Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Signature "Heart" Book-Mark
About the Item
- Designer:Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
- Brand:Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2475163523
Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
In an era of social upheaval, venerable Tiffany & Co. designer Elsa Peretti reimagined diamonds as jewelry that working women bought for themselves rather than receiving it from a suitor.
By the time the Italian-born Peretti (1940–2021) arrived in New York City, she’d already studied design in Rome, worked for a Milanese architect and taught Italian, French and skiing in Switzerland. She settled on interior design as her potential career path but then chose an altogether different route: modeling. Peretti modeled in Barcelona, Spain, and on the advice of Wilhelmina Cooper — a former model who’d by then founded Wilhelmina Modeling Agency — moved to Manhattan in 1968. When she relocated, Peretti was inspired to pick up jewelry design.
After modeling for designer Halston, the undisputed fashion king of Studio 54, Peretti became his close friend and collaborator, eventually creating jewelry and teardrop-shaped perfume bottles for him. By way of her association with Halston, Peretti took to the disco scene, flourishing in a social circle that included artist Andy Warhol and fashion designer Giorgio di Sant’Angelo.
It wasn’t long before models on di Sant’Angelo’s runway were donning two-inch sterling-silver vases, complete with a rose stem, suspended on leather thongs around their necks. The accessory was Peretti’s inaugural piece of jewelry — she designed it in 1969 after finding a flower vase at a flea market. It was hardly the only time that Peretti found motifs in nature and in organic forms. In the years that followed, her Bean pendant necklace, Starfish earrings and other sensuous accessories would draw on human emotion as well as the natural world around her. Each evocative and wholly versatile design is universally adored decades later, and each was made for a storied American jewelry house with which Peretti would be associated for nearly 50 years.
It was Halston who introduced Peretti to Tiffany & Co. She had her own boutique at Bloomingdale’s by 1972, and her partnership with the firm, which signed the venturesome and unorthodox designer to an exclusive contract in 1974, would cement her place in the lofty annals of jewelry legend. Peretti’s simple but sophisticated designs — the Teardrop collection, her minimalist Diamonds by the Yard necklace and Open Heart ring, to name a few — elevated sterling silver, previously considered unsuitable for fine jewelry, and created an enthusiastic young audience for Tiffany’s offerings. In 1977, Peretti’s designs earned the jewelry house more than $6 million. (In some years, her work has accounted for 10 percent of the company’s sales.)
In 2012, Peretti signed a 20-year, $47.3 million contract with Tiffany & Co., but she passed away in 2021, at age 80. Today, her designs are in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the British Museum.
Find an exquisite collection of Elsa Peretti jewelry today on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver "United States" Book MarkBy Tiffany & Co.Located in New York, NYTiffany & Co. wonderfully detailed sterling silver Map of the "United States" book mark measures 3 inches in length and 2 inches in height. Made in Italy.Category
1990s Italian Book and Adaptations
- Pierre Balmain Complete AgendaBy Pierre BalmainLocated in New York, NYPierre Balmain complete agenda has wonderful calfskin leather edging along with the lined leather and silk combination. Body is made with thick Tapestry made to last. Original note p...Category
1970s French For The Desk
- Christian Lacroix "Heart" PaperweightBy Christian LacroixLocated in New York, NYChristian Lacroix "2002" heart-shaped paperweight is engraved with "Christian Lacroix", "2002", peace signs and a large "hands-down" carving on top. Measurements are 2" in height, 7/...Category
20th Century French For The Desk
- Dupont 18k Yellow Gold Lighter in Original BoxBy S.T. DupontLocated in New York, NYS. T. Dupont Signature 18k yellow gold lighter with etching throughout measures 1 5/8 inches at the base and 2 1/4 inches in height. depth measures 6/16 of an inch. Made in France.Category
1980s French Ashtrays
- Yves Saint Laurent Gilded Gold with Pearl BraceletBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent's gilded gold hardware with large faux pearl centered bracelet measures 8" in length, 1 3/8" in width and 1/2" in height. Wonderfully elegant and classic, this is ...Category
1980s French Other
- John Alden 12K with Cabochon Cuff LinksLocated in New York, NYJohn Alden's 12K with cabochon cuff links are marked with maker's mark. Measurements are 7/8" X 5/8" with original box.Category
1980s Unknown Other
- HERMES Vintage Rare Buckle Motif Paper Clip HolderBy HermèsLocated in Nice, FRHERMES vintage rare silver tone paper clip holder featuring a large iconic gold tone buckle design. Embossed HERMES PARIS Made in France Silversmith...Category
20th Century French For The Desk
- Hermès Rare Desk Set With CornucopiaBy HermèsLocated in West Hollywood, CAIncredible Hermes desk set comprising 4 pieces: two dishes (one is missing the leather back, the other one is in better condition), paper clips holder...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French For The Desk
- Hermes Vintage Hugo Pen Case Fauve Barenia Leather NewBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers a rare Hermes Vintage Hugo Pen Case featured in coveted Fauve Barenia leather. Beautifully finished with off white top stitch. Fits 2 p...Category
2010s French For The Desk
- Hermes Culbuto Sellier Rollerball Pen Gold Barenia Leather NewBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Culbuto Sellier Rollerball Pen featured in Fauve Barenia calfskin. Palladium plated. Has a specific pressurized refill blue ink refill. Marvelous self bal...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French For The Desk
- ST DUPONT Fountain Pen in Gold Plated and 18 Carat GoldBy S.T. DupontLocated in Paris, FRS.T DUPONT fountain pen in gold plated. Pen in 18 carat gold. Pen in good condition. Micro scratches on the whole pen. Serial number : 51ABD76 Dim...Category
21st Century and Contemporary For The Desk
- Art Deco Bakelite Desk Set in Original BoxLocated in London, GBBeautiful Art Deco bakelite desk set in the original box, with an ink pen, revolving pencil with lead, letter opener and seal. The nib is st...Category
1920s For The Desk