Reclusive copper heiress' jewelry brings $21million at New York City auction

Signed pieces of Cartier and Tiffany jewelry belonging to a late Montana copper mining heiress have sold for nearly $21million at a New York City auction.
Christie's said Tuesday's sale from the estate of Huguette Clark had caught the attention of collectors worldwide.
The star of the collection, a rare pink cushion-cut 9-carat diamond ring, sold for nearly $16million.

Making a statement: An art deco diamond and multi-gem bracelet with animal motifs by Cartier, circa 1925, sold for $92,500 - over three times Christie's estimate

The auction house had estimated the collection of 17 pieces would bring between $9million to $12million.

 

But many of the pieces, including the stunning pink diamond, sold for double, and occasionally - in the case of a single-strand pearl and diamond necklace by Tiffany & Co - as much as eight times Christie's estimates.

Star of the show: A belle epoque cushion-cut vivid purplish pink 9-carat diamond ring by Dreicer & Co, circa 1910, sold for over $15.7million

Stunning: A pair of early 20th century emerald, natural pearl and diamond ear pendants by Cartier fetched $104,500

Classic: A single-strand pearl and diamond necklace by Tiffany & Co fetched $362,500 - over eight times Christie's estimate

Sparkler: This Cartier diamond ring, weighing approximately 19.86-carats, sold for over $3.1million

Patriotic: A diamond, ruby and sapphire American flag brooch by Cartier sold for $80,500

Clutch: An art deco jade, diamond and silk evening bag, circa 1925, sold for $13,750

Ornate: A nephrite, turquoise, onyx and enamel photo frame by Cartier, circa 1910, sold for $74,500

Chinoiserie: An art deco diamond and multi-gem Cartier clock, circa, 1925, sold for $164,000

Bejeweled: An art deco onyx, diamond and multi-gem photo frame by Cartier, circa 1910, fetched $74,500

Pieces from the art deco period dominated the lot, such as Ms Clark's collection of gold and diamond Cartier bracelets.

Photo frames by the luxury label, marked by onyx, turquoise and diamond accents, went to the highest bidders at $74,500 each - well above their $4,000 to $7,000 estimates.
The pieces give some insight into the life of one of America's most mysterious heiresses.

Ms Clark, who was 104 when she died last year at New York's Beth Israel Medical Center, was notoriously shy and reclusive during her years. 

Green-eyed: An art deco emerald and diamond bracelet by Cartier, circa 1925, sold for double its estimate, at $110,500

Girl's best friend: An art deco diamond bracelet by Cartier, circa 1925, sold for $578,500

Bricklinked: A retro rose and yellow gold bracelet by Cartier, circa 1940, sold for $25,000

Piece of history: A ruby, sapphire, emerald and gold bracelet by Tiffany & Co, circa 1915, sold for $200,000

A rose by any other name: This group of rose gold jewelry, including a linked bracelet and ear clips, sold for $4,375

Bold and beautiful: A diamond and gold chain link bracelet joined by a padlock charm by Cariter sold for double its estimated value at $20,000

Two of a kind: A necklace and bracelet en suite, designed as three twisted strands of yellow and rose gold beads, sold for $8,125

Her father was U.S. Senator William A Clark, once one of America's wealthiest businessmen, building a fortune from mining copper and railroads.

But his daughter - reputedly the nation's fourth richest woman - was the subject of much speculation and intrigue.
Aged 84, Huguette moved from her Fifth Avenue apartment in 1991 and spent the rest of her life in hospitals. In the 1990s the painting vanished from the apartment.
Her longtime physician had signed a statement describing his then-102-year-old patient as 'mentally and physically alert'.

Heiress: Huguette Clark, left, was the daughter of wealthy business man and former U.S. Senator William A Clark, centre right, pictured joining his daughter at the Easter Parade in New York on April 29, 1922