A DIAMOND, TURQUOISE, FRESHWATER PEARL AND GOLD INDIAN HEAD BROOCH, BY FULCO DI VERDURA

Christie's is selling all lots in this sale as age… Read more

Details

A DIAMOND, TURQUOISE, FRESHWATER PEARL AND GOLD INDIAN HEAD BROOCH, BY FULCO DI VERDURA
Designed as a sculpted rose gold Indian chief, wearing an elaborate headdress composed of a large baroque freshwater pearl, textured gold feathers and single-cut diamond feathers, and a cabochon turquoise necklace, enhanced by an articulated turquoise pendant, mounted in platinum, rose and yellow gold, circa 1957

Provenance

Verdura, 1957

Literature

Patricia Corbett, "Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler", Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2002, page 199

Penny Proddow, "American Jewelry: Glamour and Tradition", Rizzoli, New York, 1987, page 131

Special notice

Christie's is selling all lots in this sale as agent for an organization which holds a State of New York Exempt Organization certificate. Seller explicitly reserves all trademark and trade name rights and rights of privacy and publicity in the name and image of Doris Duke. No buyer of any property in this sale will acquire any right to use the Doris Duke name or image. Seller further explicitly reserves all copyright rights in designs or other copyrightable works included in the property offered for sale. No buyer of any property in the sale will acquire the rights to reproduce, distribute copies of, or prepare derivative works of such designs or copyrightable works.

Lot Essay

Verdura loved to scour flea markets and one of his most interesting finds was an antique folio of Native American tribal chiefs. The wonderful hand-colored plates inspired many of his Indian-themed jewels. This brooch that Verdura created for Doris Duke in 1957 was inspired by the Indian head nickel. She was so pleased with the jewel she had him create a similar piece with diamonds replacing the baroque pearl.

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