Verdura Lace South Sea Pearl Diamond Platinum Earclips
View Similar Items
Verdura Lace South Sea Pearl Diamond Platinum Earclips
About the Item
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.
- Verdura White And Black South Sea Pearl Diamond Ear ClipsBy VerduraLocated in New York, NYA pair of diamond, white & grayish South sea pearl earrings, signed Verdura. Circa 1990s Pearl approx. 15mm and diamond weight approx. 5 cts.Category
1990s Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
- Verdura Diamond 18k Gold Platinum Primrose EarclipsBy VerduraLocated in New York, NYCapture Spring Elegance with Verdura Diamond and 18k Gold Primrose Earclips Embrace the timeless beauty of nature with this exquisite pair of Verdura diamond and 18k gold primrose earclips. These earrings, crafted by the iconic jewelry house renowned for its bold and botanical designs, are a true testament to Verdura's legacy of innovation and craftsmanship. Imagine the delicate sparkle of diamonds nestled within the graceful form of a primrose flower, meticulously sculpted from rich 18k yellow gold. The platinum accents add a touch of cool sophistication, ensuring a comfortable and secure wear. These Verdura earclips...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
- 18 K Gold Baroque South Sea Pearls Diamonds Green Sapphire Peridot EarclipLocated in Zurich, ZollstrasseA pair of very lovely 18 K white and yellow Gold earclips featuring 2 white baroque South Sea Pearls surronded by 124 brilliant cut Diamonds, G color, vs clarity, 8 fancy cut green S...Category
2010s Unknown Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, South Sea Pearl, Peridot, Green Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White...
- Large Diamond South Sea Pearl Platinum Flower Clip on EarringsLocated in Miami, FLThese are statement pieces for the empowered woman. Crafted in solid platinum, centered with two 12.5 mm South pearls, high luster & pinkish silver undertones. flanked by a cluster ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Retro Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
- Platinum South Sea Pearl and 4.23 Carat Diamond EarringsLocated in New York, NYElegant South Sea pearl earrings in platinum with round brilliant diamonds. Collapsible posts suitable for pierced and non pierced ears. Pearls measure 12.6×12.7mm. Diamond weight: 4...Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
- Diamond South Sea Pearl 14 Karat Gold Circle Drop Dangle Earclip EarringsLocated in Boca Raton, FLSouth Sea pearl and diamond drop earrings handcrafted in 14 karat yellow gold. The earrings feature 4 round brilliant cut diamonds and 2 South Sea pearls. The diamonds weigh approxim...Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Drop Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold