Lot 448
  • 448

MAGNIFICENT AND HIGHLY IMPORTANT EMERALD AND DIAMOND NECKLACE, CIRCA 1935

Estimate
3,000,000 - 4,000,000 CHF
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Description

The front set with a line of graduated sugarloaf cabochon emeralds of truly exceptional quality weighing 3.57, 4.01, 4.54, 5.45, 5.63, 6.22, 6.73, 6.75, 7.03, 8.78 and 18.09 carats, alternating with hexagonal-shaped diamonds, framed with similarly cut, dart-shaped and baguette diamonds, the detachable back formed of a tapered row of marquise-shaped, oval and square-cut diamonds, length approximately 360mm, the necklace front may be worn as a bracelet and the two detachable segments at the back could also be worn as a necklace together with the diamond bracelet, lot 521 from The Magnificent Jewels of Mme Hélène Beaumont Sale, May 1994.

Provenance

Sotheby's Geneva, Magnificent Jewels of Mme Hélène Beaumont, 18 May 1994, Lot 501.

Literature

Cf.: David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti, Understanding Jewellery, Antique Collectors' Club, Woodbridge, 1989, front cover for an illustration of this necklace.

Condition

Accompanied by SSEF report no. 105829, stating that the emeralds weighing 3.57, 4.01, 4.54, 5.45, 5.63, 6.22, 6.73, 6.75, 7.03, 8.78 and 18.09 carats, measuring 8.78 x 8.30 x 7.17mm, 9.17 x 8.49 x 7.10mm, 9.48 x 8.79 x 7.61mm, 11.47 x 10.50 x 6.63mm, 10.43 x 10.23 x 7.51mm, 11.68 x 10.62 x 6.84mm, 11.35 x 11.31 x 7.85mm, 11.54 x 11.50 x 7.72mm, 11.80 x 10.92 x 7.58mm, 12.61 x 12.18 x 8.26mm and 15.44 x 14.38 x 11.46mm, are of Colombian origin, with none to a minor amount of oil in fissures, together with an appendix letter. Also accompanied by Gübelin report no. 19012031, stating that the emeralds are of Colombian origin, with a minor amount of oil in fissures. Also accompanied by AGL report no. 1097342, stating that the emeralds are of Colombian origin, with an insignificant to a minor amount of oil in fissures, together with an appendix letter. Each detachable segment stamped PT950 for platinum. Emeralds weighing a total of 76.80 carats, the emerald weighing 7.03 carats is faceted at the back, overall in very good condition, with minor nicks. Diamonds estimated to weigh a total of approximately 90.00 - 100.00 carats, G-H colour, VS clarity, as gauged and graded in the mount. In very good condition. Gross weight approximately 201 grams.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

This magnificent emerald and diamond necklace was most probably made by Van Cleef & Arpels as Hélène Beaumont was a renowned collector and loyal client of the French Jewellery House as can be seen in the 1994 collection catalogue. It is furthermore similarly designed to match lot 502, an emerald and diamond bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels, from the collection of Hélène Beaumont sold in 1994, also unsigned but recorded in the archives of Van Cleef & Arpels. Hélène Beaumont (1894 – 1988) was one of the great figures of the Côte d’Azur. She and her American born husband, Louis Dudley Beaumont were among the founders of the glamorous social life of the French Riviera during the pre-war era but are also known and remembered for their extreme generosity and philanthropy.

Hélène Beaumont was born Hélène Thomas in 1894. She trained as an opera singer and made her London debut in 1917 at the Aeolian Hall, situated off New Bond Street, and a building coincidentally now owned by Sotheby’s.

After a short career as an opera singer, she married Louis Dudley Beaumont (1857-1942) an American entrepreneur and one of the founders of the May Company, among the most important chains of department stores in the United States. His story is that of an American dream. Born in Dayton, Ohio, son of a veteran of the Mexican War, he moved to a small pioneers’ mining town Leadville, where he opened a store with his brothers. In 1880 he left to join his brother-in-law, M. May, in Denver. Here they founded jointly a chain of stores which was soon to become one of the most important in the United States. When he moved to France Louis Dudley changed his name from Schonenberg to Beaumont and became one of the first patrons in the early days of aviation. He was president of the American Aeroclub in France, committee member involved in organizing the first intercontinental flights and his invaluable support to aviators during the First World War earned him, in 1920, the title Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.

After their marriage, the Beaumonts moved to Cap-d’Antibes, taking up residence at Villa Eilenroc, one of the most beautiful villas of the Riviera situated in a 22 acre park on the tip of the Cap. This magnificent villa had been built in the 1860s by the architect Garnier, for Hugh Hope London, formerly governor of the Dutch Indies. It was he who named the Villa Eilenroc from the anagram of Cornelie, the name of his wife. The original “neo-baroque Côte d’Azure style” of the villa was later transformed by successive owners into a more neo-classical building, and in the hands of Englishman James Willie the park was landscaped by Ringuissen. The Beaumonts guided by Wells Bosworth filled the villa with exquisite objects, including the finest 18th century French furniture, much of it acquired at the great Rothschild sales in England in the 1920s. Until the death of Mr Beaumont in 1942, the couple did not cease to collect magnificent works of art to adorn their villa. After World War II, on her return to France, Hélène Beaumont moved with her sister into a smaller house on the property where she remained until 1982 when she donated the Villa Eilenroc to the Municipality of Antibes. From then until her death in 1988, she divided her time between a flat in Monaco and her chalet in Vaduz, continuing to support a large number of charities both in Europe and in the United States. The magnificent contents of the Villa Eilenroc including the finest 18th century furniture were sold at Sotheby’s Monte Carlo in December 1992.

This magnificent emerald and diamond necklace is yet another testimony of Hélène Beaumont’s good taste, and it provides an elegant statement of her style.



Accompanied by SSEF report no. 105829, Gübelin report no. 19012031 and AGL report no. 1097342, all stating that the emeralds are of Colombian origin; the SSEF report stating that the emeralds are with none to a minor amount of oil, the Gübelin report stating that the emeralds are all with a minor amount of oil; and the AGL report stating that the emeralds are with an insignificant to a minor amount of oil in fissures. Together with two appendix letters from the SSEF and AGL.