15,300.
A gold convertible necklace from Baltimore artist Betty Cooke, who currently has a retrospective at The Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore, sold for $9,562, though its high-end estimate was only $5,000.
Full results are available at Bonhams.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
