Museum Quality Boucheron ‘Juno’ Pendant Could Fetch $300,000

A 14.52-carat fancy light-blue diamond is the top lot at Bonhams New York Jewels auction on June 12. The heart-shaped diamond is mounted on a ring within a surround of round brilliant-cut diamonds and diamonds with a pink tint. Its estimate is $2 million to $3 million.

The number two lot of the sale is an unsigned multi-gem 18k white gold pendant featuring a 50.63-carat unheated Sri Lankan rectangular-cut spinel within a frame of round brilliant, baguette and tapered baguette-cut diamonds. Suspended from the centerpiece is two round pearls and a 7.8-carat briolette-cut emerald and more diamonds. Its estimate is $300,000 – $500,000.

The upcoming 126-lot auction at Bonhams Madison Avenue saleroom features several fancy-colored diamonds, a collection of emeralds, sapphires and rubies, and signed pieces from prestigious jewelry houses including Bulgari, Cartier, David Webb, Graff, Harry Winston, JAR, Oscar Heyman, Taffin, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, and Verdura. Important pieces from French jewelers Boucheron and René Boivin play a significant role in the sale.

For example, there’s a Boucheron Art Nouveau enamel, sapphire and diamond pendant, circa 1900, with a design that features a female form of carved white jadeite depicting the goddess Juno, the queen of the gods, goddess of marriage, and protector of women and the family. Her hair is of textured gold and crowned with blue, green and purple enamel, accented by old European-cut diamonds and gold beads. Her dress of purple enamel is set with a cushion-shaped yellow sapphire framed by old European-cut diamonds.

Ornate peacocks with blue, green and purple enamel with diamond accents are flanked on either side of the Juno figure. Green and blue enamel peacock feathers support a detachable pendant set with a pear-shaped yellow sapphire framed by old mine-cut diamonds. The pendant is signed FIC Boucheron for Frédéric Boucheron, Paris, the founder of the famed Place Vendôme jeweler and has an estimated sapphire weight of 20.30 carats. This rare pendant which was exhibited at the 1900 Paris World’s Fair has an estimate of $200,000 – $300,000.

Caroline Morrissey, Bonhams director and head of Jewelry, New York, said the Boucheron pendant “epitomizes the Art Nouveau movement with its flowing, organic lines inspired by nature. The elaborate enamelwork and unique gemstone settings underscore the craftsmanship and artistry, creating a sense of fantasy and romance. It is a rarity for a museum quality jewel like this to come to market.”

Another sale highlight is a René Boivin colored diamond and diamond orchid brooch, circa 1937. Designed as an orchid, the petals are set throughout with round brilliant and old European-cut diamonds, further enhanced by round brilliant, old European and single-cut diamonds of a yellow tint. The brooch has an estimated total diamond weight of 20 to 25 carats and estimated total colored diamond weight of 15.30 carats. Its estimate is $150,000 – $200,000.

Other New York Jewels highlights include:

A diamond ring, centering a 16.76-carat cushion-shaped fancy yellow diamond of VS1 clarity, flanked by two bullet-shaped diamonds. Its estimate is $170,000 – $270,000.

A pair of Taffin diamond earclips. Each centered with a square emerald-cut diamond, one weighing 5.16 carats and the other weighing 5.04 carats. Its estimate is $160,000 – $240,000.