Verdura Diamond 'Kensington' Cuff Bracelet
View Similar Items
Verdura Diamond 'Kensington' Cuff Bracelet
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:unknow
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Francisco, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: SFP0011401stDibs: LU4197098041
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.
- Temple St. Clair Bellina Rhodolite and Diamond Cuff BraceletBy Temple St. ClairLocated in San Francisco, CASeeing red?! Wear it with this 18k yellow gold stackable and fun cuff bangle bracelet Designed with two bezel-set cabochon pear-shaped rhodolite garnets, weighing together 2.04cts.,...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- William Goldberg Diamonds Amazing 27.93 Carats Diamond Cuff BraceletBy William GoldbergLocated in San Francisco, CAThis wide, palladium cuff bracelet adorned with 20 various bezel-set fancy and round brilliant-cut diamonds, weighing in total 27.93 carats, is a one-of-a-kind showstopper! The brace...Category
2010s American Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Palladium
- Temple St. Clair Bellina Chrome Diopside and Diamond Cuff BraceletBy Temple St. ClairLocated in San Francisco, CAFor the lover of all things green, this 18k yellow gold stackable cuff bangle bracelet is easy, fun and wearable. Designed with two bezel-set cabochon pear-shaped chrome diopside sto...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Estate Multi-Color Sapphire & Diamond BraceletLocated in San Francisco, CADesigned in 18k white gold, this unique and elegant bracelet satisfies the pink and blue lover alike! With two rows of 101 round brilliant diamonds, weighing a total of 2.61 carats, ...Category
Late 20th Century Modern Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
- David Webb Black Enamel Diamond Gold BraceletBy David WebbLocated in San Francisco, CAA rare David Webb flexible black enamel bracelet accented with 96 round brilliant cut diamonds totaling 2.40 carats. This gorgeous piece measures approximately 7" long and 0.63" wid...Category
20th Century American Link Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
$39,150 Sale Price20% Off - 18k Yellow & White Gold Diamond & Sapphire BraceletLocated in San Francisco, CAStyle for days! This fashionable two-tone 18 karat gold bracelet features 0.40 carats of accent diamonds and a rich blue cabochon cut sapphire, perfectly set amongst a mesh style gol...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Bangles
MaterialsDiamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
- Opal Diamond Bracelet CuffBy Meghna JewelsLocated in Hoffman Estate, ILA stunning bracelet handmade in 18K gold and sterling silver. It is set in 7.84 carats sapphire, 13.91 carats opal and 1.67 carats diamonds. Pair this with your favorite evening dres...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
$8,500 / item - Enamel Diamond Tiger Bracelet CuffBy Meghna JewelsLocated in Hoffman Estate, ILA stunning enamel bracelet cuff is handmade in 14K gold & sterling silver. It is set in 10.11 carats of glimmering diamonds. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS stor...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Enamel, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
$18,000 Sale Price / item20% Off - Coral Rose Cut Diamond Bracelet CuffBy Meghna JewelsLocated in Hoffman Estate, ILA stunning statement bracelet handmade in 18K gold and sterling silver. It is set in 6.9 carats coral and 5.58 carats of uncut & rose cut diamonds in blackened finish. Clasp Closure ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Modern Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Coral, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
$8,900 / item - Antique Style Tanzanite Diamond Bracelet CuffBy Meghna JewelsLocated in Hoffman Estate, ILInspired by the Mughal Era, a stunning statement bracelet handmade in 18K gold and sterling silver. It is set in 85.7 carats tanzanite and 43.36 carats of uncut & rosecut diamonds in...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Modern Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
$27,600 Sale Price20% Off - Verdura Cacholong Maltese Cross Cuff BraceletBy VerduraLocated in New York, NYFinely crafted in carved cacholong featuring a 18K yellow gold maltese crosses with a cabochon Coral, round-cut citrines, and cultured pearls. Signed by Verdura. Comes with certifica...Category
Early 2000s American Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsCitrine, Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold
Price Upon Request - Carved Emerald Ruby Diamond Cuff BraceletBy Meghna JewelsLocated in Hoffman Estate, ILA stunning statement cuff handmade in 14K gold. It is hand set in carved motifs throughout, 129.82 carats emerald, 31.08 carats ruby & 5.36 carats of sparkling diamonds. Clasp Closur...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, Sterling Silver, 14k Gold