One of the earliest forms of jewellery, brooches began as simple utilitarian pins to hold garments together, worn by both men and women. The evolution and elevation of the brooch into an accessory and ornament closely mirrored the sociopolitical and economic contexts of each decade. “They have been both formal and narrative, spare and ornate, made of diamonds, iron or diamonds and iron – probably every technique and material ever embraced by jewelers.”
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Our upcoming online auction, Fine Jewels: Ode to Nature on 15 – 16 October 2019 features unusual coloured stones that are increasingly attracting interest globally. From intriguing origin stories to mesmerising hues and optical effects, we share five of our top picks from the sale.
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International jewellery specialist Lisa Hubbard’s lecture at Saffronart’s inaugural Jewellery Conference in 2017 explored, among others, pieces from the Duchess of Windsor’s collection – including an onyx and diamond Panthère bracelet made by Cartier in 1952.
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At Saffronart’s inaugural Jewellery Conference in 2017, Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad from the Royal Family of Baroda shared stories of her family’s significant jewellery collection in her talk titled “Royal Patronage, Enduring Grace: The Gaekwad Legacy.” She spoke about the jewels once owned by the family, such as the Dresden diamond and the Empress Eugenie diamond, but all of these paled in comparison to the well-known Pearl Carpet of Baroda.
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The first day of Saffronart’s inaugural Jewellery Conference in 2017 opened with a riveting discussion between Dr Usha Balakrishnan and John Zubrzycki, titled “Jacob: The Largest Diamond in India’s Crown.” Zubrzycki, a Sydney-based author, journalist and researcher specialising in South Asia and India, shed light on the intriguing saga involving one of the most famous diamonds in the world – the Jacob Diamond, formerly known as the Imperial Diamond – and the enigmatic character most commonly associated with it.
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