Jewels once owned by Emily “Paddy” Vanderbilt Wade—chemist, philanthropist, and great-granddaughter of American tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt—will be auctioned at Sotheby’s High Jewelry sale on June 13 in New York.
The four pieces from Wade’s estate offer a rare look into the history of one of America’s most prominent families. These items not only reflect great craftsmanship, but also speak to Wade’s refined taste and accomplished life.
Emily Wade was born into two powerful families. Her father, William Henry Vanderbilt III, was a former governor of Rhode Island and a member of the Vanderbilt dynasty. On her mother’s side, she was connected to the Wade family, known for their role in the success of Western Union.
In 1941, Emily broke new ground by joining the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as one of only seven women in a class of 728 students. She earned a degree in chemistry and later married fellow student Jeptha H. Wade III. The couple dedicated their lives to science education and environmental work. They co-founded the Museum Institute for Teaching Science and quietly supported cultural organizations.
Despite her academic and philanthropic work, Wade had a love for fine jewelry. Her collection reflected both elegance and intelligence.
Four pieces from her collection will be featured at the auction:
- A Cartier Art Deco bracelet, estimated at $60,000 to $80,000. It features a sleek diamond design from the 1930s.
- A Marcus & Co. sautoir, with a 9.6-carat cushion-cut ruby and diamonds. It could sell for up to $2 million.
- A René Lalique pendant, valued between $20,000 and $30,000. It showcases the fantasy style of the Art Nouveau era.
- A Tiffany & Co. tassel sautoir, expected to reach $60,000. Though unsigned, it is believed to be designed by Paulding Farnham around 1900.
The sale will also feature a second group of pieces titled Joie de Vivre: A Journey in Jewels. It includes 13 items that reflect a single marriage spanning six decades. Highlights include:
- A 35-carat D-color emerald-cut diamond ring by Graff, estimated between $2 million and $3 million.
- A pair of earclips with 84 carats of sugarloaf emeralds, which could reach over $1.5 million.
Additional standout items from the sale include:
- A 5.02-carat Fancy Pink diamond ring, valued between $1.5 million and $2 million.
- A 2.02-carat vivid blue diamond ring, expected to sell for $1.4 million to $1.8 million.
Collectors of art jewelry will also have something to admire. The auction includes five Art Nouveau jewels by René Lalique. The most notable is Le Vol de la Pierre, a corsage ornament. It depicts nude figures in molded glass trying to steal a gemstone while clothed figures recoil in shock. It is expected to sell for up to $50,000.
This Sotheby’s sale reminds buyers that fine jewelry is more than luxury. It tells stories—about the past, about the people who wore it, and about the future owners who will carry its legacy forward.
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