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LOT 36: A RETRO DIAMOND BRACELET, BY VERGER FRÈRES, CIRCA 1945-50
Of openwork scrolled design, composed of palmette-shaped motifs of bi-coloured design, each terminal enhanced with brilliant-cut diamonds, to fluted connectors, mounted in 18k gold, diamonds approximately 6.50cts total, with maker's mark 'VF' for Verger Frères, French export mark, length 17.2cm.
Verger Frères was founded in Paris in 1872 by Ferdinand Verger, who quickly gained fame for his superb jewellery, clocks, and watches.
Verger Frères earned the title of the ‘jeweller’s jeweller’ because they supplied many top jewellery firms. Unusually for the time, they did not create pieces based on clients’ designs but instead sold their own original designs to retailers. Their designs, which drew inspiration from the synthesis of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, continue to inspire creativity today.
What set Verger Frères apart was their commitment to in-house production. They employed over 200 skilled craftsmen, including goldsmiths, enamellers, engravers, gem cutters, and watchmakers, ensuring high-quality work and meticulous designs.
Today, Verger Frères is celebrated for its elegance and craftsmanship. While many collectors appreciate their pieces, some remain less recognised due to the emphasis on the retailer’s name, making Verger Frères even more sought after. The company is now part of Atelier Bouder, which has carefully restored the brand’s heritage, using old drawings and models to recreate famous pieces while continuing to produce both classic and new designs.
LOT 69: A GEM-SET AND PEARL 'FREDY'S, LA CHIPIE' PENDANT/BROOCH, BY FRED PARIS, CIRCA 1990
Designed as a little girl holding her teddy bear, with textured braided hair highlighted with circular-cut sapphires and diamonds for ribbons, to a round-shaped cultured mabé pearl for face, the coat with circular-cut ruby buttons and brilliant-cut diamond collar, the teddy bear in textured and polished gold, with articulated polished gold bale, mounted in 18K gold, signed Fred Paris, with maker's mark 'Sté D' for Dorsey, length (excluding bale): 3cm
Fredy's were introduced by FRED PARIS in 1989. These cheerful characters—The Chipie (The Little Vixen), L’Amoureux (The Lover), Le Matelot (The Sailor), L’Ange (The Angel), Le Kid (The Kid), Le Joueur (The Artist), de Football et de Tennis (The Football et Tennis Player), were crafted in yellow gold, lacquer, white pearls, and coloured stones, embodying FRED's joyful style. Each precious little figurines could be worn as brooches or pendants.
LOT 68: A GEM-SET AND PEARL 'FREDY'S, LA PATINEUSE' PENDANT/BROOCH, BY FRED PARIS, CIRCA 1990
Designed as an ice skater executing a pirouette, of textured and polished gold with a brilliant-cut diamond collar and circular-cut ruby sleeves, to a round-shaped mabé pearl for face, with articulated polished gold bale, mounted in 18K gold, signed Fred Paris, with maker's mark 'Sté D' for Dorsey, length (excluding bale): 4.1cm
Overtime, the Fredy jewellery collection grew with artistic collaborations, including French artist and graphic designer JP Goude, who in 2009 added his playful touch by designing Fredy's in zebra costumes, wearing eccentric hats, and with skateboards. In 2021 Valérie Samuel, the Artistic Director and Vice-President of FRED, continued this tradition by inviting Japanese custom fashion designer Tomo Koizum to bring his unique vision to the Fredy family.
LOT 25: AN IMPORTANT LATE 19TH CENTURY RIVIÈRE NECKLACE, CIRCA 1880
Centring a circular-cut citrine weighing approximately 40.00cts between graduated oval-shaped citrines, each within claw-setting and open-back, mounted in 9K gold, remaining citrines approximately 300.00cts total, length 58.3cm.
The design of the rivière necklace is one of timeless elegance and versatility. Rivières were crafted with either linear or graduated stones, often featuring citrines, amethysts, and topazes, set in a row and linked together as seamlessly as possible. The single, unbroken line of gemstones captures and fragments light as it falls on the necklace, creating a visual quality similar to that when light falls on the surface of a river. The necklace has thus been imagined as a ‘river of light’ owing to this dynamic visual effect.
Anna Wintour, the longstanding editor-in-chief of American Vogue, has established herself as one of the most influential figures in the fashion industry. There is no doubt that her personal style has become just as iconic as her editorial vision, and she is frequently seen wearing a radiant citrine necklace. Citrine, often called the “Merchant’s Stone,” is heralded as being symbolic of prosperity, wealth, and good fortune. The stones capture the warmth and brilliance of the sun, with their golden hue creating an inviting glow and drawing attention to the brilliance of each.
The elegance of the rivière affords it a timeless appeal that transcends specific periods over its history of design and keeps it relevant as a statement piece through to the styles of today. This stylistic legacy is reflected in its very design, with the unbroken strand of gemstones seen to be symbolic of notions of eternal time – and eternal style.
Buying at Auction and the Role of Antiques in a Modern Home
Important Irish Art Auction Highlights
Oliver Dowling Collection by Aidan Dunne
2024 is a year in which Adam’s wants to recognise the key role buying antique furniture and furnishings at auction contributes greatly to the sustainable initiative. In 2019 the Environmental Protection Agency reported stark figures that each year in Ireland 1.2 million reusable bulky items, primarily furniture goes into landfill. Similar to the problem of ‘fast fashion’, the constant production and consumption of new items is leading to rapidly growing waste problem. We want to acknowledge those who are already buying second hand or antique furniture at auction and to encourage new buyers by highlighting the benefits of acquiring affordable, well-made quality items that are built to last.
Irish author, recipe creator and lifestyle influencer, Indy Parsons, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
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Cork-born Irish actress, Sarah Greene, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
Yvonne Aupicq had met Orpen, we understand, while working as a nurse during the war. He had been admitted to hospital with a suspected case of scabies which ended up being a far more serious case of blood poisoning as he recounts in his wartime memoir ‘An Onlooker in France’. Their relationship continued after 1918 when Orpen was appointed as the official artist to The Paris Peace Conference. They relocated to capital and over the following decade he painted her numerous times, often nude as in Amiens 1914, or The Rape and Nude Girl Reading (1921). Working with her as his model during these early years after the war allowed Orpen an opportunity to re-fuel his creativity.
Editor-in-Chief of IMAGE Publications, Lizzie Gore-Grimes, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
Our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction on September 13th features a prime example of Van Cleef & Arpel's renowned 'Mystery Setting'
Our June auction offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of the great masterpieces of Irish art and icons of Dublin’s history.
Georgia Chiesa selects some of her favourite lots in the upcoming Vintage Wine & Spirits Auction
"Beating the bounds is a tradition that can be traced back to the medieval period. At this time, land was divided into parishes and the clergy and church wardens held the responsibility for its upkeep and management. It was up to the Church to ensure that its parishioners knew the local boundary lines and, before maps became commonplace, this had to be kept as a mental record."
Adam’s in conjunction with Suzanne MacDougald are proud to host an online timed auction of artworks to aid the Irish Red Cross’s humanitarian work in delivering vital services to millions of people impacted by the conflict in Ukraine. With no buyers premium 100% of the hammer price will go directly to the Irish Red Cross.
Ros Drinkwater writes of Jack B Yeats' 'The Boat' in the Business Post:
With a consolidated result of €320,000,the At Home sale in Stephan’s Green, was a great success.
James Adam & Sons Ltd, Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, 26 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2,
D02 X665, Ireland
