Fulco di Verdura apparently spared no expense in designing this dramatic brooch in the shape of a Chinese dragon. I would guess it's quite rare. Five years ago it was sold at Christie's for approximately three times its high estimate.
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**A MULTI-GEM AND DIAMOND DRAGON BROOCH, BY VERDURA
The dragon's body set with a cabochon turquoise and circular-cut yellow diamonds, with a fancy-cut sapphire mane and pavé-set diamond legs and head, enhanced by cabochon ruby eyes and a carved coral tongue, mounted in 18k gold and platinum, in a Verdura pale blue suede case
Signed Verdura
Price Realized
$66,000
Estimate
Sale Information
Sale 1675 Lot 196 Important Jewels 8 June 2006
New York, Rockefeller Plaza
Special Notice
Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.
Pre-Lot Text
THE PROPERTY OF A LADY
Literature
Patricia Corbett, Verdura: The life and work of a master jeweler, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 2002, page 139
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Here is a 1948 Verdura magazine ad featuring a different--more playful and mythical, rather than oriental--dragon design which retailed for $4,000:
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Advertisement from 1948 for a Verdura Mythical Dragon Brooch, $4,000
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1948-gold-pear-diamond-dragon-pin-photo-Verdura-jewelry-vintage-print-ad-/140670197700?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c098dfc4#ht_2130wt_1180 |
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A yellow and white diamond, ruby and black enamel dragon brooch by Verdura.
Image added April 13, 2013
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