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THE PROPERTY OF AN ASIAN LADYThe renowned 17th century gem merchant and traveler, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (1605 – 1689) once described the oysters of the Bahrain fisheries as often containing “as many as six or seven pearls”. In the modern era, the odds of such an occurrence are, sadly, quite low. High quality pearls are rarer still, not to mention an extraordinary strand of sixty-three perfectly matched natural pearls. The present necklace was assembled over a period of ten years by Raymond C. Yard, a discreet New York jeweler known for his admirable tastefulness and relentless perfectionism. In 1929, it was sold to one of his most prominent patrons, John D. Rockefeller, ‘Junior’, (1874 – 1960). Junior was a renowned member of the legendary Rockefeller family in America. The family patriarch, John D. Rockefeller, ‘Senior’, was the co-founder of Standard Oil and is commonly considered one of the wealthiest Americans of all time, and is among the greatest philanthropists that ever lived. His son, Junior, and the successive generations continue the family tradition of charitable giving around the world. The immense contributions of the Rockefellers to humankind over the last two centuries have been an aspiration for many. This exceptional strand of natural pearls is typical of Yard’s perseverance and Junior’s discerning eye. Not only is it perfectly graduated, but the colour of the pearls is impeccably uniform. Each, without fail, displays intense pink and greenish overtones. To create such a necklace was no small feat as the pollution of the waters of the Persian Gulf at the beginning of the last century led to permanent damage of the oyster beds. The allure and desirability of natural pearls, compounded by their diminishing supply, have only increased their relevance and fueled prices exponentially. The provenance of the present necklace further cements its significance and importance. Note: While the present lot has established provenance linking it to John D. Rockefeller, Junior, it is not part of The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller, which is to be sold at Christie’s New York in the Spring of 2018.
A SUPERB SINGLE-STRAND NATURAL PEARL AND DIAMOND NECKLACE
Details
A SUPERB SINGLE-STRAND NATURAL PEARL AND DIAMOND NECKLACE
Composed of sixty-three graduated natural pearls, measuring approximately 6.80 to 11.15 mm, to the marquise-cut diamond clasp, mounted in gold, 55.5 cm
Accompanied by report no. 97161 dated 19 January 2018 from the SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute stating that the analysed properties confirm the authenticity of these sixty-three saltwater natural pearls; also accompanied by an appendix stating that the natural pearl necklace possess extraordinary characteristics and merits special mention and appreciation. The described necklace consists of 63 natural pearls strung on a regularly graduated strand and graduate to a remarkable size. They have been carefully selected for this necklace and exhibit a fine pearl lustre combined with an attractive colour subtly ranging from white to slightly cream. In addition to these qualities, part of these pearls show rosé and green overtones, poetically also referred to as the ‘orient of pearls’. These overtones are an iridescence effect on the surface of pearls and contribute greatly to the beauty of the described pearl necklace. Assembling a matching selection of natural pearls of this size and quality can be considered rare and exceptional
US$500,000-750,000
Composed of sixty-three graduated natural pearls, measuring approximately 6.80 to 11.15 mm, to the marquise-cut diamond clasp, mounted in gold, 55.5 cm
Accompanied by report no. 97161 dated 19 January 2018 from the SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute stating that the analysed properties confirm the authenticity of these sixty-three saltwater natural pearls; also accompanied by an appendix stating that the natural pearl necklace possess extraordinary characteristics and merits special mention and appreciation. The described necklace consists of 63 natural pearls strung on a regularly graduated strand and graduate to a remarkable size. They have been carefully selected for this necklace and exhibit a fine pearl lustre combined with an attractive colour subtly ranging from white to slightly cream. In addition to these qualities, part of these pearls show rosé and green overtones, poetically also referred to as the ‘orient of pearls’. These overtones are an iridescence effect on the surface of pearls and contribute greatly to the beauty of the described pearl necklace. Assembling a matching selection of natural pearls of this size and quality can be considered rare and exceptional
US$500,000-750,000
Provenance
John D. Rockefeller Jr.
Christie's Geneva, 18 November 1998, Lot 826
Christie's Geneva, 18 November 1998, Lot 826
Literature
N. Kuzmanovic, Yard: The Life and Magnificent Jewelry of Raymond C. Yard, New York, The Vendome Press, 2007, p. 104
P. Proddow and D. Healy, "American Jewelry, Glamour and Tradition", New York, Rizzoli, 1987, p. 117, n. 87
P. Proddow and D. Healy, "American Jewelry, Glamour and Tradition", New York, Rizzoli, 1987, p. 117, n. 87
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Phoebe Fung