Singapore auction house Hotlotz is auctioning an eclectic, single-owner collection of fine jewels and watches
Singapore has never been a traditional auction hub. Collectors, seeking elusive treasures, often flock to the high-bidding worlds of New York, London and Geneva. After all, what treasures could citizens of a tiny (albeit rapidly modernised and globalised) city-state possibly have?
Think this way, however, and you’ll be missing the forest for the trees. The market may not be the largest here, but the country’s rapid accumulation of wealth in recent decades suggests there are precious antiques and beloved accoutrements waiting to be found. All that’s needed is for a discerning and meticulous appraiser to unearth them.
Hotlotz, a Singaporean auction house established in 2015, has done exactly that. Dubbed The Property of a Lady, Hotlotz’s latest auction—running from now till 29 September—is a curated and appraised, single-owner collection of fine watches and jewellery valued at an estimate of $700,000. Spanning over 230 lots, the collection is eclectic and diverse, featuring everything from vintage diamond-set brooches, precious stones, and Art Deco-style rings.
As the name suggests, the collection belonged to a lady who, judging by the pristine quality of many of the pieces, had rarely worn a majority of the collection. While the owner has chosen to remain anonymous, the unique and highly crafted collection speaks to a collector with an eye for the ornate and elegant.
The diamond orchid brooch, for example, is bedizened with a total of 20k, single cut, round brilliant cut, and baguette cut diamonds. The piece, with its intricate silhouette deftly contrasted by an array of resplendent diamonds, possesses a unique, old-world charm that befits the discerning bon vivant looking to make a statement at a ball.
If you’re a fan of precious gemstones, the collection also features a large, unheated royal blue sapphire that may catch your eye. Starting with an opening bid of $50,000 (and an estimated price of over $60,000), the 16k loose gem has a startling depth and lustre that captivate when hit by light.
Besides fine jewellery, you’ll also find a small but curated selection of timepieces that includes a 1960s Audemars Piguet watch adorned with a jade dial, and a vintage, 24mm octagonal Cartier Santos Ronde.
While bidding takes place digitally via Hotlotz’s website, those eager to see the stunning pieces up close can visit the auction house for viewing.
