With its eight limbs, the octopus was an ingenious choice for a Chatelaine; a belt hook that carried small household items from its chains. Surviving records suggest that Gorham Manufacturing Company made two Octopus Chatelaines (this one is circa 1887).
Detail View
At least one of these devices was equipped by the factory with its attachments, including scissors, a knife, a vinaigrette (small decorative box), a tablet, a pin cushion, and a needle case. The back plate is marked with the Gorham trademark and stamped with the date letter for 1887. The Octopus and its chains are sterling silver and the eyes are surprisingly not polished garnets, but red glass.
Octopus Chatelaine Installation View
Photographed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
Raymond C. Yard (1885 – 1964) is considered to be one of the great Art Deco jewelers. After mastering the art of jewelry making at Marcus & Co., Yard opened his own shop at 607 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan in 1922. Between 1928 and 1933 he created a series of charming Rabbit Brooches, each of which differs slightly, featuring fine details of gold, diamonds, rubies and sapphires. That the Rabbit Waiter brooch (1930) serves alcoholic drinks during Prohibition adds a certain humor to the whimsy, which would have appealed to Yard’s high-society clientele.
Photographed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
This Red Bead Necklace was crafted from Bakelite (beads and chain links) cellulose acetate, with a metal clasp, and attributed to an unknown American designer. In the twentieth century, plastic manufacturing transformed the American jewelry industry and allowed for the production of fashionable yet affordable pieces. This chain link and cube necklace represents a style that was especially popular during the Depression era and the early 1940s.
Photographed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
This matching Bracelet and Brooch are composed of a vibrant rainbow of resin Lipsticks that humorously assert the decorative nature of cosmetic products. While both by Karl Lagerfeld and the jewelry designer Ugo Correani were known for their postmodern sampling of objects and ideas, the tendency to inflate scale in order to invest drama was a particular strength of Correani.
In the words of Lagerfeld, “He has a magic touch. No one can compare to him . . . He’s modern, not afraid to be oversized, but with the right eye for proportion.”
Photographed as part of the exhibit In Pursuit of Fashion: The Sandy Schreier Collection, on view through May 17th, 2020 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
One of the enduring legacies of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel was her elevation of costume jewelry to high fashion. Maison Gripoix, a house that has serviced the couture industry since its founding in 1869, was among her earliest and most frequent collaborators. The company’s specialized pate de verre (glass paste) technique was developed by the founder, Augustine Gripoix, and passed down generationally. Instead of the kiln method employed by other manufacturers, the house pours molten glass directly into the sophisticated metal settings that frame its designs. This meticulous an costly process allows for greater freedom of coloration and form, and lends a subtle effervescence to the floating glass components. This wreath of graduated translucent flower heads (circa 1938) was produced by Gripoix for Chanel and reflects the late 1930s vogue for romantic nature-based motifs.
Photographed as part of the exhibit In Pursuit of Fashion: The Sandy Schreier Collection, on view through May 17th, 2020 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
Summer is in full swing here in the city, and warm weather fashions mean you are showing off more skin. Maybe you are thinking that it’s the perfect time to enhance your summer looks with a few pieces of fine jewelry that you can continue to wear all year long. I know just the plce you should go: the John Hardy boutique on Prince Street in SoHo. Their jewelry is gorgeous and their sale staff is friendly an knowledgeable. Best of all, each piece of jewelry is handmade, so the quality is unmatched.
Established on the island of Bali in Indonesia in 1975, John Hardy is dedicated to the creation of ultimate beauty through artisan hand-crafted jewelry. Their master artisans honor original craft through the perfection of modern design, creating timeless one-of-a-kind pieces that are brilliantly alive.
Founder John Hardy, an artist and visionary, first visited Bali in the 1970s and was enchanted by the island’s sublime beauty. There, he founded an authentic collective with local artisans and, since inception, the company has remained passionately committed to community, artisanship and sustainability.
Each of John Hardy’s distinctive collections convey evocative symbolism and honor the transmission of creative energy from the artisan to the wearer. More than jewelry — an eternal connection to the source of inspiration. For the seekers, the explorers, the storytellers. Let’s take look at what a selection of the designs you’ll find at their store in SoHo.
Bamboo Collection Pendants in Gold with Diamonds
Precious and Tranquil, each piece in the Bamboo Collection reveals elegance and adaptability, and gives back through John Hardy’s“Wear Bamboo, Plant Bamboo” initiative, which ensures the planting of bamboo seedlings in Bali with each sustainable, luxury jewelry purchase, celebrating respect of the earth.
Bamboo Earrings and Rings With Faceted Gemstone
Top: Bamboo Chandelier Earrings with Polished Gemstones
Dot Chandelier Earrings in Hammered Gold
With no beginning and no end, the textured and symmetrical spheres of the Dot Collection epitomize boundless love and infinite possibility. For these earrings, the ancient technique of hand-hammering metal produces lustrous, textured surfaces with a hint of the exotic
Dot Cuff in Silver with Enamel, Dot Drop and Chandelier Earrings with Gemstones
Each tiny circle is applied by hand by dedicated artisans.
Legends Cobra Necklace and Bracelet
The Cobra shedding its skin is a powerful manifestation of the creative life force of reincarnation. Wear items in the Legends Cobra collection to invoke transformation, renewal and vitality.
Legends Cobra Drop Necklaces with Gemstones
Legends Cobra Drop Earrings and Rings
Legends Cobra Opal Ring (Detail)
Cuff with Faceted Gemstones
Legends Macan Pendent Necklace
The spirit of the Macan, or Tiger, is known for its ferocity and perseverance. Wear Legends Macan designs to be imbued with courage, strength and passion.
One-of-a-kind, Hand-hammered Silver Metal Clutch, Displayed with with Legends Macan Doorknocker Earrings
This unique clutch converts to a cross-body bag with an attachable chain strap, which is included.
Assorted Legends Macan Cuffs
Legends Macan Post Earrings (Top) and Rings
Classic Chain Bracelets for Men in Silver and Rubber
John Hardy also makes variety of jewellery styles just for men.
Assorted Mens Bracelets
Braided Chain Cuff-links and Cuff in Blackened Bronze
Mens Classic Dog Tag Necklaces in Assorted Finishes
There is really so much to see at the John Hardy Boutique, only a small fraction of which is shown in this post. It is almost like visiting jewelry museum.
Legends Macan Tassle Pendent with Amber Beads
Each friendly and informed associate can answer any question you have and is there to ensure that you choose a piece of jewelry that speaks to you. Why not plan to visit John Hardy today?
John Hardy Boutique is Located at 118 Price Street in SoHo, NYC. For other locations and more information on the Collections, please visit This Link!
