Sotheby’s Breuer Debut Auction Realizes Nearly $14 Million, Highlighting Exceptional Historic Jewels
Sotheby’s launched its new Breuer building in New York with a refined inaugural jewelry auction, A Legacy of Elegance: Jewels from an Exceptional Collection. Featuring 56 meticulously selected pieces from legendary designers such as Boucheron, Belperron, JAR, Cartier, and others, the sale closed just shy of $14 million.
The star lot was an extraordinary Boucheron laurel wreath necklace from circa 1888, adorned with seven cushion-cut Burmese and Thai rubies and a variety of antique diamond cuts. It achieved $1.3 million, landing well within expectations.
The auction delivered strong results across creations by renowned maisons including Suzanne Belperron, JAR, René Boivin, and Cartier—many outpacing their estimates. Key highlights among the top 10 lots include:
Reversible Pendant/Brooch: A striking multi-gem design set with pink topazes, rubies, diamonds, amethysts, sapphires, tourmalines, and demantoid garnets sold for just over $1 million, more than doubling its $500,000 high estimate.
Diamond Earrings: Featuring two pear-shaped stones (12.24-carat F/VVS2 and 11.68-carat D/VS2), the pair brought in $889,000.
Suzanne Belperron 1966 Bib Necklace: With topazes, morganites, aquamarines, and diamonds, this bold piece realized $825,500—far surpassing its $350,000 estimate.
JAR Quatrefoil Earrings: Ruby- and diamond-pavé earrings sold for $698,500, above their $600,000 projection.
JAR Rock Crystal & Sapphire Butterfly Brooch (circa 1987): Achieved $698,500, beating its $500,000 estimate.
Suzanne Belperron 1954 Necklace: A cabochon sapphire and diamond bib necklace doubled its estimate, finishing at $635,000.
JAR Wild Rose Brooch: Showcasing a natural grey pearl surrounded by amethyst and sapphire petals, the piece reached $609,600, surpassing expectations.
Cartier Ruby & Diamond Bracelet (1930s): The invisibly-set classic fetched $558,800, slightly above its estimate.
JAR Frost-Inspired Earrings: Diamond-laden branch-like motifs centered around pear-shaped stones sold for $508,000, narrowly surpassing projections.
The strong debut underscores the robust demand for rare, historically significant jewels and reaffirms Sotheby’s leadership in the global high-jewelry auction market.