As part of its celebrated Spirit of America exhibition and auction from the collection of Erving and Joyce Wolf, Sotheby’s is holding a sale called America Without Reserve.
The Wolfs, with upbringings on the Wyoming Air Force Base and in Brooklyn, built the Wolf Land Company and Inexco Oil Company and championed American art in their private collections. Among the more than 1,000 pieces that adorned carefully curated spaces in their Fifth Avenue home were paintings by John Singleton Copley and Gilbert Stuart, objects by Frank Lloyd Wright, lighting by Tiffany Studios, and silver by Paul Revere Jr.
They also amassed some incredible jewels, from such houses as Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels, and David Webb. Below are a few of the jewelry highlights.
Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery-Set brooch (circa 1965) in platinum with approximately 5.4 cts. t.w. round diamonds, approximately 2.65 cts. t.w. marquise- and baguette-cut diamonds, and calibre-cut rubies, estimate $400,000–$500,00; sold for $584,200
René Boivin bracelet (circa 1937) in platinum and 18k white gold with two central diamonds of approximately 2.3 cts. t.w. plus 23 cts. t.w. old mine–, old European–, single-, and baguette-cut diamonds, estimate $80,000–$120,000; sold for $101,600David Webb pendant-brooch in platinum and 18k gold with 13 cts. t.w. round diamonds, round and cabochon rubies, and cabochon emeralds, estimate $40,000–$60,000; sold for $44,450Jacques Timey for Harry Winston ear clips in platinum with 3.1 ct. and 2.85 ct. pear-shape diamonds, 3.65 ct. and 4.85 ct. pear-shape sapphires, and tapered baguette diamonds and sapphires, estimate $60,000–$80,000; sold for $69,850Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery-Set necklace (also pictured at top) in 18k gold with rubies and approximately 60 to 70 cts. t.w. diamonds,, estimate $300,000–$500,00; sold for $673,100
