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With over 25 years’ experience in magazine publishing, Lizzie Gore-Grimes has edited almost every type of magazine – from fashion, interiors, food and travel to bridal and lifestyle. Her career in magazines has taken her from House & Garden in Cape Town to GQ London and then back to Ireland where over the years she has edited Cara, Food & Wine, IMAGE Brides, IMAGE interiors, IMAGE and a wide variety of contract publishing titles for private clients. Suffice to say, Gore-Grimes is a woman of style and taste, so we were delighted when she sat down with Adam's Head of Jewellery & Watches, Claire-Laurence Mestrallet, to select her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction on Tuesday September 13th, video below.
Read on for Lizzie's insights into each piece.
LOT 107: A RARE & COLLECTIBLE MYSTERY-SET SAPPHIRE FLOWER BROOCH, BY VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
This piece stood out immediately as one of the stars of the show. I wasn’t surprised to learn that this dreamy sapphire flowerhead was the work of esteemed jewellery maison Van Cleef & Arpels – an exquisite piece that showcases their signature ‘Mystery Setting’ technique; a revolutionary method of jewellery setting invented by Van Cleef & Arpels that makes the stones almost look as though they are floating.
LOT 3: A GOLD 'B.ZERO1' RING, BY BULGARI
There are a number of superb contemporary pieces in the sale that really caught my eye (and could offer a savvy buyer real value compared to the current retail price). I have always loved the classic ‘B.Zero1’ ring by Bulgari, it’s a statement piece but so timeless and elegant. I’m also a total sucker for rose gold.
LOT 149 & 154: A MOONSTONE ‘M'AMA NON M’AMA’ RING, BY POMELLATO and A BLUE TOPAZ ‘M'AMA NON M’AMA’ RING, BY POMELLATO
These contemporary gold rings by Milan-based jeweller Pomellato are so pretty. One is set with an oval-shaped moonstone cabochon and the other with a cushion-shaped blue topaz cabochon. They are for sale separately but look great worn together as a pair, stacked one on top of the other. I would highly recommend pursuing the pair!
LOT 10: A 18K GOLD ANDMOTHER-OF-PEARL 'CAPE COD' BRACELET WATCH, BY HERMÈS
This watch was one of the pieces I picked first. I adore the pink alligator double strap and gold buckle. Combined with the signature Hermès square mother-of-pearl dial with applied yellow Arabic numerals, polished gold case and lugs. And if you’re not feeling in pink mode every day, the watch comes with a spare black alligator strap. This piece is very high on my wish list.
LOT 11: A DIAMOND AND GOLD'EX-LIBRIS' CHARM BRACELET, BY HERMÈS
This delicate rose gold Hermès bracelet, presented in the brand’s signature orange and brown presentation box, would make a divine gift. The cable-link bracelet is beguilingly fine and includes a collet-set brilliant-cut diamond and a circular plaque with the Hermès logo in relief, within pierced frame and a circular polished gold plaque, with toggle clasp.
LOT 78: A TIGER’S EYE AND GOLD NECKLACE, BY GEORGES LENFANT, CIRCA 1970
When I met Claire on the day of the our viewing she was wearing the most beautiful champagne-coloured dress, so I picked this piece for her. This particular tone of burnished gold suits her so well. Exquisitely crafted by French jeweller Georges Lenfant, the long chain is formed as a series of alternating rope-twist and polished links, interspersed with woven knot-shaped motifs and polished tiger’s eye beads. To wear, it sits very comfortably around your neck at just the perfect weight.
LOT 61: A GEM-SET NOVELTY CLIP BROOCH, FRENCH, CIRCA 1960
I absolutely loved this little guy! We debated, is it a girl or a boy? Hard to say. Either way, it’s utterly charming, and guaranteed to lift your mood every time you wear it. The faceted agate face is framed by finely made woven gold hair (which has wonderful movement), with applied green hardstone eyes, gold lips and a ruby bead and seed pearl necklace. A truly unique piece.
LOT 16: A LATE 19TH CENTURY DIAMOND STAR PENDANT/BROOCH, CIRCA 1890
This elegant Victorian diamond star brooch can be worn as either a pendant or a brooch, which makes it eminently wearable. It would also make a beautiful piece of hair jewellery. The six-rayed star is set throughout withold brilliant-cut diamonds, each ray spaced by a trio of similarly cut diamonds within a pinched collet mount, and is very well priced.
LOT 156: AN IMPORTANT PAIR OF DIAMOND EARSTUDS
I am not sure I’ve ever held such magnificent diamonds in my hand. These are not your everyday studs, with each brilliant-cut diamond weighing 4.37cts and 4.32cts, respectively, within an eight-claw setting, mounted in 18K gold. There would be no going unnoticed with these statement beauties gracing your ears.
LOT 105: AN EMERALD AND DIAMOND CLUSTER RING
This was my wow piece! You don’t see many circular-cut emeralds so this ring is really very special – it also has circular accents surrounding the main stone. The way it catches the light on your finger is mesmerising.
LOT 47: A FANCY-LINK GOLD BRACLET, CIRCA 1955
This chucky vintage bracelet is so cleverly made, the way the bombé links open and expand as you circle it around your wrist is brilliant. A stunning piece to wear against any skin tone, with the combination of polished gold and matte satin white gold perfect against pale or dark skin.
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.
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
