The eagerly awaited jewellery auction at Il Ponte Casa d'Aste, Milan, will return on May 16 and 17. 

The auction includes some standout pieces formerly belonging to noble families from Venice, Milan, Bologna and Rome.

Among the antique jewels will be two pendants from the 17th and 18th centuries, that once belonged to an ancient Venetian family. The first lot (lot 1198), better known as the Lyte Jewel, stands out for the refined enamel craftsmanship, like its alter ego, in the Hungarian National Museum, Budapest. The other (lot 1152) is a large pendant in 24ct gold filigree that frames an exceptionally fine paper intaglio, realised with the "Canivet" carving technique, showing the Virgin supported by cherubs.

From a private collection in Milan come pieces with natural pearls (lot 1114), a Kashmir sapphire of ca. 8 carats (lot 1182) and antique jewels by M Buccellati, Cartier, Tiffany and La Cloche Frères, as well as more recent creations from Bulgari and Faraone.

Emeralds, set in luxurious colliers, earrings and brooches, are featured in a consignment from Bologna that also includes a demi-parure composed of collier and earrings, with a central bow that can be used as a brooch (lot 1185).

The Roman nobility contributes the most original items, including a splendid gala brooch in diamonds by Oscar Heyman (lot 1124) and a brooch by Sterlè (lot 1164) .

There are also diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, natural pearls and coral and collector’s gemstones, among which are a Paraiba tourmaline (lot 1184) with a crystalline colour and an alexandrite weighing 11.63 carats (lot 1132).