AuctionsMay 04, 2022
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See the 12 JAR Jewels Headed to Christie’s New York
From the estate of Ann Getty, the collection will likely blow its $1.5 million total pre-sale estimate out of the water.
JAR’s “Parrot Tulip” brooch is among 12 of the designer’s jewels from the Ann Getty estate hitting the auction block next month. Featuring rubies, sapphires, garnets, tourmalines, and diamonds, and signed JAR Paris, the 1990 brooch is estimated to sell for between $200,000 and $300,000. (Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2022)
New York—The “Light of Africa” diamond isn’t the only major draw at the upcoming Magnificent Jewels sale at Christie’s New York.
Also headlining the June 8 auction are 12 jewels by JAR from the estate of Ann Getty.
Joel Arthur Rosenthal—commonly known by his initials, JAR—is the exclusive American designer beloved by discerning collectors. Rosenthal opened his Parisian studio in 1977, crafting one-of-a-kind jewels that most often reference nature, as well as historical architectural elements and textile-like patterns.
JAR has proven to be one of the most in-demand contemporary jewelry artists at auction.
Case in point: Rosenthal’s “Branch Under Snow” bangle bracelet sold for $1.9 million at Christie’s last year, though its high estimate was only $600,000.
Said to produce no more than 100 pieces per year, the notoriously private designer has earned plenty of recognition from major art institutions. He was the first living jeweler to be granted a retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in 2013.
Getty was a longtime JAR collector who has loaned pieces from her collection to such exhibitions. In addition to the Met, she loaned to a JAR exhibition at London’s Somerset House in 2002 and the “Masterpieces of French Jewelry” exhibition at the San Francisco Legion of Honor Museum in 2007.
Married into the famed Getty family, Ann was a philanthropist, socialite, and publisher. Born Ann Gilbert, she was the daughter of farmers in northern California, Christie’s said.
She studied biology and anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley, even participating in anthropological digs, and was passionate about the fields throughout her lifetime.
“Ann Getty was a trained scientist whose personal collection of JAR reflected her innate curiosity and impeccable taste for jewelry that was both beautifully-crafted and evoked memories of her family and research trips abroad,” Christie’s Americas Head of Jewelry Daphne Lingon said.
“Her jewels tell the story of a woman pursuing ideal beauty and a lifelong appreciation of craftspeople. Only works by JAR achieve the balance of nature, color, and form that she loved so much.”
Christie’s said the 12 pieces belonging to Getty going to auction could fetch a total $1.5 million, but, based on past performances, that estimate seems conservative.
They will prove by just how much on June 8 at Christie’s New York. The collection will be on public display in Geneva May 6-10, Hong Kong from May 25-27, and New York from June 3-7.
SEE: JAR Jewels from the Estate of Ann Getty
SEE: JAR Jewels from the Estate of Ann Getty
This pair of JAR sapphire, diamond, tourmaline, and green garnet “Green Orchid” brooches from 1989 are estimated to sell for $100,00-$150,000. (Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2022)
The pictured JAR pink topaz and diamond earrings set in 18-karat gold and silver are expected to fetch between $60,000 and $80,000. (Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2022)
This JAR emerald, beryl, peridot, garnet, tourmaline, and diamond leaf brooch is expected to fetch between $500,000 and $700,000, giving it the highest pre-sale estimate of the bunch. It is signed JAR Paris. (Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2022)
The “Vitrail Fleur-de-Lys” brooch features amethysts, tourmalines, garnets, and round diamonds in 18-karat gold and silver. Created in 1987, it is expected to earn between $80,000 and $120,000. (Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2022)
The JAR pair of citrine, garnet, and diamond “Pansy” brooches, 1988, are estimated to sell for $100,000-$150,00. (Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2022)
The agate, diamond, and sapphire zebra brooch from 1987 should earn between $50,000 and $70,000, according to Christie’s pre-sale estimate. (Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2022)
The pictured JAR sapphire, diamond, and green garnet earrings are expected to sell for between $200,000 and $300,000. They are signed JAR Paris. (Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2022)
The multi-gem and colored diamond “Multicolored Bouquet” brooch, signed JAR Paris, is expected to fetch $150,000-$200,000. (Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2022)
Featuring diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, these three “Fleur Pompons” brooches from 1989 are estimated to earn between $200,000 and $300,000. Each is signed JAR, Paris. (Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2022)
The “Oak Leaf” earrings feature tourmalines, garnets, amethysts, sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds. From 1988 and signed JAR Paris, they are expected to fetch $100,000-$150,000. (Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2022)
This brooch from 1990 features sapphires and spinels in 18-karat yellow gold and silver. It is estimated to earn between $80,000 and $120,000. (Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2022)
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