In the jewelry industry, auctions play a very integral part in the movement of some of the most fascinating pieces. Christie's Daphne Lingon sat down with ArtNetNews to discuss her work with Elizabeth Taylor's Jewelry Collection and more.
When asked about her prolific 27-year career, and which lot was her favorite, Lingon said, "Like a mother talking about her children, how could I say only one is my favorite? And yet, there are some pieces that are especially meaningful or that have greatly impacted the market. I’d include the Oppenheimer Blue Diamond, the duPont Ruby and duPont Emerald from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the diamond “Tube” bracelet, c. 1948, by Suzanne Belperron, Le Grand Mazarin Diamond, and of course, the Collection of Elizabeth Taylor.
Lingon was then asked about Christie's and what sets it apart from other places that hold auctions. "The first thing that sets jewelry apart from, say, paintings is also the most obvious: jewelry is worn, and that in itself makes it more personal and intimate," she said. "Quite often these jewels and gemstones are being purchased to mark important milestones such as engagements, birthdays, or anniversaries. So, a client’s own style and even his or her lifestyle affects nearly every single purchase.
"When we’re handling an estate, the heirs tend to be emotionally invested and we do our best to honor their wishes for the “next” owner of their jewelry from the family’s collection. We can include biographies about the owner of a collection or images of the jewels being worn, which is also our way of describing the foundation of a collection. Whether someone is buying or selling jewelry, sentiment is a significant factor, and one we strive to respect."
Information originally sourced from ArtNetNews.
