A bracelet belonging to actress Elizabeth Taylor flew past its high estimate at a London jewelry auction to sell for GBP 119,700 ($148,433).
The piece, which featured 27 graduated radiant-cut, yellow-tinted diamonds, including one weighing 3.38 carats, was the star item in Woolley & Wallis’s January 30 Fine Jewelry sale. A gift to Taylor from singer Michael Jackson, the bracelet smashed its GBP 70,000 ($86,815) upper estimate, the auction house said last week. The final result came after competitive bidding via phone and internet.
Another highlight was a Boucheron ring featuring a 4.97-carat Kashmir sapphire center stone with tapered baguette-shaped diamond shoulders. That jewel scored GBP 233,100 ($289,100), beating its GBP 150,000 ($185,015) top price.
An Egyptian Revival ruby and diamond necklace Cartier made in the 1920s also went under the hammer. The piece sports a U-shaped pendant with styled falcon-heads that is pavé-set with circular-cut diamonds and encircles an abstract floral arrangement of cabochon rubies. It sold for GBP 69,300 ($85,976), more than double its GBP 30,000 ($37,207) high price.
“It was a strong sale, and we are delighted that many pieces exceeded their higher estimates, demonstrating that high-quality jewelry is still in demand and the market is buoyant,” said Woolley & Wallis jewelry specialist Marielle Whiting.
Image: Elizabeth Taylor’s bracelet. (Woolley & Wallis)
