Our Expertise

Introduction

For David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti jewels are so much more than just precious ornaments. They are also about passion and they hold a deep fascination which had endured over 40 years in their work.

David and Daniela

David Bennett

David Bennett

Regarded internationally as a leading authority in the field of precious stones and jewellery, David Bennett is best known for his role as Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby's Jewellery Division, a post he held until 2020, after a brilliant 42 year career at Sotheby’s. During his prestigious career David sold three of the five most expensive jewels in auction history and as well as seven 100-carat diamonds – earning him the nickname the ‘100-carat man’.

David has also presided over many legendary, record-breaking auctions such as the Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor (1987), The Princely Collections of Thurn und Taxis (1992) and Royal Jewels from the Bourbon-Parma Family (2018)...

Daniela Mascetti

Daniela Mascetti

Daniela Mascetti is one of the jewellery world's most experienced scholars specialising in the history of jewellery. Daniela joined Sotheby’s in 1980, and soon after opened the firm’s Jewellery department in Milan. After a distinguished career of 40 years at Sotheby’s, she was appointed Chairman Jewellery, Europe, a position she retained until 2020.

As one of the most renowned and experienced of scholars specialising in the history of jewellery, highlights from Daniela's distinguished career include research for the sales of historic collections such as the Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor (1987), The Princely Collections of Thurn und Taxis (1992), Elton John, Maria Callas and Gina Lollobrigida...

Our Publications

*OUT NOW IN CHINESE* Understanding Jewellery

David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti

First edition: | Publisher: China Light Industry Press

Since its publication over 30 years ago, Understanding Jewellery has become the standard work of reference in the field, and an indispensable tool for collectors, dealers and students alike. From the methods used to identify and date pieces, to the factors that can affect their value, Understanding Jewellery contains an abundance of expertise relating to precious stones and metals.

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Our Publications

Understanding Jewellery The 20th Century

David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti

First edition: 24th November 2021 | Publisher: ACC Art Books

In this new work, David and Daniela have taken the concept of Understanding Jewellery a stage further with their focus on the 20th century. Each decade is explored in detail through the study of the key players, trends and movements.

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Our Publications

Understanding Jewellery

David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti

First edition: 1989 | Publisher: ACC Art Books

Since its publication over 30 years ago, Understanding Jewellery has become the standard work of reference in the field, and an indispensable tool for collectors, dealers and students alike. From the methods used to identify and date pieces, to the factors that can affect their value, Understanding Jewellery contains an abundance of expertise relating to precious stones and metals.

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Our Publications

Celebrating Jewellery: Exceptional Jewels of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti

First edition: 2012 | Publisher: ACC Art Books

Success, wealth and privilege have many ways of manifesting themselves, not least through the purchase and display of beautiful jewels. Some of the greatest and most iconic pieces from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries are included here and every example is synonymous with style and luxury, from the formal tiaras, suites and ornaments of the Victorians through to the innovations of Belle Époque and Revivalism, the geometric and linear designs of the Art Deco movement, and the bold, colourful jewels of the late twentieth century.

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Our Publications

The Necklace: from Antiquity to the Present

Daniela Mascetti and Amanda Triossi

First edition: 1997 | Publisher: Thames & Hudson

The necklace has been a source or personal adornment throughout history, and this work features reproductions of notable paintings, sculpture, and photographs illustrating this fact. Primarily focusing on the necklace in the 19th and 20th centuries, important finds and research from the ancient world to the present, noting the various roles of adornment in fashion and culture, are also included.

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Our Publications

Bulgari

Daniela Mascetti and Amanda Triossi

First edition: 1996 | Publisher: Thames & Hudson

A lavishly illustrated survey of Italy's greatest jeweller tracing the development of the Bulgari style, a distinctive look that has captivated royalty, movie stars, and many others for over a century.

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Our Publications

Earrings: from Antiquity to the Present

Daniela Mascetti and Amanda Triossi

First edition: 1990 | Publisher: Thames & Hudson

This work presents the history of earrings from pre-history to modern times. The fashion of wearing precious earrings spread spread through the Mediterranean region from Ancient Egypt to Mycenae, to the Classical Greek, Roman and Hellenistic worlds, to Byzantium. In the 18th century the techniques of cutting coloured gemstones and diamonds were perfected, and so the design of earrings evolved towards its most stylish and glamorous.

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