Verdura 18kt Yellow Gold Gemstone South Sea Pearl Fulco "Y" Necklace
View Similar Items
Verdura 18kt Yellow Gold Gemstone South Sea Pearl Fulco "Y" Necklace
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Dimensions:Width: 17.5 in (444.5 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:unknown
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: EJNEC465991stDibs: LU2467214786682
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.
- Henry Dunay 18k Gold South Sea Pearl Diamond Sabi RingBy Henry DunayLocated in Palm Beach, FLHenry Dunay South Sea pearl and diamond ring with the 'Sabi' finish. Set with one South Sea cultured pearl measuring 13.25mm. One side of the mounting is pave-set with 68 round bri...Category
Early 2000s American Modern Cocktail Rings
MaterialsDiamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Elizabeth Locke 19k Yellow Gold Akoya Pearl Link NecklaceBy Elizabeth LockeLocated in Palm Beach, FLElizabeth Locke necklace in 19 karat yellow gold, featuring twenty-three 8-8.5mm cultured Akoya pearls with polished gold connecting links as well as hammered finish gold end caps on...Category
2010s Thai Link Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
- Italian 18k Yellow Gold Oval Link NecklaceLocated in Palm Beach, FLChunky link long necklace in high-polished 18k yellow gold, designed as a series of single larger twisted oval links alternating with two smaller-sized round links. Handmade in Ital...Category
2010s Italian Modern Link Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Verdura Citrine Diamond Pearl Byzantine Long NecklaceBy VerduraLocated in Palm Beach, FL"Byzantine" long necklace, featuring a single-strand comprised of polished citrine beads accented by gold beads, silver and diamond pierced beads, and cultured pearls. 18k yellow go...Category
2010s Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsCitrine, Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
- Stefano Ricci 18kt Yellow Gold Crocodile CufflinksBy Stefano RicciLocated in Palm Beach, FLStefano Ricci 18k yellow gold cufflinks inset with honey tan brown-colored crocodile. Large size measuring 1 1/2" in length. Gold rim with solid gold b...Category
2010s Italian Modern Cufflinks
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- David Webb 1970s 18k Yellow Gold Long Link NecklaceBy David WebbLocated in Palm Beach, FLDavid Webb 1970s long link necklace in hammered 18k yellow gold. Necklace converts into a collar necklace with two matching link bracelets. Necklace measuring 30" in overall length...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Link Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- NWT 67, 300 Gorgeous 18KT Gold South Sea Pearl Fancy Yellow Diamond NecklaceLocated in New York, NYThe Following Item we are offering is this Extremely Rare Beautiful 18KT Gold Fine Extraordinary Large Cultured South Sea Golden Pearl Diamond Necklace. This Masterpiece of a Necklac...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
$30,285 Sale Price55% OffFree Shipping - South Sea Pearl Gemstone NecklaceLocated in Dallas, TXIn 18 karat white gold, this necklace has a great swing to it! For formal or casual occasions, this is a versatile piece. The yellow South Sea pearl measures approximately 12.70 m...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
MaterialsSouth Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Pearl Necklace David Yurman 18Kt Yellow Gold South Sea PearlsBy David YurmanLocated in Jupiter, FLRare vintage David Yurman necklace made in 18KT yellow gold chain with south sea pearls. GRAM WEIGHT: 45.69gr GOLD: 18KT yellow gold PE...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Classical Roman Choker Necklaces
MaterialsSouth Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- NWT $90, 000 Gorgeous 18KT Gold South Sea Golden Pearl Yellow Diamond NecklaceLocated in New York, NYThe Following Item we are offering is this Beautiful Rare Important 18KT White and Yellow Gold Pearl and Diamond Necklace. Necklace is comprised of Beautiful Magnificent High Luster ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
$45,000 Sale Price50% OffFree Shipping - NWT $98, 000 Gorgeous 18KT Gold South Sea Golden Pearl Yellow Diamond NecklaceLocated in New York, NYThe Following Item we are offering is this Beautiful Rare Important 18KT White and Yellow Gold Pearl and Diamond Necklace. Necklace is comprised of Beautiful Magnificent High Luster ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
$44,100 Sale Price55% OffFree Shipping - NWT $60, 000 Gorgeous 18KT Gold South Sea Golden Pearl Yellow Diamond NecklaceLocated in New York, NYThe Following Item we are offering is this Beautiful Important 18KT Gold Magnficent Rare Golden South Sea Pearl and Fancy Diamond Necklace. Bracelet is comprised of 31 Beautiful Magnificent High Luster Large South Sea Golden Pearls that gives off a Golden Radiant Hue!!! Beautifully spread across and adorned with a Fine Spectacular Rare Yellow Diamond...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
$27,000 Sale Price55% OffFree Shipping