A Dazzling Discovery: Hindman to Present Gold Boxes and Vertu from The Estate of a Prominent Kansas City Collector
CHICAGO – On October 18, Hindman is pleased to present a dazzling collection of 42 finely crafted boxes and objects of vertu in a single-owner auction. The late owner’s collection is centered around 18th and 19thcentury works such as snuff boxes, boîtes-à-portrait, nécessaires and more. For bidders looking for a rare and highly coveted item to add to their collection, Gold Boxes and Vertu from the Estate of a Prominent Kansas City Collector is certainly worth exploring.
“It is a specialist’s dream to be able to handle a collection of this level of quality and thoughtful curation on behalf of the original collector,” shared Nick Coombs, Hindman’s Senior Specialist for European Furniture & Decorative Arts. “Instead of being focused exclusively on one specific era, country or form, it features some of the best craftsmanship and most stunning examples of the past 250 years.”
Lot 9 | A Diamond, Colored Diamond and Gold Mounted Bloodstone Box | Estimate: : $25,000 – $35,000
While these items are based on practical forms such as boxes for housing snuff, they showcase incredible technical workmanship beyond their mere function, and continue to be among the most highly sought-after objects of vertu. These cherished objects were usually made in gold and often adorned with enamel, precious jewels, mother-of-pearl, or other exotic and costly materials.
Highlighting this striking collection will be an 18thcentury antique diamond and bloodstone box containing numerous old mine, European and rose-cut diamonds mounted in silver-topped gold (lot 9; estimate: $25,000-35,000). Additional highlights include a Continental gold and enamel snuff box from the late 18th or early 19th century (lot 17; estimate $8,000-12,000), a French gold figural compound scent flask, snuff box and hand-seal of Ducal interest (lot 28; estimate $5,000-7,000), and a George III gold and jewel-mounted carved bloodstone snuff box inset with a clock (lot 32; estimate $6,000-8,000).
Lot 15 and 20 | A French Gold, Enamel, Seed Pearl, and Portrait-Inset Snuff Box; Estimate: $7,000 – $9,000 | A Gold and Enameled Bonbonnière; Estimate: $6,000 – $8,000
A number of colorful objects from the Art Deco period will also be represented, including a Vladimir Makovsky decorated gemstone-mounted gold and diamond, platinum, mother of pearl and hardstone-mounted enameled cigarette case (lot 4; estimate: $5,000 – $7,000).
Bidding for the October 18th auction will begin at 9am CT, and will be available in person at Hindman’s Chicago saleroom, via telephone, absentee bid and online via Hindman’s Digital Bid Room. Additional information about the auction can be viewed here.