Lot 325
- 325
Sapphire cigarette case, Cartier, 1950s and a sapphire cigarette case
Estimate
6,500 - 8,500 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- gold, sapphires
The rectangular case of ribbed design with cabochon sapphire push piece, measuring approximately 124 x 83 x 10mm, signed Cartier and numbered, French assay and maker's marks, inscribed to the interior "Le 16/11/1957, Souvenir reconnaisant et sincères voeux de Bonheur et de succèss, Alexis de Redé Arturo López-Willshaw", In thankful memory with sincerest wishes for luck and success, Alexis de Redé and Arturo López-Willshaw, together with a rectangular cigarette case decorated with a radiating ribbed design to a cabochon sapphire clasp, measuring approximately 90 x 65 x 15mm.
Condition
Rectangular case: French assay mark for 18 carat gold. Cartier's maker's mark. Signed Cartier Paris. Numbered 06192. Inscription as stated in cataloguing. Smaller case: Stamped 750 for 18 carat gold. Both cases the sapphires dark blue, transparent, typical inclusions visible under magnification. Scratches to metal consistent with wear. In good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones and to the Notice regarding import of Burmese jadeite and rubies into the US.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones and to the Notice regarding import of Burmese jadeite and rubies into the US.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Baron Alexis de Redé, third Baron, (1922-2004) was the son of an Austrian banker. At 19, he met in New York the Chilean multimillionaire Arturo Lopez-Willshaw, whose fortune came from guano. Arturo was married to his cousin Patricia López-Huici and, together with Alexis de Redé, formed an intimate trio during their lifetime. Just before the Second World War, Arturo Lopez Willshaw bought the Rodocanachi villa in Neuilly (Paris suburb), 14, rue du Centre, which soon became famous as the Hôtel Arturo López, with outstanding collections, especially a magnificent French silver collection, sold at Sotheby’s in Monaco on 20th June 1992. During the sale, some of the most important pieces were bought by the Louvre (a François-Thomas Germain “plat à ragout” and an oval tureen with stand and cover by Edme-Pierre Balzac, both coming from the most famous French Royal silver service, the Bourbon-Penthièvre’s, which then came by descent to King Louis-Philippe of the French). One of the star lots of the sale was the most expensive coffee-pot, still unequalled, by François-Thomas Germain in 1756 in Paris. Estimated 1,500,000 FF, it sold to a private collector for an amazing price of 8,325,000 FF. On his side, Alexis de Redé organized a first sale with Sotheby’s in 1975 in Monaco. In 1956, he settled down in one of the most beautiful Parisian residences, the Hôtel Lambert on Saint-Louis island near Notre-Dame, a superb property belonging to his friends, Baron Guy and Baroness Marie-Hélène de Rothschild. In this wonderful residence, Alexis de Redé organized with his friends Rothschild some of the most famous parties in Paris : the “Dîner de Têtes” in 1957 and, above all, the “Bal oriental” on 5th December 1969, certainly the most elegant ball in Paris after the War. In the Hôtel Lambert, he accumulated a fantastic art collection which, according to his last will after his death in 2004, came up for sale at Sotheby’s in Paris on 16th and 17th March 2005. This sale was a huge success rewarding the fine collector taste that Alexis de Redé showed during his whole life.