Exceptional Cartier Kashmir Sapphire Brooch Achieves £340,000
Unrelenting demand across the globe for high-quality, rare pieces
01/11/2023
In a firm testament to the enduring allure of timeless craftsmanship and exquisite gemstones, Dawsons' latest Fine Jewellery sale included a spectacular Cartier Kashmir sapphire and diamond flower brooch - truly a symbol of luxury from the 1930s.
Our objective is always to achieve the best result for our clients. With this in mind, firstly our team of Specialists ensured that a trusted independent GCS report was obtained to certify the clarity and natural Kashmir origin of the sapphire. This provided potential buyers the required proof of provenance, enabling them to bid with confidence.
Dawsons' in-house marketing team then created a bespoke plan, directly alerting known international buyers, whilst related social media campaigns and film, across multiple channels, achieved in excess of 30,000 views.
Having attracted serious interest from across the globe, our Specialists then met with prospective buyers in person, with a number of interested clients flying directly into London to examine the brooch themselves.
On the day of the auction, international bidding was extremely strong, and the brooch sold for a record hammer price of £340,000.
The team at Dawsons are understandably delighted to achieve such a strong result for our client, whilst this significant sale result demonstrates that the market remains strong for high-quality, rare pieces.
Consigned by a private client, and with its unique blend of historical significance and intricate design, the brooch was certain to capture the imagination of many a prospective suitor. Crafted circa 1930s, it is a delicate portrayal of a single cherry blossom bloom, a timeless symbol of renewal and the transient nature of life. At its centre, it featured a cushion-shaped Kashmir sapphire, extremely rare and renowned for its intense blue colour, and weighing an estimated 7.00ct. The piece is signed 'Cartier London' to the reverse, adding a prestigious provenance to its already exceptional attributes.
In addition to its unparalleled beauty, a natural unenhanced Kashmir sapphire is a gemstone of immense rarity as the Kashmir mine was only open six years, from 1881 to 1887, before the mine was depleted. Cartier had forged a strong connection with India during the early 20th century, instigated by Jacques Cartier, after he made his first trip to India in 1911 which enabled Cartier to incorporate Kashmir sapphires into their designs.
What elevates this brooch to a realm of unparalleled luxury is not just the central sapphire but the meticulous attention to detail in the surrounding petals. Each petal is adorned with old cut diamonds, and at their centre, they boast large old cut diamonds with an estimated weight ranging from 1.50ct to 2.00ct. The brooch's grand total estimated diamond weight is an impressive 16.00cts, a testament to the opulence and grandeur of Cartier’s design ethos during this era.
A Cartier Kashmir Sapphire & Diamond Flower Brooch
Kashmir sapphires are celebrated for their exceptional quality and cornflower blue colour, making them one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world. Allied with the accompanying GCS report confirming its natural Kashmir origin, and with no indications of heat treatment, its desirability was only elevated on sale day.
Dawsons has a reputation for curating auctions that feature privately owned items of extraordinary calibre. Boasting a friendly and professional team of Jewellery, Watch & Silver specialists, we are only too delighted to impart our knowledge, expertise and sales advice when helping our clients to achieve the best possible price at auction.
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