Christie's, Geneva (Switzerland - EC)

Christie's, London (UK - EC)

heavy stock paper [see SCANs - above and below]

1 black + white, 180+ in colour, illustrated end covers, double-page fold out

This OUT OF PRINT catalogue lists and describes 85 Lots, ALL of which appear to be illustrated in sumptuous colour, of a truely remarkable collection of Important Signed Jewels from Boucheron of Paris !

"For 144 years Baucheron has been synonymous with some of the world's most exquisite and imaginative jewels. The firm's faultless craftsmanship and taste for innovation have carried it through the ages of history: from the lush jewellery of the European royal courts to the sinuous forms of Art Nouveau, from the colours and geometry of Art Deco to the versatility of today's jewellery.

"Christie's Geneva is devoting a special catalogue entirely to Boucheron - a selection of 85 jewels representing the firm's fascinating history. The highlight is a magnificent yellow and colourless diamond parure with a fringe of briolette-cut diamonds, a highly popular cut in the Orient. Naturalism, a central theme in Boucheron's creations, is represented by a profusion of brooches, vanity cases and rock-crystal decorative objects (revived by Boucheron in the 1970s). The most striking example, epitomizing Boucheron's creativeness and perfect craftsmanship in the 1900s, is an Art Nouveau brooch of the Goddess Hera whose arms turn into polychrome enamel peacocks." -- from the introductory illustrated essay on the history of Vacheron by Eric Valdieu.

The items include - rock crystal: multi-gem place card holders, bird and animal table ornaments; wristwatches, ear clips/pendants, necklaces, brooches, rings, bracelets, vanity cases, gold desert plates -- and MORE! In Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and other styles -- as single items and in suites.

WOWSERS! Just about every jewelry aficionado has run across the Boucheron name at some time or another - now here is your chance to see a splendid array of some of their vintage creations, all fabulously illustrated in color -- some including the original designer drawings!

Each item has information about its makeup/precious stones. If you have begun a personal computer database of makers//styles/models, you will certainly find many new items to add to it in this really kewl tome. The estimated price for each lot is a useful gneral guide to their value.

Conversion Chart - Ring Size [American, French / Japanese, English, Metric], Measurements [Inches / Cm].

For well over 20 years I have been adding these extremely well illustrated, frequently monographic auction catalogues as reference sources to my personal library, and was always absolutely thrilled to find something dealing with my eclectic interests. As with many of the books in my research library, I frequently, when possible, obtained duplicate copies, as I like to have one to use and another as a back-up. They are really a UNIQUE source for hard-to-find data and for use as identification guides, usually containing information about the size, media, dates, styles, signatures, estimated values, and often data on the artist or maker. Older catalogues on specialized subjects are usually extremely difficult to find because knowledgeable collectors had already acquired them as invaluable reference sources when they first appeared!

Book in EXCELLENT Condition!!