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Bold 1980s Oversized Dominique Aurientis Paris Gilt Gold Elephant Clip Earrings
About the Item
A spectacular and highly sought-after pair of vintage French haute couture figural clip-on earrings, masterfully crafted by the celebrated Parisian designer Dominique Aurientis, circa 1980s. Captured in photos, these substantial and incredibly expressive statement earrings are modeled as majestic elephant heads with grand, sweeping ears, intricately detailed trunks, and long polished tusks. The textured surfaces beautifully showcase Aurientis' iconic craftsmanship, rendering the realistic folds of the skin and a commanding animalier presence.
Finished in a heavy, high-polished bright gold gilt plating over a solid metal base, the clips reflect ambient light with a brilliant radiance. The reverse side of each earring features a securely fastened comfort-clip mechanism and is stamped with a round cartouche bearing her signature hallmark: "Dominique Aurientis Paris". This magnificent pair is offered in very nice vintage condition, showing light, honest loss to the gold gilt finish at the very tips of the tusks, exposing the base metal beneath. This minor cosmetic wear does not detract from the immense structural beauty or wearability of the pieces. Channeling the peak of 1980s French runway glamour and sophisticated exoticism, they remain an essential statement addition for any luxury vintage jewelry collector.
Dominique Aurientis is widely celebrated as one of the most brilliant and innovative forces in the golden age of late 20th-century French costume jewelry. After sharpening her immense talents inside the world's most legendary haute couture houses—collaborating closely on runway jewelry lines for Christian Dior, Chanel, Givenchy, and Lanvin—she established her own eponymous Parisian luxury jewelry house in 1986. Her bold, architectural designs quickly became a favorite of the international jet set and high-fashion elite.
Aurientis' design vocabulary is deeply rooted in the natural world. She is renowned for creating massive, structurally heavy statement pieces featuring stylized leaves, textured acorns, sea life, and playful animalier/figural motifs. Her jewelry effortlessly balances the raw, tactile organic textures found in nature with the absolute refinement, heavy gold-gilt metalwork, and impeccable artisan quality of historic Parisian workshops. Highly collectible and intensely expressive, vintage Dominique Aurientis signatures continue to be actively coveted worldwide as enduring symbols of timeless Parisian runway luxury.
- Creator:Dominique Aurientis (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.88 in (7.32 cm)Width: 2.19 in (5.57 cm)Depth: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Hollywood Regency (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1986
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Fine condition, minor loss of gold gilt to tusk tips, backs of ears.
- Seller Location:St. Louis, MO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU820250905912
About the Seller
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Associations
20th Century Specialists
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