Russian Tsars

Martin Foster reports on diamonds, emeralds and spectacular coloured gemstones that were the stars of the 5th Moscow World Fine Arts Fair.
Described as the most exclusive fair in Eastern Europe, the Moscow World Fine Arts Fair features around 80 of the finest international furniture, clock, jewellery and fine arts dealers.
This year it attracted more than 60,000 registered visitors – a 30 percent increase over 2007 numbers.
Fair general manager Sixtine Crutchfield said the organisers were “overwhelmed and gratified” by local and international visitors’ interest in “the exquisite quality and provenance of the fine pieces exhibited this year”.
“Our exhibitors are rigorously chosen for the exclusive quality of the objets d’art which they bring to the Moscow fair and this policy, implemented since the inception of the fair is now paying handsome dividends in the visitor numbers and final sales results which will mature in the coming months,” he said.

 In an exhibition space of 5000 square metres in Moscow’s largest cultural complex, the Manège, the MWFAF exhibited artworks of Dali, Rodin, Warhol, Chagall, del Sarto, Picasso, Pissarro, Monet, Sisley, Cézanne and more – as well as diamonds and jewellery from Moussaieff, de Beers, Bvlgari, Harry Winston, Smolensk et al.
One of the star attractions from the 20 jewellery exhibitors was Moussaieff’s single white brilliant diamond pendant of 118.84 carats suspended on a diamond necklace incorporating a further 124.22 carats of brilliant diamonds. The breathtaking ensemble is completed by matching earrings of 11 carats each.

Other beautiful jewellery items on display included a classic emerald and diamond necklace from Chatila with 35.10 carats of both gemstones; a Fire Pendant set with rubies and diamonds in yellow and blackened gold from Jewellery Theatre; and Chanel’s Camélia Imaginaire” necklace in 18 karat white gold, set with 1171 diamonds for a total weight of 19.65 carats and 2 pear-cut diamonds of 2.52 and 5.10 carats.
The exquisite standard of jewellery on display at the Fair inspired many buyers to flock to the onsite auction where 18 pieces of jewellery, including ten pieces from Maxim Voznesensky, fetched US$10.8 million.
Next year the Moscow World Fine Arts Fair is scheduled to be held in the historic Manège in the last week of May.
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