Fine Art Jewellery and Antique Silver from both Europe and Asia are now well established categories at Fine Art Asia 2012, Asia’s premier annual art and antiques fair. Visitors will again have an opportunity to appreciate and acquire fabulous pieces of distinction with a unique history and provenance.

Fine Art Jewellery

Jan van Kranendonk Duffels, Antwerp, Belgium, has specialized in fine European and American antique jewellery for over 40 years. The collection includes fine and rare pieces from the world’s greatest designers from the late 19th century to the first half of the 20th century, including Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Boucheron, Tiffany, Raymond Yard and Oscar Heyman. A highlight at Fine Art Asia 2012 will be a “Tutti Frutti” necklace by Raymond Yard, c. 1934. The necklace and the detachable pendant are mounted in platinum and set with emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. Raymond Yard (1885-1964) became a legend in American jewellery, rising from humble origins to design jewellery for America’s finest families. With an impeccable eye for quality and detail, Yard created formal, traditional designs using the best stones in perfectly balanced combinations of cuts and sizes.

Siegelson, New York, deals in the finest diamond and precious gemstone jewellery, specializing in antique and estate pieces. Returning to Fine Art Asia for the 2nd year, Siegelson will feature a gold and plique-à-jour enamel morning glory pendant brooch by Marcus & Co., New York, c. 1900. Marcus was one of the most important American jewellers at the turn of the century, creating innovative gem- set and enamelled pieces that rivaled those of Tiffany & Co. This remarkable brooch was formerly in the collection of Ada Rehan, the popular late 19th century actress.

Another highlight is a ruby, sapphire, yellow diamond and enamel heart brooch by Paul Flato, New York, c. 1938, with a sapphire banner with “Verbum Carro” (“A Word to my Dear One”) in gold script. Paul Flato was the original jeweller to the stars, catering to the crème de la crème of Hollywood in the glamorous 1930s. This brooch was created for the well-known American socialite, Millicent Rogers, heiress to Standard Oil, who was a style icon of her time. It is as eye-catching today as it was when she wore it in Vogue in 1939.

Also formerly the property of Millicent Rogers is a ruby and amethyst starfish brooch designed by Juliette Moutard for René Boivin, Paris, 1939. After Rene Boivin’s death in 1917, his wife Jeanne Boivin ran the firm. Looking to the natural world for inspiration, Jeanne oversaw production of some of the most inspired jewellery of the 20th century. The starfish has become one of Boivin’s signature pieces.

Further highlights include an Art Deco Moghul emerald, sapphire and diamond pendant necklace by Cartier, Paris, 1925. Created in the year of the important Art Deco exposition in Paris, this is one of the most important examples of Cartier jewellery from the 1920s. Finally a rock crystal and diamond scroll brooch by Suzanne Belperron, c. 1935 is a fabulous example of her large, curvaceous jewels that eschewed the strict geometry of the Art Deco style. The descending curves of this brooch were inspired by her passion for the Far East.

Palais Royal Paris, Paris and Taipei, specializes in supplying fine jewellery and objects of vertu from Paris to discerning collectors in Taiwan. The gallery will present masterpieces from the 19th century to 1970, including top names such as Cartier, Chaumet, Boucheron and Tiffany, at Fine Art Asia 2012. Featured this year is a diamond and platinum lapel brooch watch by Cartier, Paris, c. 1925. Another stunning piece is a cabochon Burmese natural sapphire and 18K gold brooch necklace, the sapphire with a total weight of approximately 40 carats, by Cartier Paris, c. 1950.

Symbolic & Chase, London, deals in rare and unique objets d’art jewellery by the most famous designers including Boucheron, René Boivin, Bulgari, Cartier, Chaumet, Tiffany, Van Cleef & Arpels and David Webb. Highlights at Fine Art Asia 2012 include a French gem-set platinum brooch in the form of a macaw perched on a diamond-set swing from the late 1920s; and a yellow gold, sapphire and diamond "Médicis" bangle by Boucheron Paris, c. 1937. A fine collection of pieces by Cartier comprises ear clips, brooches, rings and a watch in natural pearls and diamonds. Of special interest is a gem-set and royal blue enamel compact, signed Cartier Paris Londres New York. c. 1925; and a spectacular gem-set and diamond Blackamoor brooch designed as a carved onyx female bust, signed Cartier Paris c. 1950. Also featured are exquisite pieces by René Boivin including a diamond starfish brooch, c. 1938; Seaman Schepps, Sterle and Suzanne Belperron.

Yewn, Hong Kong, celebrates the fineness and beauty of Chinese arts and culture in spectacular contemporary jewellery designs. Renowned sculptor and jewellery designer Dickson Yewn, who spent time in the art world in New York in the mid-1990s, explores the auspicious concepts that are central to Chinese philosophy while also echoing the unique aesthetics in many different forms of decorative arts in China. An example is his series of floral lattice bangles, including a wish-fulfilling peony bangle in diamonds, amethysts, tsavorites and yellow sapphires

Somlo Antiques, London, is the UK's leading specialist in antique pocket watches and vintage wristwatches. The gallery’s stock includes rare timepieces covering 400 years of horology, from early 16th century pre-balance spring watches, fine quality enamels, complicated repeaters and elegant Art Deco cocktail watches, to contemporary wrist watches by well-known leading watch houses. A highlight at Fine Art Asia 2012 will be an English quarter repeating watch made for the Turkish market, signed by the renowned watch and clock maker Edward Prior (c. 1800-1868) and made in 1814. The scalloped pair-case is intricately enamelled and decorated with pierced gold, floral designs.

Other leading jewellery exhibitors include Bogh-Art, Switzerland; and Kai-Yin Lo, Hong Kong.

Antique Silver

Koopman Rare Art, London, is one of the world’s foremost dealers in fine antique silver. The gallery has built up some of the most important private collections of silver and has worked closely with leading museums worldwide. A highlight at the fair will be a pair of silver gilt Directoire (1795- 1799) French soup tureens made by Martin-Guillaume Biennais (1764-1843). The tureens have all the qualities of the greatest French silver of the period including purity of line and sparse applied decoration contrasting with the beauty of the plain burnished surfaces. Biennais won the patronage of Napoleon and supplied the Imperial household with large quantities of silver of the highest quality. From the same designer is a silver gilt French dinner service, Paris 1809-1819.

Other stand-out pieces include a pair of exceptional silver gilt French three-light candelabra, Paris 1798-1809, with the maker’s mark of Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot, whose clients included Napoleon and his family, foreign noblemen, kings and aristocrats. Also featured is a pair of silver George II candelabra, the stems in the form of male and female satyrs, London 1744, with the crest of the 20th Earl of Kildare and the maker’s mark of George Wickes. Among Chinese pieces is a silver punch bowl, Shanghai c. 1890, maker’s mark of Luen Wo; and a gold Victorian presentation box, London 1844, celebrating the signing of the Treaty of Nanking, the cover chased with the British and the Chinese gathered round a table.

Also returning to Fine Art Asia 2012 are Esme Parish Silver, Singapore/Hong Kong; and The Silver Fund, New York/London.