VERDURA Black Onyx, Pearl and Gold Pendant Necklace.
View Similar Items
VERDURA Black Onyx, Pearl and Gold Pendant Necklace.
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2000
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 39N6011stDibs: LU2999232
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.
- EMIS BEROS Gold, Black Onyx and Diamond NecklaceBy Emis BerosLocated in New York, NYAn 18 karat yellow gold and high karat gold, black onyx and diamond necklace, Emis Beros, circa 1970s. Designed as a six (6) strand necklace of black onyx beads punctuated with six ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
- VERDURA Platinum, Gold and Diamond BraceletBy VerduraLocated in New York, NYAn 18 karat yellow gold, platinum and diamond bracelet. Verdura. Designed as alternating zigzag links of platinum and textured gold, the platinum links set with approximately one h...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Link Bracelets
- ELIZABETH GAGE Pearl, Coral, Coin and Gold NecklaceBy Elizabeth GageLocated in New York, NYAn 18 karat yellow gold, ancient coin, coral and pearl necklace, Elizabeth Gage, circa 1994. Fashioned as a chain of elongated ovals with deep scrolling ...Category
1990s American Drop Necklaces
MaterialsCoral, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- WANDER 1960s Long Gold Navette Shaped Link NecklaceBy WanderLocated in New York, NYAn 18 karat yellow gold necklace. Wander. French. Circa 1960. Designed as alternating polished and matte gold scrolling and navette shaped links, length is approximately 28 3/4 inche...Category
Vintage 1960s French Link Necklaces
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold
- BULGARI Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel "Tondo" Pendant NecklaceBy BulgariLocated in New York, NYAn 18 karat yellow gold, stainless steel, leather and diamond necklace, Bulgari. The “Tondo” pendant fashioned as a gold sun pave set wit...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pendant Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
- A Pair of Yellow Gold, Pearl and Diamond EarringsLocated in New York, NYA pair of 14 karat yellow gold, pearl and diamond earclips. Each earclip designed as a central mabe pearl measuring approximately 13.4 mm surrounded by a spiral of approximately thi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Verdura Black Pearl Link Necklace with Rose Cut Diamonds 18k Yellow GoldBy VerduraLocated in La Jolla, CAVERDURA Black Pearl Link Necklace with Rose cut Diamonds 18k Yellow Gold Long Pearl Link Necklace in 18k Yellow Gold by Verdura features 6 Large black South Sea Pearls measurin...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Pearl Onyx Silver Gold Stone Gold NecklaceLocated in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). PS: THIS POLICY IS NOT APPLICABLE ...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Link Necklaces
MaterialsOnyx, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
- Onyx Pearls Little Pearls Red Bambù Rose Gold and Silver NecklaceLocated in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). PS: THIS POLICY IS NOT APPLICABLE TO ITEMS WITH FIX PRICE, ITEMS AT AUCTIONS AND ONGOING PROMOTIONS. Fabulous necklace made by 9K rose gold and silver...Category
Vintage 1960s Retro Link Necklaces
MaterialsOnyx, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
- Onyx, Jade Pearls, Rose Gold and Silver Retrò Necklace.Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). PS: THIS POLICY IS NOT APPLICABLE ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Retro Link Necklaces
MaterialsJade, Onyx, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
- Mauboussin brown mother-of-pearl, onyx, diamonds and yellow gold NecklaceBy MauboussinLocated in Monte Carlo, MCRare Mauboussin Necklace made in the 70' - 80'. This necklace consists of different geometric shapes. 14 triangular motifs set with diamonds and sugarloaf onyx, the 5 central motifs...Category
Late 20th Century Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
- 14 Karat Yellow Gold Black Onyx NecklaceLocated in Dallas, TXWear it alone, or layer it! Either way - it is lovely!Category
21st Century and Contemporary Link Necklaces
MaterialsOnyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold