Jump on the JAR at Christie’s Upcoming Magnificent Jewels Sale

By Amy Elliott | May 17, 2021

There are a quite few headliners leading the June 8 Magnificent Jewels sale at Christie’s—such as the “Dancing Sun” (the polished version of this diamond). But while those items claim the spotlight, a certain kind of collector may be inclined to quietly slip into a small little corner of the action: 20 or so jewels and objects by JAR (lots 136–154).

Also known as Joel Arthur Rosenthal, the celebrated jeweler is without question one of the most important American voices designing today. (He never puts out a line or collection, as his workshop famously only produces a scant 70 pieces per year.) Diane von Furstenberg once called him the Fabergé of our time.

The Important West Coast Collection being offered by Christie’s almost certainly belonged to a JAR devotee traveling in the same circles as Ellen Barkin and the late Dame Elizabeth Taylor (whose JAR creations have also landed at Christie’s over the years).

Three jewels—lots 150, 152 (pictured below), and 154 (pictured below)—appeared in the “Jewels by JAR” retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2013. If you’re curious as to the provenance of Christie’s latest tantalizing jumble of JAR treasures, you can whip out your copy of the exhibition catalog and do some sleuthing.

Highlights from the collection below.

Jar Branch Under Snow bracelet — *Lot 154: Branch Under Snow bangle bracelet in silver and platinum with diamonds*

JAR rings at Christies — Clockwise, from top left: lot 151: ring in silver and gold with cushion step-cut emerald, round pink sapphires, and inversely set round diamonds; lot 147: Bonnet ring in blackened 18k gold and platinum with 11.33 ct. square cushion mixed-cut light pinkish purple sapphire, pink spinels, and round diamonds; lot 145: ring in 18k blackened gold with 2.04 ct. fancy intense purplish pink pear modified brilliant-cut diamond and round diamonds

Jar amethyst objects at Christies — *Lot 136: group of amethyst crystal and silver objects*

Jar telescopic bracelet — *Lot 152: reversible Telescopic Rings bracelet in 18k yellow gold with round brown diamonds and white diamonds*

Top: Many of the lots in the JAR section of the June 8 Magnificent Jewels auction come pristinely packaged in the designer’s signature pink boxes. Select pieces may be previewed June 4–7 by appointment at Christie’s New York.

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