When collectors hear “Faberge Egg,” they think of the pinnacle of craftsmanship, rarity, and royal provenance. These objets d’art (objects of art) created for the Russian Tsars are legendary. But the spirit of Faberge—of creating precious, intricate, and dazzling objects—is alive and well among modern high-jewelry houses.
These modern masterpieces are not just beautiful; they are significant, collectible assets with substantial value. Here’s a look at the modern-day Faberges and their value as collateral.
1. Van Cleef & Arpels: Poetic Complications
Van Cleef & Arpels may be most famous for its “Alhambra” necklaces, but its true high-jewelry pieces are storytelling marvels. The “Poetic Complications” line of watches and “Automates” are breathtaking.
- The Object: An “Automate,” like the “Fée Ondine,” is a clockwork sculpture that comes to life, with a water lily that blooms and a fairy that awakens.
- Why it has value: These pieces take thousands of hours to create, combining watchmaking, marquetry, and gem-setting. They are produced in extremely limited numbers and are sought by top-tier collectors.
2. Cartier: High-Jewelry Objects
Cartier has always been a master of “precious objects” beyond jewelry. Their modern high-jewelry sculptures, clocks, and boxes are direct descendants of the opulent items they created in the 1920s.
- The Object: A high-jewelry panther sculpture, carved from rock crystal, set with emerald eyes, and draped in diamonds and onyx.
- Why it has value: It carries the “Cartier” signature, one of the most powerful names in luxury. The combination of rare gems and iconic design makes it a blue-chip collectible.
3. JAR (Joel A. Rosenthal)
Perhaps the most mysterious and sought-after jeweler alive, the Paris-based Joel A. Rosenthal is the closest thing we have to a modern-day Faberge. His one-of-a-kind, nature-inspired pieces are traded like masterpieces of art.
- The Object: A pair of “Geranium” earrings, so perfectly crafted with pavé gems that they look like real petals.
- Why it has value: Extreme scarcity (he produces very few pieces a year) and unparalleled artistry. His creations regularly shatter auction estimates, and their value only appreciates.
Loaning Against Objets d’Art
Valuing these items is a highly specialized skill. It goes far beyond the simple weight of the gold or the carats of the diamonds. An expert appraiser must understand the artist, the brand, the rarity, and the provenance.
When you own a modern objet d’Art, you own a true treasure. At a private collateral lender, we have the expertise to recognize its true significance and provide a loan commensurate with its unique value.
