Artcurial puts on a glittering display in Monte Carlo

From a one-of-a-kind Harry Winston diamond and emerald necklace to a limited edition Hermès Kelly So Black bag – rare gems and accessories go under the hammer in a series of summer auctions

Whether summering on the Riviera or making a well-timed detour, magpies with an eye for finery should head to Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, where a series of Artcurial auctions – which will take place from July 17 to 20 – offer a striking array of luxury collectables, from fine watches and Hermès handbags to rare jewellery, stones and collectable pens.

2010 Hermès limited edition calfskin Kelly So Black bag, estimate €15,000 to €25,000 | Image: Sarah Andelman and Koto Bolofo for Artcurial

The first treasures to go under the hammer feature in the Collectable Watches auction (July 17), which includes a rare timepiece from Maison Blancpain – the celebrated Fifty Fathoms watch c1953-1955 (estimate €20,000 to €30,000). July 18, which is when the women’s watches sale Le Temps est Féminin II is held, is the date to circle if an exceptional Piaget 18ct yellow gold and turquoise-set necklace and pendant watch with lapis lazuli dial sets the heart racing (estimate €30,000 to 50,000).

Van Cleef & Arpels corsage brooch in yellow gold representing two wheat ears garnished with diamonds and rubies, estimate €1,400 to €1,600 | Image: Sarah Andelman and Koto Bolofo for Artcurial

c1974 Piaget automatic watch bracelet in yellow gold, estimate €2,000 to €3,000 | Image: Sarah Andelman and Koto Bolofo for Artcurial

Sarah Andelman, creative director and co-founder of the much-missed Colette boutique in Paris, has made the editorial selection for the catalogue. She has styled her favourite pieces, in collaboration with photographer Koto Bolofo, with refreshing and irreverent verve – including a showstopping, one-of-a-kind Harry Winston diamond and emerald necklace (estimate €800,000 to €1m) draped decadently among chopped mushrooms, and a Van Cleef & Arpels yellow gold brooch (estimate €1,400 to €1,600) of wheat ears embellished with diamonds and rubies that glitters amid a simple arrangement of redcurrants. Other rare gems to covet include the 1971 Van Cleef & Arpels yellow gold, enamel and chrysoprase tiger brooch (estimate €6,000 to €8,000) and a Piaget triple gold chain pendant (estimate €30,000 to €50,000) embellished with lapis lazuli .

Sarah Andelman made the editorial selection for the auction brochure and is pictured here with Koto Bolofo | Image: Sarah Andelman and Koto Bolofo for Artcurial

c1971 Van Cleef & Arpels 18ct yellow gold, diamond, chrysoprase and enamel clip, estimate €6,000 to €8,000

Cartier will be well represented at the auction and collectors will find an extremely rare 1927 brocade clutch (estimate €15,000 to €20,000) with a yellow gold, mother-of-pearl, enamel, lapis lazuli, carnelian diamond and malachite mount. Exceptional gemstones will also be on show, including emeralds, sapphires and diamonds of every colour, such as a 3.07ct fancy light bluish-green diamond ring (estimate €180,000 to €200,000) and a fabulous 6.12ct intense yellow diamond.

Cartier 18ct yellow gold, diamond, mother-of-pearl, lapis lazuli, malachite, carnelian and enamel bag, estimate €15,000 to €20,000

A rare okihirane-ji, raden and togidashi-maki-e fountain pen and mechanical pencil by Dunhill/Namiki, estimate €30,000 to €40,000

The bidding for the Hermès Summer Collection opens on the morning of July 20, which stars an incredibly covetable limited edition Hermès Kelly SO 2010 black bag (estimate €15,000 to €25,000). At 2.30pm, on the same afternoon, the Collectable Pens auction will begin and aficionados will have an opportunity to get their hands on an exceptionally rare Dunhill/Namiki fountain pen and mechanical pencil.