Auction announcements
29th April 2014
Objects are regular taxed. Differential taxation is not possible.

18 carat yellow gold
USA, 1990s
Verdura – founded in New York in 1939
Signed VERDURA
Rhodolite garnets with a total of approximately 25.00 carats
Diamonds with a total of approximately 0.60 carats
In original signed light blue leather case
Diameter: 5.7 cm
Weight: 53.8 grams
Very good condition
Fulco di Verdura’s jewelry was favorite to the likes of Princess Diana or the fashion icon and designer Coco Chanel

This dazzling garnet and diamond Maltese cross brooch was made by Verdura in the 1990s. The design for the Maltese cross first established itself in the 1930s and took its inspiration from Byzantine mosaics. The polished yellow gold brooch set throughout with faceted oval rhodolite garnets and white diamond accents. The rhodolite garnets shimmer in a pinkish plum color and have an overall weight of approximately 25.00 carats.



The brooch is in very good condition. It is marked with the maker ‘VERDURA’. The diameter is 5.7 cm and it weighs 53.8 grams.



Verdura (founded 1939)

Fulco di Verdura (1898-1978) collaborated with fashion designers Schiaparelli and Chanel working in costume jewelry. In the early 1940s he moved to New York and broke with American design standards to set entirely new trends. He was one of the first designers to make it fashionable for diamonds to be worn both during the day and evening. He is also known as one of the first major designers of the 20th century to set colored stones in yellow gold, at a time when diamonds set in platinum was the safe choice. The result were many exceptional designs, including a series of brooches made of seashells encrusted with precious stones. Other enduring influences were Greek mythology, Christian iconography, medieval themes and most notably Byzantine patterns, which resulted in his famous Maltese cross cuffs. Verdura maintains a retail salon at 745 Fifth Avenue in New York City, where they offer vintage pieces as well as contemporary jewels produced from designs in their vast archive.