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Antiquity has provided a standard by which all subsequent periods have tended to be judged. The Jenkins Venus was thought during the neoclassical period to be the embodiment of love and beauty, so fundamental to contemporary ideas of art appreciation.
Christie’s Education Hong Kong Short Course Spring 2012
Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, No. 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai
Event Date: 27 – 28 May 2012
Introduction to Fine Jewels and Exquisite Timepieces
While jewels and watches are universal in their appeal, worn by virtually all cultures throughout the world, fine jewels and timepieces, on the very top end of the spectrum, occupy a realm of their own. Fine jewels, regarded as objects of great beauty, signifiers of wealth and status, and stores of investment value, are composed of stones that represent true miracles of nature, with craftsmanship and design that rival the most sophisticated works of art. Exquisite watches and wristwatches, also attributed to the creative artistry of master goldsmiths and artisans, have captivated connoisseurs around the world and in recent times become coveted objects in the marketplace. How were these treasures created, and what is it that makes certain pieces more desirable than others? What should one look for when collecting fine jewels and timepieces, and how have the markets evolved recently? This beginner’s course will attempt to answer some of these questions, and introduce attendees to some of the most important pieces in fine jewelry and watches
Sunday, 27 Sunday 2012
- Introduction
- Scholarly Treasures: Collecting and Appreciating Jadeite
The use of jadeite started in China in the 18th century during the Qing dynasty, and the gemstone very quickly became the most highly prized material for Manchu aristocracy, including the Empress Dowager Cixi. Today, jadeite – found in colors such as green, lavender, yellow, and brown, is still very much coveted as the ultimate of luxuries in China. This session will cover the fascinating stories behind this gemstone and how it can be best appreciated. - Diamonds – From the Mine to the Finger
Prized for its brilliance and extreme hardness, the diamond has always been considered the most beautiful and precious of all creations. Perhaps no other gemstone has been lauded as much, in ancient folklore or modern-day advertising. This session will examine where diamonds come from, their quality, what makes them rare, why they are coveted, as well as the difference in composition between classic colorless diamonds and rare colored diamonds. - Colourful Treasures of Nature – Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald & Pearls
Of the many colored stones in the world, three stand above all others in pertinence, beauty, and value: ruby, sapphire, and emerald. Together with pearls, they represent some of the most treasured and desired materials known since antiquity. This session will explore myth and stories about these four precious gems and shed light on the sources which have produced some of the most sought-after specimens. It will also unveil the meticulous procedures to analyse such gems in a gemmological laboratory and explain how to evaluate their quality, rarity, and desirability.
Monday, 28 May 2012
- Gallery Tour
Please join Mei Giam, Specialist in Jewelry at Christie’s on a tour of our Spring 2012 highlights. Participants will have the opportunity to return to the galleries at a later time to handle desired pieces. - History of Jewels from Antiquity to 1900
Both following and setting fashion throughout history, jewels are not merely decorative ornaments, but also symbols of power for Royal families and aristocrats. This session examines their impact in and on Imperial Rome; its successor Byzantium/Constantinople in the 10th century; Queen Elizabeth I of England; the “Sun King” Louis XIV of France and the Russian Romanovs, among others. From brooches to parures, earrings to tiaras, the deployment of jewels enhanced worldly - and spiritual - authority. - Vintage Jewels: from 1900
Vintage jewels are treasured as not only as icons of style, but also as vestiges of bygone eras. Yet what makes certain pieces hold their values better than others? In this session, we will go over some of the greatest makers of signed jewelry, the history of these grande maisons, and also what to look out for when collecting vintage jewels. - Watches and Wristwatches: The Art of Buying and Collecting
We will discuss the various types of watches that we sell and what the market today is looking for. What collectors are buying and why. We will also discuss the various brands that we sell, pay attention to their histories and why they are important. We will also discuss recent highlights and why they achieved the prices that they did. We will advise on how to start collecting, how to go about finding the market price and what watches you should buy if you are thinking of starting a collection—really a 1 to 1 session on collecting watches and what we do at Christie's to become a watch specialist. We would also like to have a handling session with the participants after the lecture so that we can physically explain and illustrate certain details.
- The Investment Potential of Jewels
Throughout time, precious gemstones and jewels were not only worn for adornment but were viewed as symbols of wealth and power with the unique characteristic of being a tangible liquid asset. In recent years the confluence of limited supply, increased demand and a volatile global economy has attracted both collectors and investors who purchase jewelry not only to be worn but as a hedge against other investments and as a growth investment on its own. This lecture will explore the jewelry market over the last decade and look at it in the context of the global economy as a whole.
Contact Details
Tel: +852 2978 6747
email: hkcourse@christies.com
Fees
HK$8,500 or HK$7,500 early-bird discounted rate if payment received by 11 May 2012.
Please note that the same course will be offered in Mandarin Chinese on 25 – 26 May 2012.
