DUBAI/LONDON, 13 October 2006 — Harry Winston’s $4 million Gulf Pearl Suite, an Arab headdress owned by Lawrence of Arabia, a spectacular bracelet by Gerard, a watch by Franck Muller in 18K white gold and a selection of jewelry from the reputed house of Van Cleef and Arpels will be just some of the magnificent items on display at Christie’s forthcoming exhibition in Dubai.
“Once again, Christie’s is raising the benchmark in the region by bringing such notable works to the Middle East, where a number of residents are avid admirers of exceptional jewels and watches” said Michael Jeha, Christie’s newly appointed managing director for Dubai.
“Following the phenomenal success of our first auction in the Middle East earlier this year, it has become apparent that the region is ready for greater exposure to world-class art and collectables and whether we are showcasing paintings, jewelry, watches or other notable collections, the support that Christie’s receives here continues to be robust,” said Jeha.
The exhibition, which will be staged at Godolphin Ballroom in the Emirates Tower, will run from Oct. 27-28.
On view will be an exquisite selection of diamonds from the Royal House Collection including an important pear-shaped 21.37 carat diamond estimated to cost $700,000-1,000,000 and a spectacular bracelet by Gerard which features a rectangular-cut 29.01 carat diamond estimated to cost $800,000-1,000,000.
The collection also features many important gem set wristwatches by famous watchmakers including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, and others. The watches — totaling 48 lots — are in virtually unused condition and are said to be of interest to collectors worldwide.
In addition to the Royal House Collection, Christie’s is also showcasing a superb selection of jewelry from the esteemed house of Van Cleef and Arpels, which is to be sold by Christie’s on Nov. 16 in Geneva.
Christie’s team of jewelry specialists in New York, London, Paris and Geneva worked in close partnership with Van Cleef & Arpels on two commemorative sales, a collaboration that marks an exceptional venture between the firms. The two Centennial Tribute sales, in New York and Geneva, will each feature 50 jewels, offering collectors a total of 100 pieces that each celebrates the art of the jewel at its most rarefied and daring.
The selection exhibited in Dubai includes major jewels such as The Millennium Brooch — a mystery set ruby and diamond brooch designed as two flower heads, which necessitated 2,800 hours of highly skilled labor.
The exhibition will also feature a selection of highlights from The Pinhas Collection, to be sold on Dec. 18 in New York. The California estate of this well-known collector of French Art Glass is said to feature some of the best pieces of Daum from his collection and the 200-lot sale is expected to realize in excess of $2 million.
Finally, six items from the Lawrence of Arabia collection of the late Dr. Lionel Dakers CBE (1924-2003) will also be exhibited in Dubai, including an Arab headdress owned by the Lawrence.
The collection spans the life of the British secret agent from his early archaeological work of the pre-World War I years, through the Arab Revolt and the writing of Seven Pillars of Wisdom, to his post-war life as a writer, translator of the Odyssey, and marine engineer. Christies say these works are of great rarity and include items such as An Album of Illustrations to Colonel T.E. Lawrence’s Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Feb. 1927, one of 12 copies, and one of a very few to retain the original binding.
