Top

A lady with a love for literature and shiny things discusses books & bling.

You are here: Home / Archives for Art Deco

Art Deco sapphire and diamond necklace, Cartier.

This necklace is delicate and simple but I think it’s exceptionally beautiful.

Late Art Deco sapphire and diamond necklace by Cartier, circa 1930. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Cartier, New York, created this lovely piece in 1930. The design is foliate – the necklace centers on two undulating diamond-set branches sprouting carved sapphire leaves and diamond berries. The rest of the necklace is composed of circular-cut diamonds, interspersed by cabochon sapphires.

The center of the necklace is a sapphire-embellished buckle-shaped element; its square outline adds a geometric foil to the organic fluidity of the branches, leaves, and berries.

Detail view; a late Art Deco sapphire and diamond necklace by Cartier, circa 1930. Via Diamonds in the Library.

The combination of shape and color contrast in this piece is utter Art Deco perfection. The white diamonds interspersed with blue and the organic, softly twining branches and leaves set against the perfectly round diamonds and sapphires of the necklace and the geometric elements at the apex and clasp. I could look at this baby all day.

This piece was listed in Sotheby’s April 2013 Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite sale. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

 A stunning late Art Deco sapphire and diamond necklace by Cartier, circa 1930. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Art Deco platinum and diamond sautoir by Cartier.

I just love this photo Sotheby’s took of this sautoir on its own authenticity certificate:
Glorious Art Deco sautoir by Cartier, circa 1924. With 13 old cut diamonds (37.75 cts), a 4.65 ct diamond, and a lavalliere with 7 old cut diamonds (37.05 cts) and a 22.30 ct extender.

Just look at it lounging there. “Yeah, that’s me.”

Cartier made this glorious necklace in 1924 and is designed as a series of openwork oval and bell-shaped links set with 13 old European-cut and cushion-shaped diamonds totaling approximately 37.75 carats. (See? Impressive already.) The necklace centers a a larger cushion-shaped diamond weighing approximately 4.65 carats. Dangling from the largest center diamond is a lavalliere pendant set with 7 cushion-shaped and old European-cut diamonds which total approximately 37.05 carats.

Art Deco sautoir by Cartier, circa 1924. With 13 old cut diamonds (37.75 cts), a 4.65 ct diamond, and a lavalliere with 7 old cut cut diamonds (37.05 carats) and a 22.30 carat extender.

Sotheby’s refers to it as a “sautoir with a lavalliere pendant,” although I though sautoirs were typically longer than this – it’s only 15 inches. Or so I thought, until I read the description more closely. The necklace was extended by a later date through the addition of a 12.5 inch extender. The extender, which is separated into three parts, is set with an additional 13 cushion-shaped and old European-cut diamonds weighing approximately 22.30 carats. You can tell by looking at the top of the piece that part of it is slightly different.

Detail; an Art Deco sautoir by Cartier, circa 1924. With 13 old cut diamonds (37.75 cts), a 4.65 ct diamond, and a lavalliere with 7 old cut diamonds (37.05 cts) and a 22.30 ct extender.

This incredible thing was listed in Sotheby’s December 2011 Magnificent Jewels auction. It is the proud holder of a Sotheby’s record for auction price. It went for a very respectable $1,650,500.

All images and info thanks to Sotheby’s.

 

Art Deco emerald and diamond dinner ring.

This little guy is pretty delicate for a dinner ring and I’m a big fan. I love pieces with mixed metals – there’s something so soft and beautiful about the contrast of platinum and gold.

Art Deco emerald and diamond dinner ring in platinum and gold. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Lovely, yes? It was made in 1920, which makes it a very early Art Deco piece. You can sort of tell, with the rounded Edwardian character of the edges combined with the geometric Art Deco elements of the other parts of the design, like the shape contrast of the round diamonds framing the emerald-cut emerald. The setting is platinum and 14 k gold. The “curvaceous” diamond-set plaque is 3/4 of an inch long.

Alternate view - Art Deco emerald and diamond dinner ring in platinum and gold. Via Diamonds in the Library.
The sides of the ring are simple, but you can see the shoulders are adorned with a single diamond each and there is a bit of delicate openwork in the undergallery.
Alternate side view - Art Deco emerald and diamond dinner ring in platinum and gold. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This ring was sold to some extremely lucky person at Lang Antiques and is currently listed in their archive. All images and info are thanks to Lang.

Art Deco emerald and diamond dinner ring in platinum and gold. Stunning from every angle. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Follow along with me on Instagram