Sotheby’s recently accomplished a significant milestone in Asia’s auction history with its sale of jewelry from the Phillips family of Japan. Every item up for grabs found a buyer, with an impressive 60% of them surpassing their high estimates.
The highlight of the April 4 auction, which amassed a total of HKD 29.6 million ($3.6 million), was a stunning Van Cleef & Arpels floral-design diamond necklace. Garnering more than 20 bids, the piece fetched HKD 1.9 million ($243,421), as confirmed by Sotheby’s last week.
Chairman of jewelry and watches for Sotheby’s Asia, Wenhao Yu, expressed pride in the achievement, stating, “We are proud to celebrate our first white glove live jewelry sale in Sotheby’s Asia.” He highlighted the significance of the event, noting, “This sale marks one of the highest numbers of registered buyers in recent years, which reflects the global appeal for rare and exquisite jewels. In particular, the iconic demi-parures of the 1980s to 1990s designs featuring bold motifs and an array of vibrant colors were well-received by collectors.”
