Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master JewelerA master of metamorphosis, Sicilian duke-turned-jewelry-designer Fulco di Verdura (1898-1978) studded seashells with precious gems, transformed sailor's knots into pearl-encrusted necklaces, and wrapped blazing ruby hearts with braided gold rope. Since the mid-20th century, his ultrasophisticated neo-Baroque pieces have been the status symbols of a near-secret society of European blue bloods, Hollywood royalty, and Park Avenue patricians. Verdura's by-appointment-only patrons included Wallis Simpson, Marlene Dietrich, and Diana Vreeland, who considered his Maltese Cross cuffs an essential part of her daily uniform.In this lavish book, featuring fresh color photographs as well as vintage images, Patricia Corbett presents a deft evaluation of Verdura's work and a glimpse inside his impossibly glamorous world. |
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American amethyst aquamarine Archives Edizioni Novecento artistic Baba Babe Paley ball baroque pearl Beaumont beauty blue bowknots bracelets brooch cabochon Cecil Beaton century Chanel clip Cole Porter color Condé Nast Publications costume Dalí David Behl decorated designed Diana Diana Vreeland dress Duchess Duke earclips Elsa Maxwell emeralds enamel Etienne de Beaumont Fabergé famous fashion Faucigny-Lucinge Flato French friends Fulco gems Giulio gold rope golden Harper's Bazaar heart inspired Italian jewelry jewels knots Lady Lampedusa later Leopard London Mainbocher Maltese cross Maria Felice miniature Misia motif mounted Natalie necklace Nicky de Gunzburg Niscemi objets Opposite ornaments painting pair Palazzo Verdura Palermo Paley pavé diamond Pecci Blunt pendant Photo by David pieces pink tourmaline platinum precious Prince Princess Renaissance ring Rothschild rubies salon Santostefano sapphires shell brooch Sicilian Sicily stars style topaz tourmalines turquoise Venice Verdura Villa Niscemi Vogue Paris Whitney wings yellow diamond York