Verdura Gold Curb Link Necklace
View Similar Items
Verdura Gold Curb Link Necklace
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Place of Origin:Italy
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2000
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1641215084892
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.
- Cartier Yellow Gold, Emerald and Onyx 'Maillon Panthère' NecklaceBy CartierLocated in New York, NYThe Cartier Gold, Emerald, and Onyx 'Maillon Panthère' Necklace is a striking testament to Cartier's artistry. Featuring a blackened gold panther with emerald eyes and an onyx nose, ...Category
1990s French Link Necklaces
MaterialsEmerald, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 18 Karat White Gold Diamond Riviera NecklaceLocated in New York, NYThis necklace features 14.36 carats of G VS diamonds set in 18K white gold. 35.1 grams total weight. 7.5 inch drop. Made in Italy. Viewings available in our NYC showroom by appoint...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
- Cartier, 18k Yellow Gold and Diamond 'Maillon Panthère' Necklace, 2000By CartierLocated in New York, NYThis Cartier 'MAILLON PANTHÈRE' necklace features 18K yellow gold and 1.20 carats of round brilliant diamond cut diamonds. 16 inches inner circumference. Gross weight: 49.25 dwt. St...Category
Early 2000s French Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
- Cartier White Gold and Diamond 'Panthere' Tyrana' NecklaceBy CartierLocated in New York, NYRound diamonds, 18k white gold (French mark), circa 1996, signed Cartier, numbered Cartier, 1996: Certificate of Authenticity Diamonds: 48 round with total weight of 1.12 carats Colo...Category
1990s French Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Diamond Flower NecklaceLocated in New York, NYThis Buccellati style 18K yellow and white gold diamond flower necklace features 22.57 carats of G VS diamonds . 1/2 inch width and 6.5 inch drop. 64.4 grams total weight. Made in It...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- 18 Karat White Gold and Diamond Flower Riviera NecklaceLocated in New York, NYThis necklace features 17.12 carats of G VS diamonds set in 18K white gold. 35 grams total weight. 7.5 inch drop. Made in Italy. Viewings available in our NYC showroom by appointment.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Yellow Gold Crisscross Link NecklaceLocated in Palm Desert, CA18 Karat Yellow Gold Crisscross Link Necklace. This stunning heavyweight 17mm wide necklace is a true statement piece, the design is reminiscent of a Tiffany & Co. "X" collar neckla...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Artisan Link Necklaces
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Large Yellow Gold Link NecklaceLocated in Poitiers, FRNecklace in 18 carat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. This solid gold necklace is composed of large long articulated links that are domed on the upper surface. The clasp is incorpo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Link Necklaces
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 18K Yellow Gold Curb Link 2 Piece NecklaceLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis magnificently crafted 18K yellow gold two piece necklace is comprised of one 18 inch length, connected by a hidden clasp, to one 16 inch choker. The choker has one white gold link that is pave set with assorted diamonds weighing an approximate total of 1.50ct. The diamonds are of overall F/G color and VS1 clarity. The 18 inch length is made up of twenty four links, and the choker length is made up of twenty one links. Each of the combined forty two links measure 1 1/8 inches long by 7/8 inches wide. Each necklace has an invisible clasp...Category
Late 20th Century German Modern Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 14k Gold Curb Link Diamond NecklaceLocated in Great neck, NY14K GOLD CURB LINK DIAMOND NECKLACE - Diamond Weight: 1.90 ct. - Diamond Count: 312 - Gold Weight: 27.07 grams (approx.) - Necklace Length: 16 inches Th...Category
20th Century Chinese Contemporary Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 14k Gold
- French 1960s 18 Karat Yellow Gold Retro Curb Chain NecklaceLocated in Poitiers, FRNecklace in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle and rhinoceros heads hallmarks . Timeless antique gold necklace, it consists of slightly curved links and articulated between them. The attach...Category
Vintage 1950s French Retro Choker Necklaces
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Yellow Gold Polished Collar Link NecklaceLocated in Coral Gables, FL14 Karat Yellow Gold Polished Y Link Collar Necklace Measuring 16 Inches Long. Hidden Clasp With Figure 8 Safety. Finished Weight is 32.3 Grams.Category
Vintage 1980s Choker Necklaces
Materials14k Gold, Yellow Gold