Leading the sale with a realized price of $198,400 was this 14.16-carat diamond in platinum ring with an adjustable shank ($100/200,000).
Review by Carly Timpson
DETROIT — Between October 9 and 11, DuMouchelles conducted three auctions comprising approximately 1,000 lots of jewelry, art, antiques and collectibles. On October 9, the 232-lot Fine Estate Jewelry auction, which featured property from the estate of Carol Minowitz of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., had a 97 percent sell-through rate. The Premier Selections auction, on October 10 featured 436 lots and had an 87 percent sell-through rate. The series closed with an Online Only Exclusives auction, selling 95 percent of the 334 lots offered on October 11.
According to Joe Lint, DuMouchelles technology and marketing manager, “The October 2024 auctions at DuMouchelles showcased a large collection of impressive jewelry from the estate of Carol Minowitz, a Bloomfield Hills resident. Minowitz’s collection reflects a legacy intertwined with the history of Jules R. Schubot Jewelers, the renowned Detroit jeweler founded by her cousin Sydell Schubot’s family.” Lint went on to provide some historical background, noting: “Jules Schubot began his career in the early 1900s, securing valuable connections while working at Detroit’s Bonstelle Theatre. His relationships with celebrities, facilitated by providing luxury jewelry and gifts, laid the foundation for his business, which officially opened in 1917. The store flourished under Jules and later his son Douglas, evolving into a high-profile jewelry salon known for catering to Detroit’s industrial leaders and international clientele.”
This round diamond and platinum double-strand necklace, totaling 33.09 carats, brought $49,600 ($50/70,000).
Of the top 10 highest-priced lots overall, six of those were from the Minowitz collection. Achieving the highest price across the three days was a 14.16-carat emerald-cut diamond ring, set in platinum on an adjustable shank. The large central stone was graded SI1 for clarity and J for color and was flanked by two tapered baguette diamonds. Originally purchased circa 1980-90 from Jules R. Schubot Jewelers in Troy, Mich., the ring was bid to $198,400, selling to a Canadian phone bidder who is a longstanding client with DuMouchelles.
A single diamond weighing 8.09 carats sold to a phone bidder in the Middle East for $124,000 ($60/80,000). The oval brilliant-cut diamond was cataloged as having “very good polish” and “good symmetry.” The included GIA report graded it SI1 for clarity and H for color.
A Canadian phone bidder won a custom cast platinum and diamond tennis bracelet for $58,900, just shy of its $60,000 low estimate. In total, the bracelet was made with 27 round brilliant cut diamonds, each weighing 1 carat and set in individual rounded boxes. The diamonds were graded VVS1-VVS2 for clarity and H-I for color. Custom-made by Jules R. Schubot Jewelers, Minowitz purchased the bracelet circa 1980-90 and it retained its original leather box.
Also custom-made for Minowitz by Jules R. Schubot Jewelers was a double-strand diamond necklace. According to the auction catalog, the necklace was “artfully created with two strands of graduated round cut diamonds, meticulously arranged to enhance the splendor of the central stone.” An American absentee bidder won the impressive necklace for $49,600.
With a total weight of 18.4 carats, this platinum and diamond waterfall brooch earned $18,600 ($20/40,000).
A platinum and diamond waterfall brooch made with 18.4 carats of marquis, baguette and round diamonds sold to an American absentee bidder for $18,600. The auction catalog’s condition notes mention that there was a 1989 appraisal mentioning that the piece is Cartier, though recent observations show those markings are no longer apparent. Still, DuMouchelles reported the quality as being consistent with the company’s work and attributed the loss to a replaced pin mechanism.
Minowitz’s collection was not just jewelry, it also comprised some luxury accessories as well. One such example was an 18K gold and diamond evening bag made by Gucci. Emblazoned on the gold crocodile skin case were 133 round diamonds in a zig-zag formation. Inside the bag, there was a mirrored top and velvet-lined base with a lipstick sleeve. A local and longstanding DuMouchelles customer won the bag, with its original Gucci storage bag for $38,900.
An extravagant Piaget watch from Minowitz’s collection was bid to $17,360, ultimately selling to a European phone bidder. The circa 1980 watch, made with 18K white gold, was encrusted with 34 round Oriental sapphires (1.2 carats total) and 30 marquise-cut diamonds (2.75 carats) circling its pave diamond dial. The watch showed no signs of damage or repairs and was sold with its original red leather Piaget box.
“Mathematical Glimpse” by Peter Max (American, 1937-2019), 1970, paint on canvas, 44 by 49¾ inches, realized $24,800 ($25/35,000).
Leading the Premier Selections auction on October 10 was Peter Max’s painting “Mathematical Glimpse.” In the artist’s characteristic bold style, this work was signed and dated “1970” to the upper right of the canvas. With provenance to a Southfield, Mich., private collector, the painting sold to a local online bidder who is a longstanding customer of DuMouchelles.
Exceeding its $6,000 high estimate to sell to an American phone bidder for $12,400 was a Persian serapi rug. The circa 1890-1900 hand-woven wool rug came from the Birmingham, Mich., estate of Alan E. Schwartz and showed some evidence of professional repairs throughout.
A circa 1956 terracotta or terre de faïence plate by Pablo Picasso made its way back to Europe after being won by an online bidder for $10,965. Etched onto the surface of the plate was the profile of a woman, giving the piece the title “Profil De Jacqueline (A.R. 308).” The limited edition plate (29 of 100) was dated in reverse on the front and marked “Madoura Plein Feu/Empreinte Originale de Picasso/ 29/100/A 100 Bis” on its underside. It had provenance to a prominent collector in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and was in good condition with no chips, cracks or repairs.
Prices quoted include the buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house. For information, www.dumoart.com or 313-963-6255.
