Beverly, Massachusetts - Kaminski is pleased to present at auction the estate of Mary L. Alchian, of Palm Springs, California on Sunday, January 18th, 2014.
For years a prominent Palm Springs jeweler, businesswoman and tastemaker, her collection spans all genres of antiques and art from fine silver and vintage jewelry to 20th century California artists. All Mary L. Alchian lots are to be sold unreserved, to benefit an educational institution.
There is a vast jewelry and silver collection that includes pieces from Cartier and T.B. Starr . The collection will be divided into approximately one hundred different lots to be sold throughout the auction.
Among the most eye-catching are a dazzling Art Deco platinum, diamond and sapphire bracelet with a total of eight carats of diamonds set in platinum and arranged in the shape of a narrow bow. Sapphires highlight the edges of the bow, adding detail and contrast to the design. The estimate for this exquisite piece is $7,000-$12,000.
This bracelet is complimented by two other Art Deco era pieces in the collection. The first is a circa 1920 to 1930 s Art Deco Chinese carved jade pin set in platinum with a circular diamond border and cabochon rubies, marked "T.B. Starr," and valued at $2,500-$4,500. There is also an elegant pair of Art Deco diamond earrings that catch the eye with a subtle geometric design.
Sure to interest Cartier collectors is a 14 carat yellow gold Cartier compact with diamonds and sapphires, marked A1170. The compact is comprised of fourteen single cut diamonds and eighteen channel set natural blue sapphires and is estimated at $4,000-$7,000.
There is also a lady's 18 carat white gold, pearl, and diamond purse encircled with 52 diamonds around the border and estimated at $7,000-$12,000. The purse was made in the 1920s and is designed in the style of Boucheron.
Two emerald pieces from the collection include a four strand emerald bead bracelet with a 14 carat white gold and diamond clasp, circa 1920-1930 s estimated at $3,000-$5,000 and a ladies’ platinum, diamond, and oval cabochon cut natural emerald ring with diamonds estimated at $3,500-$6,500.
Ms. Alchian was also an accomplished collector of 20Th century California artists during her lifetime. Within her collection to be offered at Kaminski are beautiful California landscapes by Jack Wilkinson Smith, Paul Grimm and William Keith. Ms. Alchian had a close relationship with Keith’s former lover, Mae Hotely, a silent film actress, from whom she acquired the paintings.
Highlights of the sale also include important offerings from other estates including a pair of Asprey sterling three light candelabra valued at $15,000-$25,000, an important H.G. Birchall watercolor and a collection of sixty-four Giovanni Battista Piranesi etchings valued at $30,000-$50,000.
Preview for this important sale begins Thursday, January 15th and runs through Saturday, January, 17th from 10:00am-5:00pm and day of sale beginning at 8:00am at the Kaminski Auction gallery, 117 Elliott Street, Rt. 62, Beverly, Massachusetts. The sale will be available online at http://www.kaminskiauctions.com on Friday, January 2nd by 8:00pm ET.
