From Cartier's Panther to Arje Griegst's Fairy-tale Jewellery

Cartier's rare diamond-studded panther bangle has found its way to this summer's auction, which includes everything from design classics by well-known jewellers to historical Art Deco and Belle Époque jewellery.

Cartier: "Panthère" bangle set with 18k white gold in the shape of a panther and decorated with two pear-shaped emeralds, cabochon onyx and numerous brilliant-cut diamonds totalling approx. 15.74 ct. Estimate: DKK 300,000-500,000.

Belle Époque diamond necklace of platinum set with numerous old-cut diamonds totalling approx. 45.00 ct. Paris, approx. 1910-20. Estimate: DKK 300,000-400,000.

Art Deco diamond ring set with an emerald-cut diamond weighing approx. 10.20 ct. flanked by two baguette-cut diamonds. Paris, circa 1920. Estimate: DKK 300,000-500,000.

Arje Griegst: A ring set with a cultured baroque pearl, numerous cabochon moonstones, square- and brilliant-cut diamonds and fancy-cut sapphires, mounted in 20k gold. Estimate: DKK 10,000-15,000.

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Cartier's iconic panther bangle is the undisputed highlight of the summer auction. It is set with two pear-shaped emeralds that make up the panther's eyes, and the panther's body is covered with numerous brilliant-cut diamonds totalling approx. 15.74 ct. The retail price is DKK 1.8 million. However, with our estimate of DKK 300,000-500,000, there is a good chance of striking a good bargain!

It is the first time in Bruun Rasmussen's history that we can present Cartier's iconic panther bangle, which has only been up for auction twice before on the international market. Cartier, known as "The jeweller of the kings, and the king of jewellers", was founded in Paris in 1847 and has since then produced some of the world's most exclusive jewellery and wristwatches. The panther was used for the first time as a decorative element on a wristwatch in 1914 and has since then become the emblem of Cartier’s elegance and exclusivity.

Belle Époque and Art Deco

The decorative pieces of jewellery from the Belle Époque and Art Deco time periods of the early 20th century are extremely sought after at the moment. Belle Époque refers to the time period around 1900 in France, while Art Deco is a style of jewellery, decorative art and architecture from the years between 1920 and 1940. The latter style culminated in Europe with the major decorative art exhibition in Paris in 1925, entitled Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes. Where Belle Époque is usually organic in its expression, Art Deco is characterized by more geometric shapes, as can be seen in the auction's jewellery in the shape of an impressive Belle Époque diamond necklace from approx. 1910-20 with an estimated price of DKK 300,000-400,000 and a stylish Art Deco diamond ring from approx. 1920 at a value of DKK 300,000-500,000.

Arje Griegst’s Fairy-tale Jewellery

The auction also offers vintage jewels by the Danish jeweller, artist and designer Arje Griegst (1938-2016). His imaginative idiom was inspired by nature, the ancient Greeks, Gaudi and the infiniteness of the universe. The sumptuous and fairy-tale style became his artistic trademark, distinguishing himself from the otherwise stringent Scandinavian design tradition. At this auction, we offer a beautiful gem and moonstone ring, which was made in the cire perdue technique that is typically used to achieve a greater freedom of expression. This technique is known especially from the production of bronze sculptures and is rarely used on jewellery. Griegst's creations are represented at several well-known museums around the world, including Designmuseum Denmark, Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, V&A in London and The Metropolitan Museum in New York.

Preview and Auction

Auction: 31 May 3 pm at Bredgade 33, Copenhagen

Preview: 24-28 May

View all the lots of the jewellery auction

 

For further information, please contact:

Katrin Mikkelsen Sørensen: +45 8818 1174 · kms@bruun-rasmussen.dk

Lise Jacobsen: +45 8818 1175 · lij@bruun-rasmussen.dk