AuctionsMay 10, 2022
See the 12 JAR Jewels Headed to Christie’s New York AuctionsApr 19, 2023
25 Jewels by JAR Coming to Auction at Christie’s
Christie’s says it is the largest collection of JAR jewels ever to be sold at auction.
This pair of sapphire, gray diamond, and white diamond earrings by JAR is one of 15 pairs of earrings by the designer that Christie’s Geneva will offer at its May 17 jewelry auction. They are expected to garner nearly $400,000.
Geneva—Twenty-five pieces by famed designer Joel Arthur Rosenthal, or JAR, will go up on the auction block next month at Christie’s jewelry auction in Geneva.
The auction house said it is the largest collection of JAR jewels ever offered at auction, amassed over a 15-year period by an “important art and jewels collector” who wishes to remain anonymous.
The collector, Christie’s said, first saw pieces by JAR during the “The Jewels of JAR, Paris” exhibition that took place in London in 2002 and 2003.
Five years later, they were in a position to acquire their first piece and have decided now is the time to pass on the collection.
“A Refined Eye—Fabulous Jewels by JAR” will be part of Christie’s “Magnificent Jewels” auction on May 17.
JAR crafted these “Geranium” earrings in nephrite jade. They are expected to sell for as much as $33,468 at Christie’s Geneva upcoming jewelry auction, “A Refined Eye—Fabulous Jewels by JAR.”
JAR’s pansy earrings are set with colored gemstones. They are expected to sell for between $167,306 and $278,843.
The pre-sale estimate on the designer’s “Ivy Leaves” earrings is $334,623-$557,705.
The collection includes 15 pairs of earrings, a third of which are nature inspired.
There are a pair of the designer’s signature “Geranium” earrings crafted of carved nephrite jade (estimate $22,312-$33,468) as well as earrings depicting another flower JAR regularly used in his designs, the pansy, as well as a pair of diamond “Ivy Leaves” earrings (estimate $334,687-$557,803), all pictured in the gallery above.
For those looking for something a little more off beat from the designer, who is known for walking the line between what is considered traditional “fine jewelry” and more sculptural and expressive “art jewelry,” check out JAR’s “Eye” bangle (below).
JAR’s sapphire, diamond, and spinel “Eye” bangle is estimated to sell for $150,000 to $250,000.
This 25-piece JAR collection may be the largest ever to come to auction, but it is not the first time Christie’s has sold a private collection of the designer’s work.
It auctioned actress Ellen Barkin’s JAR jewels in 2006, the “Lily Safra Jewels for Hope Collection” in 2012 and, most recently, a dozen JAR jewels belonging to Ann Getty, which went for five times their pre-sale estimate last year.
Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Geneva auction is part of what could be a record-setting spring for the industry’s major auction houses.
The week prior, Christie’s will host the sale of “The World of Heidi Horten” in Geneva.
Horten was an Austrian billionaire who quietly amassed an impressive collection of jewels from Bulgari, Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels, and more. It is expected to garner $150 million, breaking the auction record set by the sale of legendary jewelry lover Elizabeth Taylor’s collection.
On June 7 in New York, Christie’s is holding “The Magnificent Jewels of Anne Eisenhower” sale, which will include the ruby and diamond Van Cleef & Arpels “Jarretière” bracelet that once belonged to screen siren Marlene Dietrich, followed by its Magnificent Jewels New York sale.
Rival Sotheby’s will follow with its own New York Magnificent Jewels sale on June 8 that will feature two potentially record-setting stones—the 55.22-carat Mozambican ruby dubbed the “Estrela de Fura” and “The Eternal Pink,” a 10.57-carat purplish pink diamond.
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