For French auction house Rossini’s next curated sale, which will be held on 1 July, 265 handpicked lots will be offered. No less than 65 lots are numismatics, and a few lots of Russian art will join a remarkable selection of jewellery, combining gems, watches and brand creations.
The star lot of the numismatic section, this rare gold medal of the coronation of Louis XV is adorned with a bust decorated with the Necklace of the Order of the Holy Spirit and, on the reverse, with the Scene of the King's Anointing. The medal was only awarded to those present at the ceremony, held on 25 October 1722 in Reims Cathedral, a few months before the thirteenth birthday of Louis XV (the royal majority at the time). The very young monarch, only five years old when Louis XIV died, was entrusted to his great uncle Philippe d'Orléans until his coronation.
This model, almost unheard of in this metal at this diameter (38mm), bears the signature of Joseph Charles Roëttiers, an engraver from Flanders in the 17th century who held the post of Engraver General of Coins from 1682 to 1792. Roëttiers designed the coronation medal seven years after being appointed Ordinary Engraver of the King's Medals, and two years after his appointment as Private Engraver of the Louvre Mint.
The selection of jewellery is full of pieces by Van Cleef & Arpels, such as ’Cactée’ brooch, ‘Gerbes’ clip-on earrings and even a ‘Hawaii’ ring. Among the most interesting pieces is a beautiful textured yellow gold ‘Panthère’ bodice clip dating from the 1960s. The seated feline features an emerald gaze, enamelled nose and long whiskers in alluring gold.
Still within Van Cleef & Arpels, there is an ‘Alhambra’ half-set in 18K yellow gold and onyx, comprising a bracelet and a necklace. The Alhambra collection, created in 1968, is inspired by the four-leaf clover and has established itself as a mythical symbol in the history of the brand. It celebrates the creativity of the house, and its pure lines and recognisable silhouette are highlighted by a wide range of natural materials.
Among the diamonds, there’s an 18k white-gold necklace made up of a succession of heart motifs, each one adorned with three brilliant-cut diamonds. The total weight of the stones is estimated between 10 and 12 carats, their purity VS and their colour GH. It is an example of timeless and captivating beauty.
A platinum ring adorned with a half-cut diamond punctuates the session. Accompanied by a notice from the LFG dated April 2021, the diamond weighs 7.40 carats, is NR colour and VS1 clarity.
The silverware category closes the auction and will include an exceptional suite of twelve vermeil fruit knives by goldsmith V. Akimoff, made in Moscow between 1908 and 1917. Each handle is decorated with a frieze of flowers in polychrome enamel in an entourage of white enamelled pearls.
Akimoff was a Russian silversmith active from 1895 to 1917 and although little is known about his life, his maker's mark is found on a wide variety of objects, from religious icons to salt shakers or vodka buckets. It can therefore be assumed that the knives in the catalogue were made at the end of his career, or at the end of his known working years.
Akimoff's cutlery will be followed by a beautiful cigarette case in St. Petersburg silver, this time bearing the hallmark of the goldsmith EK Parkinïan. Rectangular in shape and rounded at the edges, the case has a hinged lid, a decoration chiselled with fine grooves and a plaque adorned with the coat of arms of a Polish princely family (applied later).
We finish with a suite of six teaspoons by Gustav Klingert, made in Moscow before 1896. Composed of vermeil, they are adorned with an arabesque motif in polychrome cloisonné enamels on a mat background, in an entourage of blue enamelled pearls. Of German origin, the goldsmith Gustav Klingert began his career at Fabergé before founding his own factory in Moscow in 1865, employing more than 200 artisans. In 1889, he exhibited at l'Exposition universelle in Paris, where his works received honourable mentions. At the Chicago World Fair four years later, his company was described as one of the largest in Russia and began exporting its items to the United States through Tiffany & Co.
Rossini's selection totals 265 lots and will be sold on 1 July. It is an auction ideal for lovers of historical numismatics, jewellers and silverware.