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LOT 15

TURQUOISE AND ROSE-CUT DIAMOND DEMI-PARURE

TURQUOISE AND ROSE-CUT DIAMOND DEMI-PARURE

France, c. 1900

Baroness Marie-Hélène de Rothschild was a French socialite, philanthropist, and member of the illustrious banking family, best known for her legendary flair as a hostess. She celebrated Marcel Proust’s centennial with a ball photographed by Cecil Beaton and attended her famed Dîner de Têtes Surréalistes wearing antlers adorned with pear-shaped diamond tears. Her jewelry collection reflected the same theatrical elegance, exemplified by this turquoise suite—a swag necklace and pendant earrings set in silver and gold and set with nearly 400 rose-cut diamonds. Her circle was as eclectic as her taste, including Audrey Hepburn, Andy Warhol, Yves Saint Laurent, and the Duchess of Windsor.

Craftsmanship

An antique turquoise and rose-cut diamond demi-parure, circa 1900 (composite), comprising a swag necklace and a pair of pendant earrings. Each piece is set with mixed-cut turquoise framed by rose-cut diamonds and accented with diamond-set floral motifs, all mounted in silver and gold. The necklace measures 15 inches with a 4-inch drop; the earrings have a 2¼-inch drop and are fitted with post and clip backs for pierced ears. The set contains approximately 400 rose-cut diamonds and 16 turquoise plaques of varying shapes. Marked with French gold and silver import marks. The gross weight is 232.3 grams.

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