Jewels and art valued at up to $30 million go on sale

DUBAI // A collection of jewels and art valued at as much as US$30 million (Dh110 million) goes on display today before going under the hammer at auction.

It includes a suite of natural pearls and diamonds valued at $1 million, designed by the Swiss jeweller Bogh-Art, and one of 41 matching sets of jewels up for auction on Tuesday and Wednesday, along with limited-edition watches and 30 pieces of modern and contemporary Middle Eastern art.

"It's an exciting set of sales," said Michael Jeha, managing director of Christie's in the Middle East. The matching jewellery sets, called parures, "should attract a lot of interest".

Also on display will be a 26-carat cabochon Kashmir sapphire ring, an art-deco necklace of 149 Burmese rubies and diamonds, and a melo pearl found in the South China Sea, the second-largest recorded and the ninth to be sold at auction.

Two pieces feature a turquoise-coloured gemstone called the Paraiba tourmaline, named after the Brazilian state where it is found. The works of art come from the Saudi patron Mohammed Said Farsi. The showcase piece, Whirling Dervishes, painted by Mahmoud Said in 1929, is valued at up to $400,000.

The jewellery and art will be on display for public viewing in Christie's auction room at Jumeirah Emirates Towers hotel today and tomorrow from 2pm to 10pm, and on Tuesday from 10am to 1.30pm.

The art auction takes place on Tuesday at 6.30pm, and the jewels and watches event on Wednesday at 7pm.

chuang@thenational.ae