27 Oct 2006
Dubai: Christie's today displays stunning jewellery from a private collection of a ruling family in the Middle East, valued at $20 million (Dh73 million).
Visitors to the two-day exhibition at the Godolphin Ballroom, Emirates Towers, can see the Gulf Pearl Suite by Harry Winston - the most important lot of the private collection.
The pearl and diamond necklace, bracelet, earrings and ring set, created in the late 1970s, is expected to fetch at least $4 million (Dh14.7 million) when it goes under the hammer in Geneva on November 14.
Also on view will be the Millennium Brooch, a mystery-set ruby and diamond piece composed of two flower heads that can be worn separately or together.
The accessory is the only one of its kind and is expected to sell for a minimum of $500,000 (Dh1.8 million) as part of the Van Cleef and Arpels Centennial Tribute sale in Geneva on November 16.
Eric Valdieu, vice-president of Christie's jewellery department in Geneva, said the auction house had 63 per cent of the global market share in selling jewellery.
Explaining why Christie's chose to give a preview of the sales, he said: "The Middle East is an important market for us and Dubai is a major centre in the region.
"We are trying to expand the interest of the Middle East people by bringing them works of art that maybe they didn't think of, didn't know or had not seen in the past.
"We are hoping to attract new buyers and we are also bringing items to existing clients so they can see them in their home town rather than through our catalogues."
Entry is free to the exhibition which is open from noon to 10pm today and tomorrow.
Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.
