Verdura Gold Wishbone Money Clip
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:Gold,14k Gold
- Weight:14.5 g
- Dimensions:Width: 1.13 in (28.71 mm)Length: 2 in (50.8 mm)
- Period:1990-1999
- Date of Manufacture:1990
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:
Verdura
Fulco di Verdura (1898–1978) is not exactly a household name, except for those who know a thing or two about highly original, often eccentric handcrafted jewelry and, even more so, for those fortunate enough to own some. In that exclusive group, Verdura is regarded as the most gifted and coveted designer of his time.
Verdura was born in Sicily in 1898, the scion of a noble family related to the Lampedusas. (His cousin, Giuseppe di Lampedusa, wrote the great Italian saga The Leopard). His life was charmed from birth. Raised in his family’s villa, he grew up during a time when Sicily, and Palermo in particular, were meccas for well-born and highly cultured European travelers.
A bona fide duke with no clear ambitions but creative leanings aplenty (he could draw and paint), the young Verdura was part of the wandering social circuit — the so-called beau monde — that went from capital to capital, resort to resort.
Verdura, though small in stature, had that indefinable quality called charm. As a result, he was the life of every party he attended. When he finally started designing jewelry under Coco Chanel in the late 1920s, many of his friends became his clients (or received the pieces as gifts). Elsa Maxwell took him under her ample wing when she was hired to do public relations for the Lido in Venice and introduced him to the local and visiting cognoscenti. Chanel, whom he met in Venice, hired him to work in the textiles division of her fashion house. But it was his flair for jewelry that soon caught Coco’s eye. Eventually, he rose to become her personal designer of fine jewelry.
In 2002’s Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler (Thames & Hudson), Vanity Fair’s Amy Fine Collins describes the sensation of wearing pieces by Verdura, who drew inspiration from nature for his signature gem-studded seashell brooches and honeybee earrings. “They were ingeniously calculated to flatter the wearer,” writes Collins. “Earrings undulated to complement the convolutions of an earlobe, rings seductively followed the phalanges of a finger, and necklaces gracefully traced the anatomy of the throat.”
In 1934, Verdura left Chanel and together with two friends, aspiring actress Princess Natalia Pavlovna Paley and Baron Nicholas de Gunzburg, moved to the U.S. After several stops, he found a job through Diana Vreeland in Hollywood with Paul Flato, then the “jeweler to the stars.” Soon he was signing his work and helping Flato cultivate the crème de la creme of the silver screen — those both on it and behind it.
Verdura left Los Angeles for New York and opened his own salon, first on Fifth Avenue in 1939, just as World War II was beginning in Europe. His backers were Vincent Astor and Cole Porter, for whom he made bejeweled boxes and cigarette cases — gifts from Porter’s wife, Linda — to commemorate the opening nights of several musicals. Verdura began to expand both his repertoire — he became much more daring and flamboyant — and his clientele. The Duchess of Windsor, Daisy Fellowes, Greta Garbo and others routinely gave him commissions. In 1941, Verdura collaborated on a collection of six pieces with Salvador Dalí to accompany a Dalí exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. Verdura retired in 1972 and left the care of the company to his partner, Joseph Alfano. He later moved to London, where he died in 1978 at the age of 79.
Among the most prized pieces on display in a 2014 Verdura jewelry exhibition in New York were Greta Garbo’s curb-link bracelet watch, which Verdura designed for her in 1939; Coco Chanel’s pair of Maltese Cross cuff bracelets (she wore one on each wrist); and Diana Vreeland’s duo of Byzantine brooches.
Find a range of authentic Verdura jewelry today on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Beverly Hills, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- French Vintage Turtle Brooch 18k Gold RubyLocated in Beverly Hills, CAA cute French vintage turtle brooch made of 18k gold, features ruby. This amazing pin was meticulously made by skillfully applying multiple goldsmith techniques. The turtle’s shell i...Category
Vintage 1970s French Brooches
MaterialsRuby, Gold, 18k Gold
- Vintage Bulgari 18K Yellow Gold, Citrine, Pearl & Diamond Pin BroochBy BulgariLocated in Beverly Hills, CA- 18 karat yellow gold - 13.48 carat of square cut citrine - 0.18 carat of round brilliant cut diamond - 5- 7.5mm of white round cultured pearls - D...Category
Late 20th Century Brooches
MaterialsCitrine, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage Yellow Gold Oval Link Chain Necklace w/ Pendant & BroochLocated in Beverly Hills, CAProduct details: The necklace and the brooch made out of 18 karat yellow gold, featuring textured finish and floral motif. The necklace is 34 inches long and 5/16 inches wide. The ...Category
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage David Webb Diamond & Enamel Bow Ribbon Pin BroochBy David WebbLocated in Beverly Hills, CA- 18 karat yellow gold - 900 platinum - 2.50 carat of round brilliant cut diamonds - Blue and green enamel - Double clip - Comes with certificate of authenticity - Style number: 091...Category
20th Century Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Enamel
- Cartier Chalcedony Pin Golf BagBy CartierLocated in Beverly Hills, CADesigner: Cartier Materials: 18 karat Yellow Gold Weight: 9.8 grams Gemstone: Diamond Gemstone: Chalcedony Measurement: 1 1/2" x 1/2" Hallmarks: Cartier, Paris An elegant vintage Cartier pin, designed as a golf bag with an 18k gold strap. The bag is made of chalcedony. The golf clubs and the back of the brooch are 18k gold. This Cartier brooch is a tiny wearable piece pf art. It will graciously embellish your lapel with it’s glowing beauty. Comes with original box. Chalcedony is a variety of quartz that usually comes in white, grey or blue color. Those colors appear during crystallization due to metallic inclusions in the stone. It is formed through a unique activity that involves hot fluids or gases that deposit minerals in rock fractures. White chalcedony contains morganite and also can be found in different hues. It’s opaque and waxy that makes a chalcedony jewelry...Category
1990s French Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold
- Mellerio Retro Yellow and White 18k Gold Diamond Ruby BroochBy Mellerio dits MellerLocated in Beverly Hills, CADESIGNER: Mellerio dits Meller CIRCA: 1950s MATERIALS: 18K Gold GEMSTONE: Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds GEMSTONE 2: Ruby WEIGHT: 21 grams MEASUREMENTS: 1 1/4” x 1 3/8” HALLMARKS: M...Category
Mid-20th Century French Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Gold
- Rose Gold Floral Brooch with Thirty One Diamonds and Emerald by ArtistBy Polya Medvedeva JewelleryLocated in Berlin, DEThis contemporary Peony Petal floral brooch is in 18 karat rose gold with 31 round natural diamonds, VS, F-G, and natural octagon cut emerald. The sculptural design adds the extra hi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Emerald, Diamond, Beryl, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Go...
- White Gold Contemporary Floral Brooch with Diamonds and EmeraldBy Polya Medvedeva JewelleryLocated in Berlin, DEThis contemporary Peony Petal floral brooch is in 18 karat white gold with 31 round natural diamonds, VS, F-G, and natural octagon cut emerald. The sculptural design adds the extra h...Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsEmerald, Beryl, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Go...
- 18 Karat White Gold with White Diamonds BroochLocated in GALLARATE, ITElegant Talisman ! Stanoppi takes care of you ! Protect yourself with style. Talisman applied on a 100% pure cotton mask with protective filter or you can put the brooch in your jack...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
- Vintage Diamond BroochLocated in New York, NYCommand attention in this exquisite diamond brooch from the Jewels Aficionado antique collection. Outfitted with a whopping 20.40 carats of diamonds set in platinum, the brooch mixes...Category
Vintage 1960s Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Vintage Aquamarine and Diamond Flower Head BroochLocated in London, GBA vintage aquamarine and diamond flower head brooch, the brooch with round brilliant-cut diamond set domed centre surrounded by four heart sh...Category
Vintage 1950s Modern Brooches
MaterialsAquamarine, Diamond
- Cameo, Topazs, Rubies, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Brooch/Pendant.Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). PS: THIS POLICY IS NOT APPLICABLE ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Topaz, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver