BONHAMS APPOINTS CLÉMENCE MÉRAT AS JEWELLERY SPECIALIST IN ROMA
Courtesy of Clémence Mérat and Bonhams
Paris – Bonhams has appointed Clémence Mérat as Senior Jewellery specialist with immediate effect (April 2025). She will be based in Roma (Italy). French born, Clémence graduated with a bachelor’s in art history from I.E.S.A. and holds a master’s degree from La Sorbonne University, Paris.
She moved to London, where she attended her final year of master's at L.S.E. (London School of Economics, London) and got her Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA (Gemological Institute of America, London) in 2011. She started her career in London, working for William & Son, a British Luxury Brand, as their Head of Jewellery, for 7 years and then launched her own brand, NYF Jewellery.
She relocated to Italy in 2021 working for Catawiki and overseeing the jewellery category as Category Lead New Jewellery.
Clémence was brought into the auction world for her deep-rooted expertise in jewellery, built over years of working across all facets of the industry. Her nuanced understanding of design, craftsmanship, gemstones, and market trends enables her to expertly assess pieces, evaluate provenance and value, and curate collections with a discerning eye. From advising on acquisitions and authenticating high-value items to crafting compelling narratives that connect jewellery to its history and future owner, Clémence brings both rigour and passion to the auction luxury market. Her ability to bridge the gap between heritage and commercial appeal makes her an invaluable asset in positioning jewellery for success at auction.
“Bonhams’ recent expansion has made it one of the most accessible auction houses in the world with strong local roots. The Bonhams global Jewellery team comprises a close-knit team of specialists renowned for their professionalism, expertise and delivering strong results. I am honoured to be joining one of the most entrepreneurial auction houses.”
“I am delighted to welcome Clémence at Bonhams. Her 15 years’ experience in jewellery product development, purchasing, valuation and appraisals gained in auction houses and luxury brands and gem dealing are a great asset for Bonhams. I look forward to working with her.”
About The Bonhams Network
Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.
Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in more than 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement.
In 2023, Bonhams achieved 14% growth with $1.14 billion in turnover. Recent important auctions and landmark single-owner collections, include the white glove sales of Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, Alain Delon: Sixty Years of Passion; Sir Roger Moore: The Personal Collection; Personal Property of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and The Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting. Other notable single-owner sales included The Estate of Barbara Walters: American Icon; The Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; The Crown Auction: Props and Costumes and The Claude de Marteau Collection.
Top lots for 2023 include 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta, Sold at Quail Lodge, US for US$30,255,000. Tipu Sultan’s Bedchamber Sword (sold in London for £14m – a world record for both an Islamic and an Indian object); Paul Signac (1863-1935), Sisteron, 1902. Sold for US$8,580,000 (estimate US$4-6 million), and Claude Monet (1840-1926), La Seine près de Giverny, 1888. Sold for US$6,352,500 (estimate US$4-6m), both from the Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; A Gilt Copper Alloy figure of Virupaksha, Central Tibet, Densatil Monastery, Early 15th century. Sold for HK$37.9m (£4,060,326) in Hong Kong. Yoshitomo Nara (born 1959) Three Stars. Sold for HK$36,754,000 (£3,930,914), also in Hong Kong.
For more information about these auctions and others featured By Bonhams, please visit their site. Bonhams can also be found on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, and Pinterest.
