AuctionsDec 08, 2021
Tiaras Linked to Joséphine Bonaparte Sell for $762K TotalAuctionsDec 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.
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
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
The top lot in Sotheby’s New York auction was this 6.11-carat cut-cornered rectangular modified brilliant fancy intense blue diamond ring. It went for $8 million, well above its $4.5 million-$6.5 million pre-sale estimate.
This 3.01-carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring sold for $3.9 million.
A 62.65-carat pear-shaped diamond ring ($2.9 million)
A 1.03-carat cut-cornered rectangular set-cut fancy red diamond ring that went for $2 million
This 4.88-carat fancy blue diamond ring went for $1.8 million.
A 26.54-carat emerald-cut diamond Bulgari ring that sold for $1.7 million at auction
This unmounted 83.26-carat old-mine-cut fancy yellow diamond garnered $1.4 million.
This Kashmir sapphire and diamond pendant-brooch from Mauboussin sold for $1.3 million, going for well above its pre-sale estimate of between $150,000 and $250,000.
Rounding out the auction’s top 10 was this 9.97-carat Colombian emerald ring ($1.3 million).
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.
More on Auctions
The Latest
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
Weekly QuizMay 28, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
