Largest pearl at Christie?s sale

[KAC]

Largest pearl at Christie?s sale

The drop-shaped natural pearl weighs 239.7 grains (59.92 carats). This impressive pearl was once part of the collection of Valda 3 Virginia Vaughn Scott, the daughter of an English diplomat and a member of the prestigious Alessi family. It is estimated at $180,000-250,000.

Full Article: http://www.tradearabia.com/news/RET_195540.html

Here's the Christies listing as well: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/LotDetailsPrintable.aspx?intObjectID=5425614

That is one pricey pendant!

 

[SteveM]

Seems like it's slow for pearls at Christie's, as this listing appears to be a bit of a stretch. The description is 'baroque/drop-shaped' (make up your mind!), and while it's certainly a large piece, there are any number of examples (Hope, Peregrina) of larger, more famous and more beautiful pearls. And I fail to see how provenance of ownership by a British diplomat from Malta, not a source of Pinctada pearls, has anything to do with value.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Seems like it's slow for pearls at Christie's, as this listing appears to be a bit of a stretch. The description is 'baroque/drop-shaped' (make up your mind!), and while it's certainly a large piece, there are any number of examples (Hope, Peregrina) of larger, more famous and more beautiful pearls. And I fail to see how provenance of ownership by a British diplomat from Malta, not a source of Pinctada pearls, has anything to do with value.

My thoughts too. Granted it's a nice piece, but the symmetry and craftsmanship isn't all that outstanding.

 

[Ramona]

Maybe they are specifically targeting rich buyers from the Mediterranean area. The Alessi brand is well known in Europe and European taste is more toward baroque. So, perhaps it is more of who owned it before than its natural origin?

 

[KAC]

And I fail to see how provenance of ownership by a British diplomat from Malta, not a source of Pinctada pearls, has anything to do with value.

Good point steve, the back story certainly doesn't excite me. Time will tell what it sells for, or if it sells at all?

 

[eric-anandia-pearls]

rare pearls being rare I suppose this one will just have to do, at least until Liz ever lets go of La Peregrina (assuming she still has it . Of course, that one would fetch quite a bit more than a quarter million.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

at least until Liz ever lets go of La Peregrina

A premonition perhaps?

Ms. Taylor passed this very day.

 

[eric-anandia-pearls]

I know!! I was so shocked when I turned on the TV this morning, having mentioned her only yesterday. We will miss her as will so many, such a classy lady.

 

[KAC]

Here's a follow up article from Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/29/uk-auction-christies-dubai-idUSLNE72S06P20110329