Henry Dunay Objets d'Art and Vertu
Henry Dunay is one of the finest goldsmiths and jewelry makers of the 20th century. The seasoned American designer has for decades created exquisite jewelry by hand that is characterized by bold proportions and precise craftsmanship. Dunay’s breathtaking brooches, bracelets, rings and other accessories have garnered worldwide renown and — on the secondary market — are being reappraised by collectors as icons of contemporary design.
Dunay was born Henry Loniewski in Jersey City, New Jersey, and apprenticed for a downtown New York City jeweler named Rudolph Cacioli in his early teens. He spent a little less than seven years working under Cacioli, and set off to open his own business in 1956. He took on his mother's maiden name Dunay, believing his family name would be an obstacle to his success. At first, Dunay secured work designing pieces for other jewelers, including Harry Winston, one of the first figures in the field to recognize the branding power of lending glitzy fine jewelry for red-carpet events. As his skill set broadened, Dunay began handcrafting his own designs and built a name for himself.
Dunay’s business exploded thanks to the publicity around the De Beers Diamonds International Award he won in 1967. From then on, his fame grew and demand increased for his unique adornments, which feature distinctive metal finishes as well as blue sapphires, pavé set diamonds and a range of other gems. Dunay went on to win more awards from De Beers Diamonds and a wealth of other national and international awards throughout his career.
Dunay garnered acclaim for a sophisticated engraved-surface technique he calls Sabi, which draws on the traditional Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, and iconic figures such as Elizabeth Taylor, Nancy Reagan and Princess Diana all wore his elegant pieces for public appearances. At the 2003 Academy Awards, many celebrities donned Dunay’s Dove of Peace pin, commissioned by Global Vision for Peace and inspired by the work of Pablo Picasso. The designer is a member of the Gemological Institute of America and a past president of the American Jewelry Design Council. In 2009, he sold his company and later established H.D.D., Inc.
Find vintage Henry Dunay necklaces, earrings and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
21st Century and Contemporary Henry Dunay Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Henry Dunay Objets d'Art and Vertu
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Henry Dunay Objets d'Art and Vertu
Yellow Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1800s American Late Victorian Antique Henry Dunay Objets d'Art and Vertu
14k Gold
Late 20th Century Retro Henry Dunay Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Henry Dunay Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1950s French Vintage Henry Dunay Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Henry Dunay Objets d'Art and Vertu
Ruby, Pearl, Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 14k Gold
1970s American Baroque Vintage Henry Dunay Objets d'Art and Vertu
20th Century Italian Henry Dunay Objets d'Art and Vertu
1950s British Retro Vintage Henry Dunay Objets d'Art and Vertu
Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Henry Dunay Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Silver
Late 17th Century Art Deco Antique Henry Dunay Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Henry Dunay Objets d'Art and Vertu
Yellow Gold
