On 20 and 21 November, the auction house Sotheby’s will be selling several objects belonging to Mrs. Paul Mellon, Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon. This wealthy American couple, patrons of the arts, have accumulated a particularly impressive collection of art objects over the years.
Several days of sales will see the dispersion of more than 2000 lots, mostly from the Virginia property where the couple lived during the time of Mr. Paul Mellon, who died in 1999. Proceeds from the sales will go to the Gerard B. Lambert Foundation, created by Mrs. Mellon in memory of her father. Its main purpose is to support education in the horticultural field, Bunny Mellon’s passion.
Mrs. Mellon loved jewellery, that’s a fact! Buyers will be able to bid on pieces from Van Cleef and Arpels, Verdura, Tiffany and Cartier. Let’s take a look at all of them!
Lot 25: A pair of yellow gold, diamond and emerald earrings. Signed by Van Cleef and Arpels. Estimated at $25,000 to $35,000. Photo: Sotheby’s
Lot 36: River of diamonds on yellow gold by Cartier. Estimated weight of over 110 carats and “Fancy deep yellow” engraved clasp diamond. Estimate between $1,250,000 and $1,500,000. Photo: Sotheby’s
Lot 37: Platinum pendant set with a 9.75-carat GIA-certified “Fancy vivid blue” diamond. It has a natural colour and is graded VVS2. Estimated at $10,000,000 to $15,000,000. Photo: Sotheby’s
Lot 42: Gold and coloured diamond box signed by Verdura. Estimate between $15,000 and $20,000. Photo: Sotheby’s
Lot 87: A yellow gold, ruby, sapphire and enamel brooch signed by Verdura. Estimate between $15,000 and $2,000. Photo: Sotheby’s
Lot 124: A platinum, diamond and coloured diamond brooch signed by Verdura. Estimate $5,000-$7,000. Photo: Sotheby’s
I end with lot 266: a yellow gold, turquoise and peridot minaudiere for about 35 carats. Signed Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. Estimate $15,000 to $20,000. Photo: Sotheby’s
See you soon!
