Bonhams' Fine Jewellery Sale proved a fantastic demonstration of market trends in London on December 4, with a pair of art deco style Cartier ruby brooches selling in top spot.
 Art deco pieces, particularly those from the likes of Cartier and other top makers, are on trend |
There is a keen interest in period jewels on the current market and Burmese rubies are proving popular among collectors, with the stunning Graff ruby realising $8.6m at Sotheby's in November.
The Cartier clip brooches, made circa 1930, made an impressive £482,500 ($756,623), soaring far past the £120,000 high estimate by 302%.
Jean Ghika, head of jewellery at Bonhams, told Paul Fraser Collectibles that collectors are searching for art deco jewellery: "Pieces from that period have strong linear designs that still look modern today. Anything signed by Cartier, Van Cleef or Arpels is particularly sought after because their pieces were of exceptional quality."
A huge Burmese ruby single-stone ring made by Van Cleef & Arpels in 1923 sold for £350,000 ($548,846) against a £100,000 high estimate, while another ruby ring, made around 1930 with a cushion cut stone weighing over 6 carats, saw £362,500 ($568,447) on an £80,000 high estimate.
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