+ Expand

Notes: Raymond C. Yard's rabbit waiter brooches have continued to delight and attract international collectors ever since their first appearance in the 1920s. The charming rabbit waiter, dressed in diamonds, rubies, emeralds or sapphires and enamels, offering a tray of cocktails or a bottle of champagne, appealed to Yard's impressive "high society" clientele, including members of the Dupont, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt and Woolworth families as well as film stars Joan Crawford and Douglas Fairbanks.

The detailed composition coupled with an elaborate and impeccable execution is incomparable and the appearance of Yard rabbit brooches at auction is rare. On 12 April of this year, Christie's New York sold a fabulous pavé-set diamond rabbit waiter with calibré-cut ruby pants, carrying a tray of champagne glasses and an ice bucket, for an extraordinary $86,400. As shown by this strong price, these amusing brooches are highly sought after by collectors and will continue to command excellent results.

Cf. Suzanne Tennenbaum and Janet Zapata, The Jeweled Menagerie: The World of Animals in Gems, Thames and Hudson, Inc., New York, 2001, page 117
Penny Proddow and Marion Fasel, Bejeweled: Great Designers, Celebrity Style, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, 2001, page 70