S otheby's Fine Jewels Milan presents an array of exceptional pieces, ranging from the 19th century to the present day. Glamourous jewels from the iconic houses of Cartier, Bulgari and Marina B alongside gemstones of different colours are for sale.
Auction Highlights
Bulgari | A Taste of the Italian Sweet Life
Celebrating the Jewels of Marina B
In July of 1930, Marina Bulgari was born in Rome, Italy, the newest member of a family whose name is synonymous with luxury: her father, Costantino Bulgari, was the first child of BVLGARI jewelry company founder Sotirios Voulgaris.
Growing up, BVLGARI was a constant in Marina's life. Her understanding of jewelry style and proportion made her an asset to the brand, and, in time, she opted to step out on her own. In 1977, Marina founded her own, signature jewelry brand: Marina B.
Marina opened the first Marina B boutique in Geneva in 1978, and more soon followed in Paris, Milan and New York.
Her designs perfectly captured the glitz and glamour of the 1980s, attracting a worldwide audience, including a number of celebrities: Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly were all known to wear Marina B to complement their red carpet gowns and her aesthetic continues to appeal to today’s stars, including Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Lopez. Her bold designs continue to inspire Marina B’s modern creations, which continue to push the boundaries of jewelry design while respecting the Bulgari family’s extensive jewelry lineage.
Featured Lots
One of the most powerful ways to transform one’s look or capture one’s expression of style is through jewelry. From simple jewels such as stud earrings to an extravagant diamond necklace, every jewel tells its own story.
In the last century, many famous artists from the Bauhaus, Surrealist and Cubist movements began experimenting with their art in 3D; thus, the idea of ‘wearable art’ was conceived, creating an outlet from the conventions of traditional jewelry allowing these artists to create unique designs, often with sculptural qualities.
Featured Lots
- 1780s
- 1870s
- 1880s
- 1890s
- 1900s
- 1910s
- 1920s
- 1930s
- 1940s
- 1960s
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Diamond necklaceOf garland style decorated with flowers and bows, set with old-mine, circular-, single-cut and rose diamonds, central pendant removable, length approximately 370mm.
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Diamond and enamel braceletDesigned as a snake with a blue enamel body, eyes with cabochon rubies, head enhanced with cushion shaped, circular-cut and rose diamonds, inner circumference approximately 150 mm.
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Diamond brooch, 1880sCompletely enhanced with cushion shaped, circular-cut and rose diamonds.
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Ruby and diamond pendantSet with an oval shaped ruby of 9.70 carats approximately within a frame of circular-cut diamonds, supporting a similarly set detachable ruby pendant of 2.80 carats approximately, accompanied by an SSEF report no. 106766, stating that both rubies are of Burmese origin, with no indications of heating.
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Tiffany & Co. | Ruby and diamond brooch- watchEnhanced with an alternated line of step cut sapphires and diamonds, signed Tiffany, accompanied by blue box stamped Tiffany & Co.
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Tiffany & Co. | Sapphire and diamond bar broochSet with cabochon rubies and pavé-set with circular- and single-cut diamonds, manual wind, dial signed Tiffany&Co. New-York.
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Boucheron | Enamel, jade, pearl and diamond vanity caseOf rectangular shape, decorated in red and black enamel with open work jade discs and enhanced with rose diamond lines, the interior fitted with a mirror and two compartments, the thumbpiece set with a seed pearl, with English assay marks, signed Boucheron London.
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Diamond and ruby ringOf rhomboidal design, set at the centre with a marquise-shaped diamond surrounded by rubies and circular- cut and rose diamonds, size 51½.
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Sapphire and diamond ringSet with a cushion shaped sapphire between circula5r and single-cut diamonds shoulders, one diamond missing, size 54.
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Sapphire and diamond ringSet with a step-cut sapphire flanked by step-cut diamonds, size 48.