Sidney Mobell’s famed jeweled creations scored impressive results at Bonham’s auction in Los Angeles earlier this month, with several items earning several times their estimates.
All in all, the 45-lot sale achieved $132,864, with 87% of items sold by lot and 100% sold by value.
The top lot was one of Mobell’s most famous works: a 23k gold-plated and gem-studded Monopoly game, complete with board, dice, tokens, cards, hotels, houses, dice cup, and play money printed on metallic paper. It sold for $28,800, more than five times its presale estimate of $3,000 to $5,000.
Mobell, who died in November at age 96, owned a jewelry store in San Francisco—but he was best known for sprinkling gems on everyday objects, from sardine cans to gumball machines. He generally unveiled a new work every year, often adorning an object, like a Furby, that was in the news. While his creations, such as a jewel-covered toilet seat he dubbed “The Golden Throne,” may have been tongue-in-cheek, some pieces have been featured in galleries, hailed as legitimate works of art.
Another top lot at Bonhams was a 18k bicolor gold and round diamond loupe, set with round diamonds weighing 4.35 carats. It sold for $10,880, over four times its presale estimate.
Mobell’s 18k gold and platinum “Snowball” Furby doll—produced in 1999 with 14 carats worth of diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds—went for $8,320, four times its presale estimate.
Also doing well: a 14k gold mousetrap, featuring moving parts and a piece of cheese made of white gold and set with 1.5 cts. round diamonds. It sold for $6,400.
Top: Sidney Mobell with his Monopoly set (photo: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo/courtesy of Bonhams; photos courtesy of Bonhams)
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