Until October 21, bid online for iconic watches and jewellery from Chanel, Bulgari and more in Paddle8’s auction.
ResultsBy Maria Doulton
The Style: Luxury Accessories auction now taking place at Paddle8 is a first for this digital destination for discerning collectors of art, design and other rarities. The sale brings together handbags and jewellery – both costume and fine – as well as women’s watches. What unites the 105 items in this sale is the feeling that you are browsing the extensive and effortlessly chic wardrobe of a very stylish lady who chooses her handbags as carefully and knowingly as she does her watches and jewels. Bid on one of these pieces for a perfectly polished finish to any outfit, be it a pair of vintage Chanel earrings or a Bulgari Serpenti watch.
View all lots in Paddle8's Style: Luxury Accessories auction
Paddle8 likes to do things its own way, and its sales are obsessively tempting thanks to its exquisite yet original selection of the most desirable items in the world. Founded in 2011, Paddle8 offers collectors cleverly curated sales served up with the ease of digital technology. This combination seems to be the future for sybarites who want to buy the best without having to actually walk into an auction room, which is why Paddle8 bills itself as “the auction house for the 21st-century collector”. Backers of this fledgling venture include, amongst others, the investors behind Uber, Vimeo and Buzzfeed, as well as big-name artist Damien Hirst and art dealer Jay Jopling, as well as Matthew Mellon.
Followers of The Jewellery Editor will know that Paddle8 is gaining a reputation as the click-to place for unique jewellery. In May 2015, it recently held a successful auction curated by Solange Azagury-Partridge that included jewels by this standout British designer, as well as works of art and furniture.
Read more about the Solange Azagury-Partridge auction
The eye of curator Clare Borthwick, Fashion and Accessories specialist at Paddle8, is evident in this well-edited selection of accessories. She knows her audience, and it shows. “This sale is mainly made up of costume and silver jewellery, all of which are branded,” explains Ms. Borthwick. “This is our first sale of its kind, and I wanted to experiment and see if handbag buyers are also interested in jewellery. The same buyers who seek out, say, an Hermès handbag for its quality and craftsmanship may well look for the same qualities in their rings.”
With years of experience in the Fashion & Handbags Department of storied brick-and-mortar auction houses, Ms. Borthwick explains: “I'm always looking for unusual and interesting things that will appeal to the sharp eye of our exceptionally savvy collectors. For this sale, I wanted a range of values, with accessible price points for those starting a collection as well as more valuable pieces for established collectors.”
Amongst the lots is a selection of pieces from the respected Parisian vintage jewellery dealer Karine Zachahrias. Faced with such a tempting and diverse array, Ms. Borthwick had to edit: “I chose iconic pieces from each brand, such as the classic Chanel chain bracelet watch and the Hermès enamel cuff.”
Tipped to sell well is the Chanel costume jewellery - in particular the pearl pieces - as well as big cuffs.
Included in the many Chanel costume jewellery pieces are a pair of enamel and pearl clip-on earrings, with gold rope borders and imitation pearls, echoing the buttons on Coco Chanel's beloved suit jackets ($500-$700).
A second pair of clip-on Chanel earrings showcase the ancient art of filigree beautifully, inset with imitation pearls ($500-$700).
With an Eastern-inspired design, a Maharaja-style Chanel brooch features a centred cabochon pâte de verre emerald surrounded by crystals, with a teardrop-shaped baroque pearl hanging from the bottom in a style reminiscent of Indian aristocracy ($1,200-$1,800).
Many of Chanel's creations have been inspired by Mademoiselle's favourite flower, the camellia, and this 18ct white gold and black ceramic Camélia ring, circa 2000, would make a fabulous addition to your accessories wardrobe ($1,800-$2,200).
With a hinged fastening, the Chanel cuff bracelet features the entwined double C motif, recreated in imitation pearls set in resin ($1,000-$1,500).
Two highly covetable Collier de Chien bracelets, with spiked metal studs that recall the famous Hermès dog collar belt of the 1920s, are for sale in alligator leather ($2,500-$3,000). Bid now on either the hot pink or geranium red models.
The Hermès Brandebourgs cuff makes a bold statement, the design, in bright enamel on palladium, inspired by traditional military garb ($450-$650).
As well as an array of jewellery, the auction also includes a selection of luxury watches. The Chanel Première Chain watch features a gold link bracelet, interlaced with black leather - just like the strap on Chanel's quilted handbags - and a slick black dial, with a reliable Swiss quartz movement ($700-$900).
The Hermès Iris Leather Heure H MM watch, with a stainless steel case, white dial and Swiss quartz movement, has a mauve strap fashioned from the same butter-soft leather as the legendary Birkin bags ($1,000-$1,500).
The Bulgari Serpenti watch is a design classic, with its snake-like bracelet coiling up the wrist. This model in stainless steel, with a diamond-set bezel and quartz movement, radiates elegance, and comes complete with its original presentation box ($5,000-$7,000).
After scrolling through the lots, glass of wine in hand, I have found myself tempted by the alluring possibility of slinging the pepper-red Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Alma tote on to the crook of my arm with the Hermès Brandenbourgs cuff nestled alongside it. Or perhaps I should go for the more obvious combination of the Hermès raspberry pink alligator skin Collier de Chien bracelet next to the apple green Hermès Swift Market bag. One click and they could be mine.
For more details on the Paddle8 Style: Luxury Accessories online auction, click here
Contact Paddle8 London: tel: +44 (0)20 3743 0373; [email protected]
