Ann Reinking Jewelry Bonhams Dec 6

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For immediate release
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November 2021

AN IMPORTANT SAPPHIRE AND JEWELS FROM THE ESTATE OF ANN REINKING STAR IN BONHAMS NEW YORK JEWELS SALE

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An Important Sapphire and Diamond Ring, Bulgari, Estimate: $500,000–800,000
Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Ring, Estimate: $275,000–375,000

An important Ceylon Sapphire and Diamond Ring by Bulgari will lead the Bonhams New York Jewels sale on Monday, December 6. The certified unheated Ceylon sapphire, weighing 48.38 carats, and set with diamond shoulders is estimated at $500,000–800,000. A Superb Diamond Ring centering a 12.40-carat round brilliant-cut diamond is estimated at $250,000-450,000. And a Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Ring set with a 5.39-carat certified unheated sapphire in a frame of diamonds is estimated at $275,000-375,000.

Bonhams New York Head of Jewels Caroline Morrissey commented: “Sapphires are one of the most highly sought-after stones on the market, and once again Bonhams is pleased to present an exceptional stone. This 48-carat example has wonderful proportions and amazing large vertical facets. The emerald cut brings out the beautiful soft blue color and the Bulgari setting is elegant and fabulous. It is everything you want in an important stone.”

Bonhams New York has a strong track record with sapphires: a Superb Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Brooch, circa 1910, with the sapphire weighing 17.21 carats, sold in the December 7, 2020, New York Jewels sale, surpassing its estimate of $500,000–$800,000 to sell for $1,110,312. Additionally, an unmounted Kashmir Sapphire of 9.23 carats in the July 28, 2020, New York Jewels sale achieved $1,244,075 against an initial estimate of $475,000–$775,000.

THE ESTATE OF CHOREOGRAPHER ANN REINKING

Ann Reinking wearing a Sapphire and Diamond Necklace at the Oscars and a Diamond Necklace, Convertible to Bracelets, Hammerman Brothers, on the Red Carpet

Graceful and exuberant, the dancing of Ann Reinking (1949-2020) seemed effortlessly cool. One of Broadway’s brightest stars, a Tony Award winning choreographer, as well as a dancer, singer, and actress, Reinking had a career that played out like the plotline of a musical, starting when as a young ingenue she stepped into the role of Roxie Hart in Bob Fosse’s Chicago. Reinking was, at the time, Fosse’s muse, protegee, and romantic partner, and she replaced Gwen Verdon, his wife, in the Broadway role. Two decades after her first turn, she returned to Chicago for the 1996 revival as Roxie Hart, but also as the choreographer. She put a modern spin on Fosse’s work, and her choreography won her a Tony award. The production is still active and is one of the longest running Broadway shows.

With her piercing blue eyes, long sleek hair, and signature husky voice, Reinking made her film debut playing a thinly veiled version of herself in Fosse’s semi-autobiographical movie All that Jazz (1979). She was remarkable in the role of Grace Farrell in Annie (1983). As Oliver Warbucks’s secretary who instigates the adoption, she dances across the screen in diaphanous gowns, her moves pure exuberance and romance that steals every scene.

As she started to appear on the red carpet at awards shows in the late 1970s and 1980s, Reinking began incorporating jewelry into her glamourous looks, including many of the pieces here. When presenting at the 1983 Academy Awards, she wore a pair of Tiffany sapphire and diamond earrings and a sapphire and diamond necklace. She favored diamonds and sapphires, also wearing her Tiffany sapphire and diamond ring in publicity photos. An impressive double-row diamond necklace by Hammerman Brothers was a red-carpet showstopper. The Cartier ruby and diamond necklace would easily have been the perfect premiere jewel. Her pieces are also imminently wearable, she wore a gold opal necklace to the premier of Micki & Maude the 1984 movie she starred in with Dudley Moore.

Bonhams New York Head of Jewels Caroline Morrissey commented: “This is a rare opportunity to own jewelry owned and worn by the unparalleled Ann Reinking, the Tony Award winning choreographer and Broadway star. Her pieces have the same grace and beauty and iconic style that she was known for in her dancing.”

A Diamond Necklace, Convertible to Bracelets, Hammerman Brothers, Estimate: $75,000–125,000
A Ruby and Diamond Necklace, Cartier, Ann Reinking, Estimate: $20,000–30,000

-ENDS-

Sale: New York Jewels

Location: New York
Date: Dec 6, 2021

Enquiries

For further information, email Sarah Davis at On Jewelry Consulting, sarahelizabethdavis@mac.com and press@bonhams.com