24K GOLD SLOT MACHINE AND GEM SET MONOPOLY BOARD HIGHLIGHTS OF SENSATIONAL SINGLE-OWNER SALE AT BONHAMS LOS ANGELES

Los Angeles – Bonhams will host a significant single-owner-online sale from June 9 – June 20 featuring a selection of property from the estate of esteemed American artist, jeweler and philanthropist Sidney Mobell (1926-2022).

Owner of Sidney Mobell jewelry with two boutiques in San Francisco located in the Fairmont Hotel and within the prestigious Shreve & Co. Jewelers in San Francisco. A firm favorite among both the San Francisco social set and Hollywood glitterati, clients included Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Danielle Steel, Senator Dianne Feinstein, San Francisco Chief of Protocol Charlotte Shultz, Governor Gavin Newsom. With his Midas touch, Mobell transformed the ordinary, everyday items into the extraordinary, creating works of art using gemstones and precious metals. One of his first jeweled creations was a gold replica Mickey Mouse watch, which led to a commission from the Disney family. From then on, he released a gem-studded object every year. With an exceptional imagination, his works include a gold and gemstone-studded toilet, a gumball machine, a gold mousetrap, and a gold Monopoly set which was awarded a Guinness Book of World Records for the world's most expensive Monopoly game in 1998. The Bonhams 60-lot single-owner online sale will include personal items from Mobell's estate including many of his cult items and fine jewelry.

Leading the sale is a 24K Gold, Gold-Plated, Gem-Set and Diamond Slot Machine, circa 1981. Redecorated from a 1925 Art Deco slot machine and set throughout with multiple sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds. The piece of art is accompanied by gold-plated American Liberty Head coins and is offered with an estimate of US$20,000-30,000.

Another exceptional lot is a Sidney Mobell 23K gold plated and gem-set Monopoly game. The game includes the board, dice, tokens, cards, hotels, houses, dice cup and play money printed in metallic paper. Offered with an estimate of US$3,000-5,000.

Emily Waterfall, Bonhams Director of Jewelry Department, Los Angeles commented: "We are honored to offer such a significant collection of work from esteemed jeweler Sidney Mobell within our Bonhams single-owner Los Angeles sale. The collection is not only playful, with jewel encrusted everyday objects, it also encompasses some fine jewelry much of which belonged to Mobell's wife, Ronni Grant Mobell. The collection heading to auction sums up Mobell who was readily quoted saying 'if he was going to be in business, then he would have to do something different than all the other jewelers.' This was something he achieved with his imagination and craftsmanship creating show-stopping items, and it is unsurprising that several of his works are housed in the Smithsonian."

Other highlights include:

• A 14K bi-color gold mousetrap, circa 1975. The design features moving parts and a white gold cheese wedge set with 60 round diamonds, weighing 1.50 carats. Offered with an estimate of US$5,000-7,000.

• A Sidney Mobell 24K gold plated, gem-set and diamond gumball machine, circa 1984. Adorned with diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and amethysts. Offered with an estimate of US$3,000-5,000.

Left: A 14K bi-color gold mousetrap, estimate of US$5,000-7,000, Right: A Sidney Mobell 24K gold plated, gem-set and diamond gumball machine, estimate of US$3,000-5,000.

Notable jewelry lots include:

• A platinum and diamond ring with a central cut cornered rectangular step-cut diamond, weighing 1.97 carats surrounded by 26 tapered baguette diamonds. The ring is offered with an estimate of US$7,000-10,000.

• A Sidney Mobell 18K gold and diamond hourglass necklace with single-cut diamonds, weighing 1.00 carats, that sift through the glass. The design was inspired by watching his wife use the kitchen timer to cook eggs, the pendant went on to become one of his trademark necklaces loved by his celebrity clientele. Offered with an estimate of US$1,000-1,500.

• A Sidney Mobell 18K bi-colored gold and round diamond loupe, set with round diamonds weighing 4.35 carats with a x10 magnification ability. Offered with an estimate of US$2,000-2,500.