Auctions

See the Most Expensive Louis Comfort Tiffany Piece Ever Sold at Auction

AuctionsDec 09, 2021

See the Most Expensive Louis Comfort Tiffany Piece Ever Sold at Auction

The “Medusa” pendant went for $3.7 million at Sotheby’s New York, smashing pre-sale estimates.

20211209_Tiffany-Medusa-pendant.jpg
This circa 1904 opal, garnet and gold “Medusa” pendant is one of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s first jewelry designs. It smashed its pre-sale estimates at auction Tuesday, garnering more than $3.5 million.
New York—The “Medusa” pendant was one of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s earliest designs, so it’s no surprise the piece set a record when it went up for auction this week.

Though Tiffany eventually came to be known for his painting, interior design, and glass and enamel work (and for being the first design director at his family’s jewelry company, Tiffany & Co.), he initially started designing jewelry in 1902 for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, a.k.a. the St. Louis World’s Fair, in 1904.

The “Medusa” pendant was showcased at this event, alongside 26 other items from Tiffany, of which only four are known to exist today, according to Sotheby’s.

Designed at a time when jewelry design in both America and Europe was turning away from revival styles and toward nature as a source of inspiration, the “Medusa” pendant clearly shows how the natural world captivated Tiffany.

At the center of the piece is a cluster of tumbled opals, from which emerge several stylized snake motifs, two of which are articulated and all of which are set with opals and demantoid garnets.

The piece is further accented with rubies and amethysts.

Art collector and philanthropist Henry Walter bought the Medusa pendant sometime after it was displayed at the World’s Fair, but then history lost track of the piece for a bit. The pendant was listed as “whereabouts unknown” after the Parke-Bernet Galleries sold it at auction in 1943.

It is believed entrepreneur and business leader Salman Schocken bought it at that auction, Sotheby’s said. His grandson, professor Shimon Schocken, indicated it was a gift to his mother from her father-in-law, Salman, and it has stayed in the Schocken family, until now.

When Medusa hit the auction block at Sotheby’s New York Tuesday, it sold for $3.7 million, smashing its pre-sale estimate of $100,000-$200,000 and setting a world record for any Louis Comfort Tiffany creation at auction.

According to Sotheby’s, three bidders competed for nearly 10 minutes to purchase the pendant, which was the third highest-grossing lot at the sale.

See: The Lots Joining ‘Medusa’ in the Top 10

Overall, Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction achieved $57.1 million, representing the second highest total for a jewelry auction at its New York galleries, with 13 of the lots exceeding $1 million.

The sale also included an extensive collection of jewels from a private American collector, featuring what Sotheby’s called one of the most significant private collections of Bulgari to come to market. Ninety-three percent of those lots found a buyer, bringing in $9 million total.

The collection was led by a 26.54-carat D color diamond Bulgari ring, which garnered $1.7 million.

For the full results of the Dec. 7 Magnificent Jewels auction, visit Sothebys.com

 Related stories will be right here … 

The Latest

The Gemological Institute of America’s logo
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown Diamonds

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

Exterior of the Venetian and the Las Vegas Sphere
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 Sessions

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

JCK show
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

DCA-student-cert-NJ1872x1052-2.png
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry Business

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

Amy Curran
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

Weekly QuizMay 30, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Daymond John
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

The eight rings in Viviana Langhoff’s AU79 jewelry collection
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into Gold

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

Article Image 1.png
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

Gold and diamond bangles on a pair of jeans
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

Woman’s hand holding shopping bags
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

Dakota Johnson as Roberto Coin Brand Ambassador
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand Ambassador

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

Mason Kay Jade necklace
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade Reports

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

Gemfields ruby
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat Ruby

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Adobe Stock image of skyline of Bangkok, Thailand
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Seaman Schepps pearl earrings
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

David Allouche
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein Diamonds

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Zoë Chicco Bracelets
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable Environment

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Renato Cipullo Hematite Blaze Necklace
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ Necklace

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs Invalid

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

Britney Spears
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry Line

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Inoveo Platinum Grain image.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by Stuller

Sponsored by Stuller

Grizzly Mining Pilala emerald
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat Emerald

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.

GemFind Logo
TechnologyMay 29, 2025
GemFind Launches AI Product Description Software

GemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.

Graff Fontainebleau Las Vegas
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Graff Unveils New Las Vegas Flagship

The 3,300-square foot location is the jeweler's largest store in North America.

Kim Kardashian
CrimeMay 28, 2025
8 Convicted in Kim Kardashian Jewelry Heist Trial

Aging and with myriad health issues, none will serve time for their roles in robbing the billionaire celebrity at gunpoint in 2016.

New York Liberty 2024 WNBA Championship Ring
CollectionsMay 28, 2025
NY Liberty’s 2024 Championship Rings Honor Historic Win

The WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy