$82,250
Art Deco Platinum, Yellow Diamond and Diamond Solitaire, prong-set with a square Asscher-cut diamond weighing 3. 35 cts., framed by diamond melee, shoulders with diamond foliate motifs, pierce work mount, size 6 1/2. Note: Accompanied by GIA certificate no. dated stating that the diamond is natural fancy intense yellow, VVS2 clarity. Provenance: Descended in the family of Wilson Perkins Foss (1856-1930) of New York; originally a gift to his daughter Elizabeth de Baun Foss, whose portrait appears opposite. Foss was an industrialist and entrepreneur involved in infrastructure development in New York State in the late 19the/early 20th centuries. As a young man working in the reconstruction of Boston after the fire of 1872, Foss had become interested in building materials and explosives, which led him to study chemistry at MIT. Foss founded a company to provide nitroglycerine used to blast tunnels for various New York and Pennsylvania lines. After a buy-out by DuPont, Foss founded The New York Trap Rock Corporation which produced stone used in road construction projects. An avid collector of objets d'art and giver of lavish gifts, Foss is remembered fondly for his personal courage and generous spirit.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2007-03-13
