While having my coffee this morning and going around on Instagram, I have stumbled into a Jewellery blog, apparently award winning for what ever reason. Really , not particularly my stuff to be interested in. But I went along to have a look . A lot of nice pictures of extravagant jewellery that I would never wear, and suddenly something caught my attention.
A bracelet, the Theodora Cuff.
A bracelet, the Theodora Cuff.
There is a whole history behind it . The “Theodora” motif on the cuff marks the beginning of Verdura’s career as a jewellery designer and his earliest collaboration with Coco Chanel. In 1930, Verdura, with Chanel as his muse, shattered the status quo in 20th century jewellery design.
Inspired by the Byzantine mosaic of Empress Theodora at the Italian Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Verdura and Chanel set out to break the rules of popular style.
Inspired by the Byzantine mosaic of Empress Theodora at the Italian Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Verdura and Chanel set out to break the rules of popular style.
Records don’t indicate whether Fulco Santostefano della Cerda, Duke of Verdura, was a name-dropper, but the aristocratic Sicilian jewellery designer certainly ran with an illustrious crowd. From Chanel, Diaghilev, Dietrich, Dali, Garbo and de Gunzburg, right through to Millicent Rogers, Babe Paley, Andy Warhol and Diana Vreeland, the brightest stars of the beau monde were not merely friends, but collaborators and collectors of his grand scale, explosively bold jewellery. The Duke retired in 1973 and died five years later, but neither the company nor the glamour quotient has dimmed in the least. (See photos of Princess Diana, Sofia Coppola, Carolina Herrera…)
The gifted aristocrat loved to draw and hoped to become a painter in Paris. Paris during the 'twenties was filled with talented people, such as the writers, F.Scott Fitgerald and Hemingway and Russian emigres.
The gifted aristocrat loved to draw and hoped to become a painter in Paris. Paris during the 'twenties was filled with talented people, such as the writers, F.Scott Fitgerald and Hemingway and Russian emigres.
Coco Chanel’s notorious Byzantine inspired Maltese Cross cuffs, which she wore relentlessly as an interminable fixture around both wrists, were crafted by her accomplice and good friend, Sicilian aristocrat, Duke Fulco di Verdura. The two met at a social gathering hosted by Linda and Cole Porter in Venice in 1925, and quickly established a business affiliation and an immediate closeness. Fulco is credited with helping Coco turn her somewhat outmoded accessories into eternal jewels desired by many for years to come.
Soon he was also designing jewellery for her, including her signature bracelets with gold Maltese crosses set with bright cabochons. Chanel didn't like delicate, ethereal jewellery and Verdura's brightly coloured, flamboyant, large pieces were much more to her taste. "A jewel should not be meager," Chanel remarked.
Fulco’s infatuation and uttermost adoration of Renaissance art is unmistakably recognized in his nonconformist jewelry collections. He often collaborated with prominent artists of his time, like Salvador Dali. Their 1941 joint collection based on surrealism was applauded by the critics and showcased in an art gallery in New York that same year to long lineups of avid fans.
Soon he was also designing jewellery for her, including her signature bracelets with gold Maltese crosses set with bright cabochons. Chanel didn't like delicate, ethereal jewellery and Verdura's brightly coloured, flamboyant, large pieces were much more to her taste. "A jewel should not be meager," Chanel remarked.
Fulco’s infatuation and uttermost adoration of Renaissance art is unmistakably recognized in his nonconformist jewelry collections. He often collaborated with prominent artists of his time, like Salvador Dali. Their 1941 joint collection based on surrealism was applauded by the critics and showcased in an art gallery in New York that same year to long lineups of avid fans.
It was Fulco’s ability to work with unique color compositions and illustrious shapes that captivated the high society worldwide. The next logical step was a store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, which opened its doors to the public in September of 1939.
To come back to my idea and to my morning coffee, I almost chocked when I have seen the price of the famous Theodora Cuff. Celebrating 75 years of style with the introduction of the rare, limited edition of 200 pieces, sold in pairs or individually, engraved with a number and "Verdura New York, 1939" $97,500 each.
Altho, I was not aware that the bracelet is such a big deal of creation and the stones are actually real. My first reaction was, "wow, that's so nice" and my last was "wow, that is not for me". Still , I am thinking, if I would afford this kind of treats , would I actually spend so much money for a jewel or I would send the money to Africa ?