1980s Verdura Diamond Gold Starburst Earrings
View Similar Items
1980s Verdura Diamond Gold Starburst Earrings
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: TTOO 9-161stDibs: LU691965303
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.
- 1980s Marina B Gold EarringsBy Marina BLocated in Beverly Hills, CABold, volumetric earrings created by Marina B in Italy in the 1980's. Chic and wearable, you can wear them day and night. They are made of yellow and white gold and that allows you t...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsWhite Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
- Vintage Wander Yellow Gold Earrings France Clip-On, 1980sBy WanderLocated in Beverly Hills, CAChic and wearable earrings created by Wander, Paris in the 1980s. Made in France of 18 karat yellow gold. Measurements: 1 x 1/2 inches (2.5 x 1.3 cm) Weight 22.7 grams. Stamped with ...Category
Vintage 1980s French Clip-on Earrings
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage 1980s Yellow White Gold Diamond BraceletLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage (c. 1980s) 18k gold and diamond bracelet. Made of 18k yellow gold convex lens shapes connected by 18k white gold and diamond links. Diamonds are round brilliant cut, G-H colo...Category
Vintage 1980s Retro Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage Diamond Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet, 1980sLocated in Beverly Hills, CAElegant and wearable bracelet. Made of 18 karat (tested) yellow gold and set with round brilliant cut diamonds (H-I color and VS clarity, total weight is approximately 0.30 carat). ...Category
Vintage 1980s Unknown Bangles
MaterialsWhite Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage Pomellato Earrings Diamond 18k Gold Clip-On Estate JewelryBy PomellatoLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage Pomellato earrings made of 18 karat gold and accented with diamond. The vintage earrings are designed as two cut off pieces of a curb link chain. Each earring is crafted fro...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
- Mario Buccellati Diamond Earrings 18k Gold Vintage Italian Estate JewelryBy Mario BuccellatiLocated in Beverly Hills, CAA pair of vintage Mario Buccellati diamond earrings, made in 18k white and yellow gold. These airy earrings are crafted from twisted gold wire that are part of an openwork design. The wire is crisscrossed inside an oval gold shape to create a rhombus pattern. Each rhombus has a white gold element to stage a diamond. These vintage diamond earrings are designed in a classic Buccellati’s style: lacy, delicate, and sophisticated. They are big and sparkly yet are not loud. It’s a perfectly balanced example of exquisite Buccellati workmanship. The vintage earrings are made of 18 karat yellow gold and white gold and encrusted with round brilliant cut diamonds (G-H color, VS clarity, approximately 2.30 carats total weight). The earrings measure 1" x 7/8" (2.7 x 2.2 cm) and weigh 12.8 grams. They are stamped with Mario Buccellati maker's mark, Italian hallmark, hallmark for 18 karat gold, country of manufacture. About Buccellati Brand: Mario Buccellati (1891-1965) established the first brand’s store in Milan in 1919. Poet Gabriele D’Annunzio titled Buccellati “the Prince of Goldsmiths” because of jeweler’s extraordinary talent of turning gold and silver into luxury art objects. Through the years this talent has been the core of the Buccellati’s style. In 1966, Gianmaria Buccellati (1929-2015) with his brother, Luca, took over the family business after their father's death. Today the House is led by third- and fourth generation Buccellati, Honorary President and Creative Director Andrea Buccellati and his daughter, Lucrezia Buccellati Wildenstein. Buccellati design is highly recognizable due to multiple engraving and piercing techniques applied to the pieces. Texture of gold recreating the look of Venetian lace, linen and tulle created by handmade Italian techniques inherited through generations. The world of flora and fauna is a big source of inspiration for creating famous Buccellati brooches. Weightless Buccellati butterfly brooch...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
- Vintage Statement Pearl Starburst Earrings 1980sLocated in Wilmslow, GBA stunning pair of Vintage Pearl Starburst Earrings. A large lustrous gilded starburst is adorned with timeless pearls. A mesmerising style st...Category
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
- 1980s Gold EarringsLocated in New York, NYPair of vintage, circa 1980s 14k yellow gold earrings. Measuring 1" x 7/8". Weight - 22.7 grams. Not hallmarked.Category
20th Century Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsGold
- 1980s Yellow Gold EarringsLocated in Geneva, CH1980S Yellow Gold 18k Earrings. Etruscan Revival. Made in GREECE.Category
Vintage 1980s Greek Etruscan Revival Clip-on Earrings
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage D'orlan Gold Starburst with Blue Diamante Earrings Circa 1980sLocated in New York, NYVintage D'orlan Gold Starburst with Blue Diamante Earrings Circa 1980s. These earrings look so chic due to its juxtaposition with the gold and then the blue set in silver tone metal ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsMixed Metal
- 1980s Gold and Diamond Pave EarringsLocated in New York, NYAn elegant pair of pavé diamond earrings crafted in 18k yellow gold with foliate design. Made in America, circa 1980.Category
Vintage 1980s American Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Gold
- Gold Platinum Diamond Earrings by VerduraBy VerduraLocated in Austin, TXA beautiful and classic pair of Verdura 18k yellow gold and platinum set diamond clip earrings. The total diamond weight is 1.0 carats. The total earring weight is 24.1 grams. ...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Platinum