Auctions

This Ring Belonging to a Klimt Muse Just Sold at Auction

AuctionsDec 13, 2018

This Ring Belonging to a Klimt Muse Just Sold at Auction

The diamond “toi et moi” ring was owned by the husband of Adele Bloch-Bauer, better known as “The Woman in Gold.”

20181213_womaningold.jpg
This diamond and colored diamond “toi et moi” ring was owned by the Bloch-Bauer family for a century before appearing at auction at Sotheby’s London this week.
London—The worlds of fine art and jewelry merged at Sotheby’s London Fine Jewels sale this week.

 Headlining the jewelry auction was a “toi et moi” ring from the Art Nouveau period originally belonging to Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer and believed to have been worn by his wife, Adele, the subject of famed painter Gustav Klimt’s “The Woman in Gold.” 

wn diamond and a 1.85-carat round near-colorless diamond, the ring was estimated to sell for approximately $6,322 to $8,850, but smashed those figures, garnering $55,318. 

 Of the piece’s historical significance, the head of Sotheby’s London jewelry department, Kristian Spofforth, said: “The story of this ring intertwines with that of one of the most iconic paintings in the history of art. 

 “Klimt immortalized Adele Bloch-Bauer in an armor of gold and jewels, demonstrating the rich dialogue between the disciplines in the Art Nouveau movement. The jewel is a glittering fragment of the opulence of early 20th-century Vienna. The simplicity of its design and its beautiful curved lines also make it a jewel of timeless modernity.”

 Adele Bloch-Bauer was a society figure and patron of the arts in turn-of-the-century Vienna. She was born into a wealthy Jewish Viennese family in 1881, and in 1899 married industrialist Ferdinand Bloch.

 Together, Adele and Ferdinand were key players in the burgeoning capital of art, music, architecture, philosophy and literature, hosting creatives like Stefan Zweig and Arthur Schnitzler at their famed weekly salons.

 Adele died of meningitis in 1925, at age 43. Klimt’s painting of her cloaked in gold and jewels (which actually was called  “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I”) was stolen by the Nazis, and was one of a handful of works belonging to the Bloch-Bauer family that relatives later successfully fought the Austrian government to return. The family's fight was the subject of a 2015 movie starring Helen Mirren called “Woman in Gold.”


As for the toi et moi ring, Ferdinand eventually gave it to his great-niece Helen Marie Stutzova as a wedding present. She in turn bequeathed it to her daughter, Charlotte Mayer.

 The ring’s fascinating history doesn’t end there. It made its way to London in 1939 when Stutzova and Mayer fled to the English capital to escape the Nazis. Mayer became an accomplished sculptor in the United Kingdom and the ring remained in the family until its sale Tuesday to a private bidder.

 For more sale results, visit Sotheby’s website.



 
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Bea Bongiasca Animali Tarallo Collection Royal Blue Tang Fish “Dory”
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a Zoo

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For Now

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Natural color diamonds on display at Smithsonian National Museum of History
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 02, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on Tariffs

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Punchmark
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client Workshop

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

Bergman Jewelers family
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 Years

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry storefront
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent Jeweler

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New President

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

Jewelers of America’s new logo
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

Diamond earrings held in gloved hand
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft Recovered

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

×

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