SYDNEY.- Exquisite pieces from Bonhams Australia Jewels Sale on 27 May are now winging their way around the country and the globe. The tightly-curated sale of 57 lots saw strong local participation from within Australia, contributing to slightly over 50% of bidders. The rest of the biddings – mostly via online – was international, with a strong focus from the United States, The United Kingdom, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Commenting on the result, Merryn Schriever, Director of Bonhams Australia, said: ‘The result reaffirms the rising group of Australian jewellery collectors, who are increasingly aware of auction as a preferred platform to look for new items. Meanwhile, international participation continues to be diverse, meaning collectors, in general, are keen to be back in the market, while embracing digital channels under this special circumstance.’

Bonhams’ website is seeing a record number of visitors over the past four weeks, of which half were new to the site.

The sale’s top lot, a diamond ‘love’ bangle by Cartier - one of fashion’s most coveted items since its release in 1969 – inspired a bidding battle across all platforms, before selling above its high estimate for AU$39,040 (Estimate: AU$20,000-30,000).

Fiona Frith, Bonhams Jewellery Specialist, Australia, said: ‘We saw strong results for pieces from such established jewellery houses as Cartier, Piaget, Bunda, and Farren-Price. Fitting with our predicted growing trend towards nostalgia, we also saw robust demand for vintage jewellery including cocktail rings, gem and diamond brooches and earrings.’