A five-part live auction in Abu Dhabi generated $133.4m in sales across jewellery, handbags, cars and real estate. A Hermès Birkin Voyageur previously owned by Jane Birkin sold for $2.9m against a $240,000–$440,000 estimate. A 31.68 carat 'orangey pink' diamond known as The Desert Rose fetched $8.8m, and a 1930 Tiffany & Co sapphire and diamond ring sold for $596,000. A Patek Philippe four-piece grand complication set achieved $11.9m, helping the jewels and watches segment reach $21.8m within its estimate. The sale benefitted from Abu Dhabi Investment Office backing, modest estimates, private sales of 50 items, and minimal unsold lots.
"A dramatically lit stage set on the beach served as the sale room for Sotheby's inaugural Collectors' Week (2-5 December) in Abu Dhabi. The five-part live auction brought waves of opulence in the form of jewellery, handbags, cars and real estate, and landed a solid $133.4m total. A Hermès Birkin Voyageur, one of just five such handbags owned by the late actress and singer Jane Birkin, and featuring a hand-written note inside, warmed the crowd up."
"Generating less visible excitement from the floor, but nevertheless fetching an impressive $11.9m, was a Patek Philippe four-piece set of double-dialled grand complication watches, which became the second most valuable watch sold in Sotheby's history. This "prestigious jewels and watches" portion of the sale achieved a white glove result, with the $21.8m total, and sat squarely within its $17.7m to $31.6m estimate."
Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events
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