Smith & Singer held its inaugural virtual auction of Important Jewels, Watches and Objects of Virtu in Sydney in May in the midst of lockdown.
Despite only opening the showroom to limited visitors by appointment in order to stay within social distancing restrictions, and running a virtual auction, the company was pleased with the auction result which realised a total of $866,200.
Rare examples at the highest level of the market drew particular competition, with bidders vying for significant jewels of all variety, from earrings, necklaces and rings to brooches, bracelets and watches. Prominent results were achieved for gems designed by Bulgari, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels amongst others, which were complemented by impressive watches from Panerai, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, and Rolex.
Leading the sale was The Wakil Emerald (pictured right), a platinum, gold, emerald and diamond ring by Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1974 that sold for $231,800, setting an Australian auction record for an internationally-signed, single-emerald jewel.