Lempertz Auction Exceeds Estimates by €1.2M, Led by Belle Époque Necklace at €95,000
On June 24, 2026, Lempertz announced results from its jewellery and watches auction held on May 19, 2026, with total proceeds surpassing estimates by €1.2 million. The top lot was a Belle Époque rivière necklace set with old-cut diamonds of approximately 42 carats, which sold for €95,000 after a competitive bidding battle. A Parisian Art Nouveau gold enamel jewel by Marcel Bing, the catalogue cover piece, achieved €31,750 from an international buyer outside Europe. Other highlights included a modern diamond rosette clip that tripled its estimate to €27,900, and a Patek Philippe Ellipse D’Or Jumbo wristwatch that sold for three times its estimate at €33,000. The auction also featured four Hermès handbags for the first time, all selling above estimate, with a 1962 Kelly Bag in black lizard leather fetching around €28,000.
The Signal
The strong demand across periods—from Art Nouveau to modern diamond pieces—signals sustained collector appetite for historical jewellery, particularly pieces with provenance or rare craftsmanship. The sale of Marcel Bing's jewel to a non-European buyer underscores the global reach of European decorative arts. The inclusion of Hermès handbags, a new category for Lempertz, reflects a broader market trend where luxury accessories perform alongside fine jewellery and watches. For collectors, the premium on pieces with distinctive design stories—such as the Belle Époque rivière or the Skoluda convertible necklace with Roman intaglios—reinforces the value of uniqueness and historical resonance over mere gem weight.
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- Artists: Marcel Bing, Wolfgang Skoluda
- People: Jan Bykowski
- Auction Houses: Lempertz
- Locations: Cologne
- Prices: 31,750 euros, 95,000 euros, 20,000 euros, 19,000 euros, 27,900 euros, 33,000 euros, 25,400 euros, 28,000 euros
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