Paul Flato’s flamboyant style was matched by his larger-than-life personality. He created daring and theatrical jewelry that challenged the conservative conventions of adornment. Works like his Bird of Paradise and Feather Quill brooches and his Seashell pocket watch exemplify his audacious style while reflecting his meticulous craftsmanship. His clients included celebrities such as French-American opera singer Lily Pons, American artist and socialite Gloria Vanderbilt and American actresses Joan Crawford and Mae West.
Flato was born in 1900 into a ranching family in Shiner, Texas. He later attended the University of Texas at Austin as a pre-med student, but soon shifted focus and enrolled at Columbia University in New York City to study economics. With the help of some well-connected friends — including one at Tiffany & Co. — he opened a jewelry store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.
His business steadily grew, and he sold over $1 million worth of jewelry by the time he was 27. While he had a great mind for unique ideas, he enlisted the talents of more experienced jewelers for support in drafting the pieces. In 1938, Flato opened a second store in Hollywood, California. His pieces were large and eye-catching, making them perfect for the camera.
In 1943, Flato’s jewelry career came to an abrupt halt with larceny charges for consigning a 17-carat diamond that went missing. When he was unable to pay the consignors, they pressed charges. Flato spent 18 months in Sing Sing prison. After his release, Flato he eased back into the trade by producing pens and compact cases for makeup. Poor financial decisions led again to his falling on the wrong side of the law and he fled to South America. He ended up serving four years in a Mexican prison before being sent back to the United States to serve a five-year sentence for grand larceny.
In 1970, Flato returned to Mexico and opened a boutique in Zona Rosa, Mexico City. He spent the last 20 years of his career there, fashioning bold and bright jewelry, inspired by the indigenous culture of the country.
In 1990, Flato moved back to Texas where he died in 1999. His outlandishly imaginative pieces remain in demand with collectors today.
On 1stDibs, enjoy the wondrous imagination of Paul Flato through his brooches, watches, bracelets and more.
Rare Paul Flato Imperio Mexicano 1866 One Peso Solid 18k Gold Pendant Watch
By Paul Flato
Located in St. Louis, MO
Paul Flato. An 18-karat gold and gilt 1866 Mexican Peso pendant watch. Signed Paul Flato, Imperio Mexicano, circa 1970 rare find with original Flato box!...
Gold
Tiffany & Co. Ladies 18-Carat Gold Watch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Elegant vintage Tiffany & Co. manual wind dress watch made with 18-karat yellow gold. It is slender and has a soft rectangular design.
Gold
$32,000Sale Price|50% Off
H 0.4 in W 2.76 in D 2.76 in
Van Cleef & Arpels Solid 750 Gold (18K) Vanity Case (129 grams - 4.6 oz)
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Gold toiletry case with embossed flowers, interior mirror, powder dispenser and hinged lid. Metal: Gold Origin: French Brand: Eagle Head Weight: 129.33 grams Dimensions:...
Gold
$36,000Sale Price|50% Off
H 1.58 in W 3.15 in D 1.58 in
CARTIER 18k Solid Gold Cylindrical Vanity Box, France, circa 1960
By Cartier
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Toilet box, in solid 18k gold, fluted with a hinged lid, with two cut-out compartments, CARTIER brand. Metal: Gold Origin: French Mark: Eagle head Weight: 111.34 gr Dime...
Gold
Rare Circa 1920’s Woman’s Rolex Watch Box Presentation Case
By Rolex
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage 1920’s intricate designed pressboard watch box is in excellent condition and is made with meticulous craftsmanship. Beautifully embossed top, reminiscent of tooled leath...
Leather, Wood
Boucheron 7.75 Diamond and 18K Gold Ladies Watch
By Boucheron
Located in Norwood, NJ
This exquisite 7.75 carat diamond Boucheron watch is both dazzling and dainty with its elegant, slim design accented by an array of sparkling diamonds. Boucheron ladies diamond oval/...
Gold
$342,115
H 3.55 in W 2.56 in D 0.6 in
Vacheron Constantin Ref. 92115, a very fine, unique 18K pink gold pocket watch
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in London, GB
Vacheron Constantin Ref. 92115, an extremely fine and unique 18K pink gold pocket watch Swiss-made, October 2001, Height 9cm, width 6.5cm, depth 1.5cm Open: height 9cm, width 13cm, d...
Gold
Barovier e Toso Book 184 Illustrations from 1866-1972
By Marina Barovier
Located in Sacile, PN
Barovier e Toso book by Marina Barovier 1993. 212 pages with 184 colored illustractions from 1866-1972.
Paper
$4,459
H 1.19 in W 1.58 in D 0.4 in
Rare 14ct Gold Pocket Watch by August Ericsson, St Petersburg, circa 1890
Located in Worcester, GB
Rare 14ct Gold Pocket Watch by August Ericsson, St Petersburg, circa 1890 A rare and finely made late 19th century gold pocket watch by August Ericsson (1842–1910), the highly regar...
Gold
Baume & Mercier Men's Calendar Watch in 18 kt Gold Vintage
By Baume & Mercier
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Baume & Mercier 18 kt Gold Vintage Men's Calendar Watch Beautiful Baume & Mercier 18 kt gold watch with tiger's eye dial and integrated calendar, lea...
Gold
$164,655
H 3.55 in W 2.56 in D 0.6 in
Parmigiani Fleurier, 'Nubia', Extremely Fine, Unique 18k Pink Gold Pocket Watch
Located in London, GB
Parmigiani Fleurier, 'Nubia' - an extremely fine and unique 18K pink gold pocket watch Swiss, Early 21st Century Measures: Height 9cm, width 6.5cm, depth 1.5cm Open: height 9.5cm,...
Onyx, Gold
$15,000 / item
H 7.69 in W 5.5 in D 1 in
DODGSON - Carroll. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. 1866 - FIRST LONDON EDITION
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DODGSON, Charles L. (Lewis Carroll). TITLE: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. PUBLISHER: London: Macmillan & Co., 1866. DESCRIPTION: FIRST LONDON EDITION. 1 vol., 7-11/16...
Leather
Tiffany & Co. by Paloma Picasso 18k Gold Rare Starburst Earrings
By Tiffany & Co., Paloma Picasso
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co. 18k yellow gold rare starburst earrings, designed by Paloma Picasso, with a beautiful, geometric design. They measure 1'' in diameter by 1/4'' in depth, weigh 10.5 grams (0.338 ozt), and bear hallmarks as shown. Sold in original Tiffany pouch. The legendary Tiffany brand was founded in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young in Connecticut as a "stationery and fancy goods emporium," with the help of Charles Tiffany's father who financed the store for only $1,000 with profits from a cotton mill. Tiffany & Co. soon became a highly regarded brand for jewelry, gemstones, and silver. In 1845, Tiffany was a pioneer when it launched the Blue Book, which at the time was the first mail-order catalog...
Gold