From the Estate of Winifred Busby Hirsch--Sold for the Benefit of
THE HIRSCH LIBRARY, MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON
DIAMOND, CORAL, GREEN ENAMEL AND YELLOW GOLD STRAWBERRY BRACELET
Details
DIAMOND, CORAL, GREEN ENAMEL AND YELLOW GOLD STRAWBERRY BRACELET
The tapered band of entwined sculpted yellow gold branches bearing pavé-set diamond flowers, orange coral and yellow gold strawberries, circular-cut diamond buds, pavé-set diamond and green enamel leaves, mounted in platinum and 18K yellow gold (small yellow gold seeds missing)--7 in. (17.8 cm) (en suite with lot No. 204)
Signed by Tiffany, designed by Donald Claflin
Donald Claflin, a dynamic American-born jewelry designer, joined Tiffany & Co. in 1965, and three years later was asked to design the entire Tanzanite collection, then being widely promoted by the company. Tanzanite is the violet-blue crystal variety of the mineral zoisite, deriving its name from its discovery and only known source in Tanzania, near Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Claflin's most important commission for Tiffany & Co. came in 1970, when he designed a new Tiffany setting in which the diamond center stone is set in the cross of two intersecting bands of precious metal, giving added importance to both the stone and the ring.
Claflin encouraged his clients to become adventurous and to adopt a bolder style in jewelry. Along with Jean Schlumberger, he led the way toward a sophisticated style in jewelry that other designers were quick to emulate.
Following his highly successful years with Tiffany & Co., Donald Claflin became a major designer for Bulgari. His untimely death in 1979 left a serious gap in the ranks of imaginative and productive American jewelry designers.
The tapered band of entwined sculpted yellow gold branches bearing pavé-set diamond flowers, orange coral and yellow gold strawberries, circular-cut diamond buds, pavé-set diamond and green enamel leaves, mounted in platinum and 18K yellow gold (small yellow gold seeds missing)--7 in. (17.8 cm) (en suite with lot No. 204)
Signed by Tiffany, designed by Donald Claflin
Donald Claflin, a dynamic American-born jewelry designer, joined Tiffany & Co. in 1965, and three years later was asked to design the entire Tanzanite collection, then being widely promoted by the company. Tanzanite is the violet-blue crystal variety of the mineral zoisite, deriving its name from its discovery and only known source in Tanzania, near Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Claflin's most important commission for Tiffany & Co. came in 1970, when he designed a new Tiffany setting in which the diamond center stone is set in the cross of two intersecting bands of precious metal, giving added importance to both the stone and the ring.
Claflin encouraged his clients to become adventurous and to adopt a bolder style in jewelry. Along with Jean Schlumberger, he led the way toward a sophisticated style in jewelry that other designers were quick to emulate.
Following his highly successful years with Tiffany & Co., Donald Claflin became a major designer for Bulgari. His untimely death in 1979 left a serious gap in the ranks of imaginative and productive American jewelry designers.