The Golden Hare That Captivated the World Comes to Auction Today at Sotheby’s London

Shohista Turdiyeva
1 day ago
2 min read

London, 28 November 2025 – Today marks a milestone in literary history, jewellery craftsmanship, and British cultural memory as Sotheby’s London brings to auction the legendary Masquerade Hare, a unique golden treasure that ignited an international sensation in the early 1980s.

Offered as Lot 32 in the Fine Jewels Sale closing today, the Masquerade Hare appears at public auction for the first time in nearly four decades, with an estimate of £15,000–£20,000. For collectors, historians and fans of Kit Williams’ groundbreaking book Masquerade, the opportunity is nothing less than extraordinary.

A Jewel That Inspired a Nation

Created in 1978 by British painter and author Kit Williams, the 18-carat gold pendant became the heart of a cultural phenomenon. Williams crafted the intricate necklace — featuring a ruby eye, turquoise-set flower motifs, tinkling bells, miniature animal figures, and a sun mask cameo — as the literal treasure concealed within his now-iconic book Masquerade.

Upon the book’s publication in 1979, readers quickly became detectives. Williams buried the jewel in a wax-sealed terracotta casket beneath a monument in Bedfordshire, challenging readers to decipher hidden riddles within his 16 elaborate oil paintings to discover its location. The hunt consumed Britain, dominating conversation and capturing imaginations worldwide. Over two million copies were sold, thousands joined the chase, and Williams received more than 100 letters a day from would-be treasure hunters.

The golden hare was finally unearthed in February 1982 and later sold at Sotheby’s in 1988 — disappearing from public view until its dramatic return today.

A Sale Rich in Masterpieces

Sotheby’s annual Fine Jewels auction is known for curating exceptional antique, vintage and contemporary pieces. This year’s sale is distinguished by an abundance of signed creations from Bulgari, Boucheron, Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels, as well as highly coveted works by British designer Andrew Grima.

Whether for first-time buyers or seasoned collectors, today’s sale offers an unparalleled range of craftsmanship and artistry — with the Masquerade Hare as its mythical centrepiece.

A Golden Moment

As bidding opens today, the Masquerade Hare once again invites wonder — not as a buried secret, but as a rare jewel in plain sight. Its sale marks a moment where storytelling, art and treasure hunting meet, allowing one collector to claim an object that captured the world’s imagination.