The Hindman collection forms an historical survey links of london. As such the intention was to keep it intact. Now, confident that that book provides a permanent record, she is breaking it up. The fact that collectors and museums have shown interest in parts rather than the whole of it was also persuasive.
“Roman to Renaissance” is bound to attract keen interest. Dealers seldom have outstanding examples; few have come to auction. When one does Links of London Charms, bidding has been fierce. In 2006, Christie’s offered a 14th-century ring, enamelled and set with a pointed diamond, found by a metal detectorist. The auction house proposed that it might have been a gift from Edward III. The ring fetched Pounds 84,000; almost double its estimate. The 35 rings being offered at Wartski are priced from Pounds 14,000 to Pounds 85,000. None can be reserved until the exhibition starts Links of London Necklaces.
“Roman to Renaissance: A private collection of rings” is on view at Wartski in London from May 12th to May 22nd
A selling exhibition of antique rings lends academic heft to the fluff of ornament
The more powerful men were, or wanted to be, the more fabulous were the jewels they sought. In 1742, for instance, August III, Elector of Saxony (Links of London Bracelets) paid more for what was (and remains) the world’s biggest sea-green diamond than he spent building Dresden’s Frauenkirche, then Europe’s largest Protestant church. Nineteenth-century robber barons (and assorted Rothschilds) included Renaissance gold and jewels in their art collections.