Gold and diamond necklace, 'Tree of Life', Salvador Dali, Alemany and Ertman Inc, 1950s. Photo Sotheby's

Designed as a series of textured leaves on a branch highlighted at intervals with brilliant-cut diamonds, inner circumference approximately 370mm, one leaf to front signed Dali, clasp reverse signed Cop Alemany & Ertman Inc. Estimate 12,000-15,000 GBP. Lot Sold: 32,450 GBP

LITERATURE: Cf: Salvador Dali, 'Dali: a Study of His Art-in-Jewels', New York, 1959, page 40, for an example of his necklace 'the Tree of Life' set with sapphires and diamonds.

NOTE: 'My object is to show the jeweler's art in true perspective - where the design and craftsmanship are to be valued above the material worth of the gems.' Dali, 'A Study of His Art-in-Jewels'.After working with the jeweller Fulco di Verdura, Dali started working with Alemany and Ertman in 1949 producing some of his most famous jewels such as the melted watch from The Persistence of Memory (1931), realised as a brooch; and the ruby and pearl lips inspired by the actress Mae West.

Sotheby's. Fine Jewels. London | 14 Dec 2011 www.sothebys.com