Auction Bling

I just came across a slide show from the New York Times Online featuring jewelry and jewels that have recently sold at auction.  Basically, it's a gratuitous menagerie of baubles.  Surprisingly, many of the items were auctioned off at three to for times their anticipated value.  

My favorite item in the slide show is this Cartier art-deco travel clock made of deep green jade.  The face and handle are gold highlighted with black enamel.  I'd probably stop hitting the snooze button for an hour straight, if I was being woken up by a $14,000 clock!