334 lots in live streaming: antique jewellery, featuring natural pearls and precious items from the most prestigious maisons, with Bulgari leading the way. In the luxury goods sector, highly coveted Hermès bags — Birkin and Kelly — as well as Chanel’s iconic Timeless models.
On Monday, May 27, Faraone Casa d’Aste returns with a not-to-be-missed event for collectors, enthusiasts, and beyond. A total of 334 lots will go under the hammer across three sessions — one in the morning and two in the afternoon — broadcast live online, showcasing jewellery, luxury goods, silverware, and timepieces carefully curated to combine intrinsic value with contemporary desirability. In an economically volatile environment marked by uncertainty, luxury assets continue to prove to be an excellent safe haven. More and more individuals are choosing to invest in prestigious objects that not only retain but also increase their value over time. Beyond investment and collecting, there is a growing appreciation among buyers seeking iconic, vintage pieces crafted by the world’s most prestigious maisons. Hermès bags such as the Birkin and Kelly, for instance, are currently considered among the safest investments, outperforming both the S&P 500 index and gold with an average annual return of 14%, without major fluctuations. Approximately 25% of buyers now consider these bags to be part of their asset portfolio. Gold too remains a strong asset, with its value showing an unstoppable rise on the stock market, recently forecast by JP Morgan to surpass $4,000 per ounce within the next year amid ongoing geopolitical instability. In this context, Faraone Casa d’Aste presents a selection distinguished by its breadth, quality, and perfect alignment with current trends.
Antique Jewels: Ever More Sought After
The auction will feature a particularly rich selection of antique jewelry from the late 19th to early 20th century, increasingly appreciated not just by collectors. The past continues to cast a nostalgic allure; while recent trends have drawn inspiration from a few decades ago, there is now a deeper dive into more distant historical eras. Notably, the line-up includes four masterpieces once owned by Dora VonWiller, a Swiss noblewoman from the early 20th century, renowned for her elegance and cultural patronage. These pieces are a precious testament to the fine craftsmanship of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, perfectly in tune with the aristocratic nostalgia currently celebrated by the cultural and fashion phenomenon known as Castlecore. Dora VonWiller’s collection, composed of unique, refined pieces including rings, necklaces, and earrings crafted from the finest materials, was not just a display of wealth but also an expression of her personality and passions. From this collection, exhibited at the “20th Century Italian Jewelry” exhibition at Milan’s Poldi Pezzoli Museum and curated by jewelry historian Melissa Gabardi, Faraone Casa d’Aste will auction the Settepassi collar and a Mario Buccellati necklace, both praised for their craftsmanship and featured in the exhibition’s official catalogue. Completing the antique jewelry selection is a late 19th-century brooch in rose gold and silver, featuring an oval ruby of approximately 7.35 ct and round diamonds totaling around 13 ct.
Pearls: A Must at Faraone Casa d’Aste
Among the undisputed stars of the auction is a selection of lots featuring pearls, which have seen a strong revival in recent years — as confirmed by the Spring/Summer 2025 fashion runways — and remain evergreen classics in the world of collecting. Following the exceptional result at the November 27 auction — where a pair of natural pearl and diamond earrings sold for €125,000 against an initial estimate of €5,000 — Faraone Casa d’Aste has become a true reference point for pearl jewelry. This auction includes a new, standout selection: a platinum ring with a white natural saltwater pearl (approx. 11 mm) flanked by two baguette-cut diamonds; a pair of yellow gold and silver earrings with natural white pearls and old-cut diamonds totaling approx. 5.50 ct; and a pair of pendant earrings in white gold, adorned with old-cut diamonds totaling 2.10 ct and two drop-shaped natural saltwater pearls (approx. 19 mm each). Also featured is a yellow gold and silver ring with a white natural saltwater pearl (approx. 10 mm) surrounded by huit-huit diamonds. Following the pearl lots are two striking rings in white gold: one set with a 6.18 ct Burmese ruby surrounded by approx. 2.15 ct of diamonds, and the other with a 16.88 ct cushion-cut Ceylon sapphire surrounded by approx. 8.70 ct of diamonds.
Bulgari Leads, with Cartier, Buccellati, Pomellato, and Vhernier
While market demand for vintage jewelry — driven by the search for rare pieces — is constantly growing, about a third of buyers are looking for iconic, “safe choice” jewelry signed by the most prestigious maisons, particularly Bulgari and Cartier. In addition to antique jewelry and pearls, the auction offers a precious selection of signed Bulgari pieces — long considered the epitome of Italian style and a safe investment. Highlights include a Boule collection necklace with matching bangle, a Bulgari Bulgari double-chain gold necklace with onyx spacers, and a Celtaura necklace adorned with peridots, tourmalines, quartz, topazes, and white cultured pearls. Also featured are jewels signed by Cartier, Buccellati, Vhernier, Tiffany, and rare vintage pieces such as a 1980s Pomellato modular necklace in yellow and white gold with garnets and diamonds: iconic and highly sought-after creations blending luxury with identity. Among the standout lots is a demi-parure composed of a ribbon-style necklace and matching drop earrings, set with approx. 17.30 ct of diamonds and 26.90 ct of rubies.
Hermès Bags, but Also Plenty of Chanel, Gucci, and Bottega Veneta
The auction also dedicates significant space to luxury goods, with the morning session entirely focused on high-end bags and accessories. Taking center stage are the Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags — true financial assets that, in some cases, have outperformed the stock market. Noteworthy lots include a vibrant Birkin 35 Verso special order crafted in Togo leather in Vert Anis and Ultra Violet, complete with full set and palladium hardware; a 1992 Kelly 32 in Noir Niloticus crocodile with gold hardware; a 1996 Kelly 28 in Braise Porosus crocodile with gold hardware; and a brand-new Kelly Retourné 28 in Gris Misty Togo leather with palladium hardware. Completing the Hermès selection is a Constance III Mini in Rose Extreme Epsom leather, featuring a closure in Rose Pourpre crocodile and Ombre lizard, also offered as a full set with palladium hardware. Alongside these pieces are numerous Chanel models, including two Timeless bags — one in light blue python and the other in black quilted lambskin from the 1980s/90s — both full set, as well as an East West bag in metallic bronze patent leather. The offering also includes bags by Gucci and Bottega Veneta, along with elegant tableware, such as silverware sets by Cesa and Codevilla, and a cutlery set by Buccellati.
Rolex, Breguet, and Cartier Watches
As always, Faraone’s auction dedicates a section to fine watches, led by a 1970s Bulgari Tubogas in yellow gold and burnished steel with a manual-wind Jaeger-LeCoultre movement. Also featured is a 1968 Rolex Day-Date ref. 1803 in 18Kt yellow gold, a 1990s Cartier Montres Pasha ref. 1023 in 18Kt yellow gold with a lapis lazuli dial and leather strap, and a Breguet Marine ref. 3401BA with yellow gold case, leather strap, and diamond-set bezel. A truly extraordinary opportunity to invest in beauty — in precious objects that stand the test of time and fashion, increasing in value over the long term. The May 27 auction is designed not only for expert collectors but also for newcomers seeking — with full confidence — unique pieces that combine beauty, identity, and financial potential.
