More Tiffany Jewels

This necklace  of moonstones, gold, and enamel was auctioned at the recent Christie's auction, Magnificent Jewels and the Princie Diamond.  Other than being a fine example of art nouveau with gorgeous moonstones, this necklace was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany himself, the same who is famous for stained glass windows.  Son of the founder of Tiffany and Co., he became the jewelry company's first Design Director in 1902.

Suspending a pendant set with a drop-shaped cabochon moonstone within a blue enamel and sculpted gold surround, to the neckchain set with an alternating series of cabochon moonstones and blue enamel plaques, mounted in gold and platinum, circa 1910, 18 ins.  By Louis Comfort Tiffany, signed Tiffany & Co. Courtesy of Jewelsdejour.com.

 

To quote Rahul Kadakia, Head of Jewelry, Christie’s Americas and Switzerland: “A major event took place in the global auction industry with the record breaking sale of The Princie Diamond at Christie’s New York. Aside from Christie’s sale of the legendary Collection of Elizabeth Taylor, this was the most successful jewelry auction ever held in the United States and Christie’s was proud to have orchestrated the sale of such an historic gemstone.”  The sale total, including Buyer’s Premium, was $81,358,700 (USD).

Yup- I'd say that's successful.  BTW- the necklace sold for $32,500. 

I was particularly interested in the necklace because I love Tiffany's stained glass, even though this necklace does not reflect his particular genius (get the joke- har har).  As examples of Tiffany's work go, I prefer this one, currently owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

To crib shamelssly from the museum's write up, "This necklace, composed of grape clusters and leaves, is one of the earliest known examples of jewelry designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Tiny black opals represent the clusters of fruit, and finely executed enameling in shades of green on gold forms the delicate leaves. Opals appealed to Tiffany for their fiery glow, reminiscent of his vases in Favrile glass. The asymmetry of the design and its organic shapes are entirely in keeping with his passion for natural forms. This necklace was among the twenty-seven pieces that Tiffany made for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in Saint Louis in 1904. It has been altered twice since its original conception, first by the addition of grape clusters on either side of the central pendant and later by the addition of a double bar-link chain. These changes were probably overseen by Tiffany himself, who is believed to have presented the necklace to his nurse and later companion, Sarah E. Hanley."

Tiffany's Blue Book Green Diamond Ring

 

As rare and amazing as the natural green diamond in Tiffany's Rare, Vivid Green Diamond Ring is, the white diamonds' setting is what makes the ring noteworthy.  They bloom like petals around the 1.21 carat green stone. 



See how the diamonds are on edge in an almost invisible platinum setting?





This ring is all about trapping and reflecting light.  It will singularly blaze when it is worn.  Photographs do not do it justice.  Go to Tiffany's Facebook to see it in motion- prepare to be amazed by the facets on the diamonds' girdles and the diamond encrustation of the ring itself.  All pictures are courtesy of Tiffany and Co.

 



Black Friday- Spring!

 



 April showers bring April flowers here!  So here is another floral beauty for Friday.

Circa 1910, the filigree locket is pierced, diamond-set and done in the garland style, the design continuing down the center of the front of the locket set on a square of onyx. The back is composed of engraved platinum doors which open to reveal an oval glass covered section surrounded by engraved platinum, perfect for a picture or a lock of hair. The locket is suspended from a filigree diamond-set bale and an original oval filigree link platinum chain. Total weight of the 150 single and old European-cut diamonds is approximately 1.30 carats, locket and bale measure 2 3/8 inches long and chain measures 24 3/8 inches long. Available from Shiela Goldfinger at 1stdibs. 

The back is almost as pretty as the front.

Wouldn't it be perfect for a black and white photo?

A Gold Parure- Lot 22

I have never seen a set like this.  From the Christie's New York Magnificent Jewels and The Princie Diamond auction, April 16 2013. 


LOT 22 - An antique gold parure. Comprising a sculpted gold necklace of foliate motif; two bracelets, a brooch, a pair of ear pendants and a tiara en suite, circa 1830, necklace 17.5in, bracelets 7in, with French assay marks, French importation marks and maker's marks, in a red leather fitted case. Estimate: US$10,000-$15,000.  Thanks to Christie's for the original image and to The Jewelry Editor.





It's the whole set- the whole thing!  From tiara to belt buckle!  In the original box!  And if anyone made a snarky comment about "matchy-matchy," you know it would be their envy talking. 

Want another look?  You bet!  I could look at this all day.  (That's why I'll never win the lottery- I would blow it all on something like this and spend all of my time staring at it, calling it "my precious.")   [Update:  Sold for $13,750.]

Prayers for Boston

A horrific bombing in Boston....please pray for the victims and their families, as well as in gratitude for the heroism and assistance of those who rendered aid to strangers in crisis.

95% of the people in this world are wonderful, but 5% do a lot of damage.  Let's not let them make the world over in their image.  Let's fight back against hate and death with compassion and consideration.
 
Please, this week, do something dramatic or extravagant for life and beauty to support Boston and to tell the 5% they won't win.  If you wish, post what you've chosen to do here to inspire others. 

Lord Jesus, we are made in your image, and as such are all precious.  We ask for healing hands and  obedience to assist in your plans for making good from the evil in Boston.  We know you are with the victims and families; may they feel your presence personally and draw peace and strength from it.  Amen 

Purple Perfection

David Webb usually makes me feel "meh."  That is, until I saw this amethyst, diamond, and emerald bracelet up for auction at Christie's on the 16th.  Then I almost passed out.   



Everything about this is perfect- the colors, the manes becoming scales, the shapes of the eyes and ears, the ropes on the horses' harnesses- gorgeous.  Even the carved Indian emeralds on the harnesses are perfect, and I usually do not like those in high jewelry.  All of this shows that true artistry creates exceptions to everything.

Stand by for more Christie's gorgeousness this week...there are some jaw droppers on the block on Tuesday!  Thanks to From the Eyes of Purple who repinned jewelsdejour.com.

I hope whoever gets this beautiful thing will love it as much as I would have...

Ah-May-Zing Spring Jewels- on Friday

Today's art nouveau jewel honors the hot fecundity that has gripped the Mid Atlantic since we skipped spring and went straight to summer.  The blooming trees are playing catch up; you can imagine them panting as they strain to pop, pop, pop their blossoms. 


 A French Art Nouveau 18 karat gold brooch by Paul Lienard, with carved ivory bleeding heart flowers with 6 pear shape ruby centers (approx. .70 carats) and plique-a-jour enamel leaves. Found on 1st Dibs for Macklowe Gallery.

It is sweetly seditious, no?  Ah, Paul...you were so cleverly naughty!  And because it is Black Friday, let's have another knee-weakening, floral beauty made by Lienard at the turn of the century...

Brooch designed as a carved moonstone female face, enhanced by an opalescent and pale green plique-a-jour enamel and green gold headdress, with old mine-cut diamond and matte-finished black enamel detail, suspending a freshwater pearl drop, mounted in 18k gold, from Christie's Important Jewels, December 1996.

The craftsmanship of the second outshines the first, but they are both compelling.  Which would you wear?  Why?