Stars adorned themselves in emeralds, platinum, and myriad bird motifs, writes Associate Editor Natalie Francisco.
Sotheby’s Celebrates Spring with Floral Jewels New and Old
A special New York City exhibition will highlight 75 pieces of floral jewelry.
New York—A special exhibition at Sotheby’s New York will highlight the timelessness of the floral motif in jewelry design.
Opening Friday, “In Bloom” will present vintage pieces of floral jewelry from the likes of Tiffany & Co., Cartier and David Webb alongside modern renditions from contemporary independent brands such as Fernando Jorge and Irene Neuwirth.
The auction house partnered with Carol Woolton, an author, historian and British Vogue contributing director of jewelry, to curate the exhibition’s 75 pieces.
Specifically, Woolton penned “Floral Jewels from the World’s Leading Designers.” Released in 2014, the tome provided the seed of inspiration (pun intended) for “In Bloom.”
“Flowers are one of the ways we measure particular moments of our lives, and jewelry is another,” she said in a press release. “Small wonder that flowers are a recurring and significant theme in the oeuvre of the jewelry designer, arguably the greatest leitmotif in the history of jewels, cropping up time and again studied from every angle for inventiveness and brilliance of color to be reimagined in fresh forms to suit the prevailing whims of fashion.”
Items in the exhibition, which will be available for sale during and after its run, range from elegant 19th century Art Nouveau brooches and ear clips to bold retro jewels such as a Cartier gold and citrine chrysanthemum clip-brooch from the 1940s and a Van Cleef & Arpels gold, diamond, emerald and sapphire bracelet from the 1960s.
Contemporary works showcase several designers known for their nature-inspired signatures, from Cindy Chao, whose diamond and tsavorite rose earrings are featured, to Wendy Yue, who contributed an emerald, tsavorite, pink sapphire and diamond hollyhock ring and show-stopping rubellite, tsavorite, emerald, yellow sapphire, pink sapphire, and diamond hollyhock necklace.
Lydia Courteille, Jessica McCormack, Neha Dani, Alice Cicolini and Stephen Webster are just some of the other current jewelers represented in “In Bloom,” while Shaun Leane, Gimel and Bina Goenka each crafted pieces especially for the occasion.
Even the simplest floral interpretation of the bunch, a
Sotheby’s Luxury Division Sales Director, Frank Everett, said, “There is no design motif as enduring as the flower, and blooms of every species have inspired designers for as long as we’ve had jewelry. It has been my pleasure to work with Carol Woolton on this show to select beautiful examples, both vintage and contemporary, tracing the evolution of the floral jewel over past 150 years.”
The exhibition will take place in Sotheby’s New York’s renovated, expanded galleries May 3 to 24, concurrent with the impressionist and modern sale, and contemporary art sale.
“In Bloom” jewels range in price from $10,000 to $3 million.
The Latest
M.S. Rau is set to open a seasonal gallery in the high-end resort town early next month.
The branded jewelry market is thriving, said Richemont Chairman Johann Rupert.
Tradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
The six designers, all participants in the show’s Diversity Action Council mentorship program, will exhibit in Salon 634.
The “Venetian Link” series modernizes the classic Veneziana box chain in its bracelets and necklaces.
The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship will provide tuition assistance to two low-income students.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
The Swiss watchmaker said the company’s plans to use a new version of the Hallmark crown on jewelry would confuse consumers.
The executive talked about the importance of self-purchasers and how fuel cell electric vehicles are going to fuel demand for platinum.
The Indian jeweler’s new store in Naperville, Illinois marks its 350th location, part of its ongoing global expansion plans.
It will award a graduating high school student with about $10,000 toward a GIA diploma and an internship with the Seattle-based jeweler.
Wheat Ridge, Colorado police took a 50-year-old man into custody Wednesday following a two-month search.
PGI partnered with four new and seven returning designers for its annual platinum capsule collection.
Nicolosi, president and CEO of The Kingswood Company, previously sat on WJA’s board from 2011 to 2018.
Karina Brez’s race-ready piece is a sophisticated nod to the horse-rider relationship.
The men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
Concerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
May’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
The brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.