One of the great style icons of the 20th century, Tony Duquette (1914–99) created pieces with a singularly ebullient elegance. Through his private interior-decorating commissions and his work as a stage and movie-set designer, Duquette made his name synonymous with flamboyance, fantasy and glamorous originality.
Duquette was born in Los Angeles and studied at the Chouinard Art Institute. But his true education began in the mid-1930s, first as an assistant to an aging Elsie de Wolfe — the eminent interior designer who many say created the profession — and later as a colleague of William Haines, the famed movie-star-turned-decorator. Duquette’s clients would come to include many Hollywood luminaries — he decorated “Pickfair,” the fabled home of actress Mary Pickford, and homes for producer David O. Selznick and director Vincent Minnelli — and a robust roster of the rich and powerful, among them Doris Duke, J. Paul Getty, Norton Simon and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. All the while, Duquette was designing film and theater sets and costumes. He worked on such films as Kismet, Ziegfeld Follies and Can-Can; he won a Tony award in 1961 for costume design for the original Broadway production of Camelot.
Theatricality is the keynote of the best of Duquette’s designs. He made things that would get attention. Duquette was no purist — he appreciated the spare and sleek as much as the baroque and elaborate — but everything had to provide a visual effect, if not necessarily perform a function. Apart from the furnishings and objects he designed for his grandest decorating commissions, Duquette rarely used precious materials. “Beauty, not luxury, is what I value” was his often-repeated motto. Duquette pieces priced at $10,000 and above tend to be either intricately made or super-scaled or have an interesting ownership provenance. Most of his works are marked at about $5,000.
As you will see on 1stDibs, Tony Duquette created something for anyone who likes big-statement design — providing a showstopper for a lean, modernist decor or an alluring element in a lush, more-is-more interior. A Duquette design says: On with the show!
TONY DUQUETTE 18K Colombian Emerald 23.00 ct Pear Shape Emerald Hanging Earrings
By Tony Duquette
Located in Great Neck, NY
Extremely rare and highly sought after TONY DUQUETTE Columbian Emerald drop earring, An exceptional solid 18k (750 hallmark) pair of ear pendants featuring a beautiful whimsical desi...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tony Duquette Coral and Citrine Bracelet in 18 Karat
By Tony Duquette
Located in Carmel, CA
Tony Duquette Coral and Citrine Bracelet in 18K has a total weight of 100 carats of carved Coral and 109 carats of Citrine. Tony Duquette was a we...
Citrine, Coral, 18k Gold
Citrine, Tsavorite and Diamond Ring by Tony Duquette
By Tony Duquette
Located in Carmel, CA
Tony Duquette Citrine Ring in 18K features a magnificent carved Citrine weighing a total of 39.60 carats, Tsavorite Garnet pave weighing a total of 1.26 carats, and Diamond pave 'pro...
Citrine, Diamond, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
Tony Duquette 18k Yellow Gold Citrine Starburst Pendant Brooch
By Tony Duquette
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Citrine starburst pendant brooch, featuring pear, oval and square-shaped citrine set in 18k yellow gold. Hinged fold down pendant loop at top...
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950's Tony Duquette 18kt Yellow Gold Angel Brooch
By Tony Duquette
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A, Tony Duquette brooch originally the design was created for Elizabeth Duquette by her husband, using an antique lava carving technique, diamonds a...
Citrine, Jade, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Tony Duquette Moonstone, Mother-of-Pearl and Crystal Bracelet
By Tony Duquette
Located in Carmel, CA
This stunning Tony Duquette Moonstone, Mother of Pearl, and Crystal Bracelet has a total weight of 180cts Crystal, 150cts Mother of Pearl, and 16cts Moonstone. Tony Duquette was a ...
Crystal, Moonstone, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Tony Duquette Crowned Monkey Brooch or Pendant
By Tony Duquette
Located in Carmel, CA
This Fabulous Tony Duquette piece features a signature 'monkey' figure with a crown of Amethyst. Stones include: Two Oval and three Hexagon shaped Pink Tourmalines weigh 36.40 cara...
Amethyst, Citrine, Cultured Pearl, Yellow Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Tony Duquette Spectacular Large Size Smoke Topaz Gold Plated Bracelet
By Tony Duquette
Located in New York, NY
Designer:Tony Duquette Metal: Gold Condition: Excellent Year Of Manufacture: Circa 1940s Length: 8.45 inches Very Large Sized Stones. Total Item Weight: 253.2 g SKU#B-01787
HERMES Vintage 18kt yellow Gold Flower Brooch with serial numbers
By Hermès
Located in Aventura, FL
A rare and exquisite find, this vintage Hermès flower brooch from the 1960s–70s is masterfully crafted in 18kt yellow gold, featuring a graceful b...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Beaded Bracelet with Peach Moonstone, Gold and Bakelite
Located in Vannes, FR
Beaded Bracelet with Peach Moonstone, Gold and Bakelite. French Collection by Mesure et Art du Temps. French beaded bracelet accompanied by a peach moonstone, which measures 1cm. Th...
Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Diamond Amethyst Tsavorite Ring, Amethyst Cocktail ring, Tsavorite Ring, diamond
Located in Yorba Linda, CA
Diamond Amethyst Tsavorite Ring, Amethyst Cocktail ring, Tsavorite Ring, diamond Amethyst Jewelry, Diamond Tsavorite Jewelry Gross Weight 17.74gm 18...
Amethyst, Diamond, Tsavorite, 14k Gold, Silver
Paul Morelli Diamond Amethyst Bracelet Citrine Peridot 18K Gold
By Paul Morelli
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Authentic Morelli bracelet. It is crafted in solid 18K gold and set with genuine Earth mined gemstones: Peridot, Amethyst, and Citrine. Each colored gemstone measures 5mm. They are s...
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18kt gold Cammeo Pendant Brooch
Located in Capri, IT
18kt gold Cammeo Pendant Brooch Dama cammeo pin that can be used as a pendant too totally handmade in italy
18k Gold
Yianni Creations 18 Karat Gold Bangle Bracelet with Citrine
By Yianni Creations
Located in Astoria, NY
This bracelet from Yianni Creations is all handmade in Greece from 18 Karat Gold and set with 1.75 Carat Citrine. The unique look is created by using ancient techniques of craftsmanship - brushed texture and nature-inspired liquid edges. For a full selection of Yianni Creations (YC) jewelry please visit our storefront here on 1stdibs – Yianni Creations Inc...
Citrine, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
$1,220 / item
W 0.23 in L 7.5 in
8.2 ct Round Cut Coral Station Chain Bracelet Studded in 18K Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Bracelets are worn to enhance the look. Women love to look good. It is common to see a woman rocking a lovely gold bracelet on her wrist. A gold gemstone bracelet is the ultimate sta...
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,125Sale Price|25% Off
Ruby Bracelet Studded in 18 Karat Rose Gold
By GEM PLAZA
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
This is an elegant ruby bracelet features 58 pieces of princess cut rubies 9.27 carat in the channel setting, this bracelet entirely made in 18 karat rose gold weight 10.85 grams, th...
Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Colombian Emerald Diamond Platinum 18K Dangle Earrings
By Emeralds Maravellous
Located in US
Delicate and very well handcrafted platinum and 18 karat yellow gold dangle earrings feature a top part of the earrings worked in platinum with sparkly round brilliant cut diamonds. ...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
BULGARI Diamond and Mother of Pearl Serpenti Viper Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
An iconic 2-coil bracelet stylizing a snake by Bulgari from the "Serpenti" collection. Structured in 18K with alternating brilliant-cut diamonds and white mother-of-pearl plaques sha...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Tsavorite Diamond Interlocking Claw Ring
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
Handcrafted in 18K and sterling silver. It is set in 1.25 carat tsavorite and 1.90 carat diamonds. Wear this dramatic piece to add edge to feminine cocktail outfits. This ring has a ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Tsavorite, Yellow Gold, Vermeil, Rhodium, Silver
$103Sale Price|20% Off
Juliana Style Aurora Borealis Crystal and Frosted Moonstone Bracelet, 1960s
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - 7" length - .75" width - Gold tone - Aurora borealis (AB) crystal rhinestones - Prong set frosted faux moonstone cabochons - Fold over clasp closure - In the ...
Tony Duquette 1960s Amethyst Carved White Coral 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
By Tony Duquette
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a cushion shaped amethyst cabochon measuring 10.5 x 10.5 mm - transparent medium purple. Bezel set atop a cushion shaped coral - carved with fluted ridges fully around. Tra...
Amethyst, Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tony Duquette Massive Geometric Cocktail Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold 85cts Citrine
By Tony Duquette
Located in Miami, FL
Bold geometric ring designed by Tony Duquette (1914-1999). A rare and gorgeous vintage piece, created by the American designer Tony Duquette, back in the 1980's. This cocktail ring was carefully crafted, with geometric semi-curved seven sides...
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tony Duquette Coral Fluorite 18 Karat Yellow Gold Substantial Vintage Bracelet
By Tony Duquette
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bracelet is comprised of oval cut fluorite and coral cabochons prong set in meshed gold baskets. Fluorite is transparent bluish-green in color with medium to light saturation and nat...
Coral, Fluorite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tony Duquette Gold Cabochon Emerald Cross Pendant
By Tony Duquette
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Natural emerald cabochon cross pendant/pin by Tony Duquette. Cross is bezel set with ten cushion-shaped, sugarloaf cabochon-cut, natural emeral...
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Amethyst and Diamond Ring by Tony Duquette
By Tony Duquette
Located in Carmel, CA
Tony Duquette Amethyst and Diamond Ring in 18K features a total Amethyst weight of 72 carats accented with Diamond pave. Size 7 1/2. **This ring may be resized to fit after purchase...
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold
Tony Duquette Gold Moonstone Bicolor Tourmaline Necklace
By Tony Duquette
Located in New York, NY
We were hesitant to title this item simply a necklace when it's actually a fashion statement all on its own. Twelve green and pink tourmaline fragments rise from the stone's birthi...
Moonstone, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Tony Duquette Citrine, Aquamarine and Peridot Ring in 18 Karat Gold
By Tony Duquette
Located in Carmel, CA
Tony Duquette Citrine, Aquamarine and Peridot Ring in 18K Gold. This amazing jewel has a total weight of 17 carats of Citrine, 11 carats of...
Tony Duquette Ruby Diamond Pink Tourmaline Drop Earrings
By Tony Duquette
Located in New York, NY
Dramatic Tony Duquette drop earrings of 18K gold set with large cabochon rubies, diamonds and pink tourmalines, 1 1/16 in x 2 3/4, with hinged pier...
Diamond, Ruby, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Tony Duquette Extraordinary Abalone Quartz Frog Motif Necklace
By Tony Duquette
Located in New York, NY
Tony Duquette Extraordinary Abalone Quartz Frog Motif Necklace A one of a kind 13'' long flexible collar set with mauve abalone shell, pate de verre, stain...
Gold Plate
Tony Duquette Extraordinary Amethyst Quartz Nephrite Necklace
By Tony Duquette
Located in New York, NY
Tony Duquette Extraordinary Amethyst Quartz Nephrite Necklace Tony Duquette one of a kind masterpiece collar set with patterned quartz slices surmoun...
Agate, Gold Plate
Tony Duquette Extraordinary Fossil Agate Citrine Necklace
By Tony Duquette
Located in New York, NY
Tony Duquette Extraordinary Fossil Agate Citrine Necklace. A Tony Duquette one of a kind masterpiece collar set with fossil agates of matching shades, amber, fossil pendants...
Agate, Gold Plate
Sold
W 1.63 in L 1.75 in
Tony Duquette Coral Turquoise Amethyst and Peridot Gold Statement Clip Earrings
By Tony Duquette
Located in Montreal, QC
Sensational Coral Turquoise Amethyst Peridot Earrings; hand crafted in 18k Gold by Tony Duquette, Designer Extraordinaire! 1.75" long x 1.63"; wide; signed: TONY DUQUETTE 18K; Turquo...
Amethyst, Coral, Peridot, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Gold