LONDON.- This May, Christie's will hold their second series of „Elegance‟ auctions – presenting a range of luxury items from stunning jewels and classic watches through to exotic Hermès handbags and even dog accessories, as well as highly sought after Lalique glass mascots and vessels. The sales will take place on 25 and 26 May 2011, and provide collectors and savvy fashionistas with the perfect opportunity to indulge in the rarest and most beautiful examples by their favourite designers.

Jewels and Watches
The distinctive assortment of traditional and contemporary jewellery designs on offer will comprise over 200 lots, with everything from rings and necklaces, to bracelets and brooches, as well as over twenty of the most stylish men’s watches. Prices range from £800 to £25,000, and sale highlights include a diamond-set stainless steel five time zone quartz wristwatch, by Jacob & Co. (estimate: £2,000-3,000); a diamond, rock crystal and turquoise bangle, by Stephen Webster (estimate: £3,000-4,000); and a diamond single stone ring (estimate: £25,000-30,000). One lot with a particularly intriguing history is a 9ct. gold presentation notebook case, by Cartier (estimate: £800-1,200). Inscribed “Fruity from Edwina March 1932” the case was a gift from Edwina, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, wife of Lord Louis Mountbatten, 1st. Earl Mountbatten of Burma, to Major Edward Dudley Metcalfe, known as “Fruity”. Fruity Metcalfe was equerry to Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, and was best man at the wedding of Edwina to Lord Louis Mountbatten, in 1922.

Hermès Handbags and Accessories
Following the success of the inaugural Elegance sale held by Christie’s in December 2010, which saw nine Hermès handbags sell for over £30,000 each, this May’s auction once again includes a large selection of the most desirable Hermès bags ever made. The most exotic and most sought-after are made from crocodile and Christie’s sale will offer more than ten examples, in all the colours of the rainbow from pink to grey, through amethyst and saffron shades, completing the spectrum with a superb classic graphite Birkin bag (estimate: £32,000-35,000). The sale will also offer examples for those with smaller luxury budgets, such as a classic leather Kelly bag (estimate: £1,000-2,000). Further highlights include a rare limited edition „Shadow‟ Birkin bag (estimate: £10,000-15,000) in which the straps, padlock and key fob are seen as a ghostly relief against a creamy white matte leather ground, set against the glossiest black crocodile on the market (estimate: £32,000-35,000). And for animal lovers who really do have everything, Christie’s will be offering specially-commissioned crocodile dog collars and leads by Hermès – the ultimate in luxury pet accessories.

Lalique
Christie’s is the only auction house to offer biannual sales dedicated to the alluring designs of the master glassmaker René Lalique (1860-1945). This May the sale will feature over 150 lots, with estimates ranging from £500 to £25,000. The sale includes a single-owner collection of around forty lots, comprising a wonderful spectrum of large coloured vases, as well as sought after scent bottles and car-mascots, such as the Victoire car mascot designed in 1928 (estimate: £8,000-12,000). Acquired during the 1970s, 80s and 90s the collection is sure to rouse great interest from International collectors. Further highlights include a Serpent vase in deep amber, an Oranges vase, 1926 (estimate: £10,000-15,000) and a „rainbow‟ of nine differently shaded Formose vases.

Auctions:
Elegance: Jewels, Watches & Handbags - Wednesday, 25 May 2011 at 10.30am
Lalique – Thursday, 26 May 2011 at 2.00pm