Adam's FINE JEWELLERY & WATCHES 16 May 2023

T uesday 16 th M ay 2023 . S tarting at 4 pm 116 177 A DIAMOND DRESS RING, BY NIGEL O’REILLY The central rose-cut diamond weighing 3.28cts within a multiple-claw setting, the mount pavé-set throughout with brilliant-cut diamonds, mounted in 18K gold, with maker’s mark ‘NOR’ for Nigel O’Reilly, with maker’s case, ring size L¾ € 8,000 - 12,000 Please note that the centre stone was weighed loose. “FOR ME, WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, IT WAS ALWAYS ‘WHAT’S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN?’” O’REILLY SAID. “YOUR IMAGINATION STARTS TO PLAY, SO I WANTED TO TRY AND RECREATE THAT WITH MY PIECES… IT’S AL- MOST LIKE THERE’S AWORLD INSIDE OF AWORLD.” FASHION 360 MAGAZINE, 2021 Nigel O’Reilly is unarguably the most admired contem- porary Irish jeweller working today. O’Reilly, who lives and works in Castlebar Co. Mayo, has been called “the darling of modern haute joaillerie” and has been included in important exhibitions in Los Angeles and in Bergdorf Goodman in New York. O’Reilly began his career as an engineer making vascular tools. He took this experience of working to a dimension of 0.001mm with no room for errors and translated it to the world of fine jewellery, focusing on themes of nature, molec- ular science, and the merging of technology, art, and fashion. O’Reilly had an unconventional entry into jewellery-making, creating a ring for a woman he was trying to impress using the medical-grade materials he had access to. This unusual begin- ning sparked a love for jewellery design (and was successful in romancing the woman, artist Tracy Sweeney, who is now married to O’Reilly). This romantic story bodes well for any couple purchasing an engagement ring by O’Reilly. Most interesting for O’Reilly is his acceptance, at quite a young age, into the cachet of noted master jewellers. O’Reilly has been showcased in a Sotheby’s Important Jewels auction making him the first Irish designer to be included in a New York auction, and after triumphant results was added to Sothe- by’s Haute-Joaillerie Collection. At the heart of O’Reilly’s work is a fascination with gems and technological advancement. Having studied under the re- nowned lapidarist Erwin Springbrunn, O’Reilly developed a great appreciation for the cut, colour, and careful design of fine gems. This jewellery is not just beautiful however, there is a clear focus on wearability too. Saoirse Ronan, Julianne Moore, Maya Hawke and Grace Kelly’s granddaughter are all customers of O’Reilly, who works mainly on an individual commission basis. Rural Ireland, and specifically the West, is important to O’Reilly. He has ensured his Mayo studio is one of the best equipped in Europe, asserting that his space rivals any in Lon- don, New York, or Paris. Commissioning pieces is therefore an experience or pilgrimage, requiring the customer to expe- rience the land and atmosphere which motivates O’Reilly, and which is so present in his work.