Mechanical movement, agate, mother-of-pearl dial with carved jade, ruby and diamond center panel, rose-cut diamond hands, white enamel, rose-cut diamonds, silver and 18k yellow gold (French marks), circa 1930, signed Cartier Paris, numbered

Size/Dimensions: 7.5 x 7.5 cm (3 x 3 in)
Gross Weight: 217.5 grams

~Please note that this lot is made from or contains material that may be either protected or regulated. This lot will be restricted to clients within the United States or to clients that collect the lot at Christie's New York. Please check the relevant customs laws before bidding on this lot and see Section G5 of Conditions of Sale for definitions of cataloguing symbols and further information. Please contact Christie’s Jewelry Department with any additional questions before bidding.

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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Lot Essay

Christie’s is proud to once again offer property from the Blair Family Collection (Lots 211 – 222).

The sophistication and elegance reflected in the Blairs’ renowned homes was also apparent in their taste in jewelry and jeweled objects. Their original collection was passed onto their son, Mr. Watson Keep Blair, who continued to appreciate the items and nourish the assemblage. In December 2016, Christie’s New York offered a selection of jewels from this collection which included unique commissions from noteworthy firms such as Buccellati, Cartier, René Boivin, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels.

The Blairs’ meticulous records provide further insight into the family’s collecting habits. Countless receipts from Cartier reveal the couple’s close relationship with the firm and frequency of their purchases. The inventory listings and past receipts help to also create a timeline of the family’s acquisitions. Diamond covered Art Deco jewels, carved precious stones and pearls were prudently obtained throughout the Blairs’ lives and travels.

The present group of objects and clocks include a variety of hardstones adorned by precious materials, many of which were designed by Cartier, Lacloche and Van Cleef & Arpels throughout the 1920s through the 1960s. Though many of the compacts and cases have deficiencies and signs of wear, the condition of this assemblage is reflective of how the Blair family lived with these objects. They did not simply acquire items to simply look at – but to use and enjoy throughout their lifetimes.

The Blairs were not just consumers but intelligent collectors. From jewelry and objects to home furnishings and art, they were tastemakers in their own right and Christie’s is honored to present property from their family collection once again.