Attempted Bloggery: Verdura Dragon Brooch

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.

**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

Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyer’s or seller’s credits.

Estimate

$15,000 - $20,000

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

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/a-multi-gem-and-diamond-dragon/4715564/lot/lot_details.aspx?from=searchresults&pos=8&intObjectID=4715564&sid=903d4c63-583b-4037-b623-21240ebab144&page=3

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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: