Flower watch bracelet, Van Cleef & Arpels, New York, 1950s, Montana sapphires, diamonds, 18k gold, and platinum

PITTSBURGH, PA.- The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is pleased to announce the opening of Luxe Life: Masterpieces of American Jewelry to coincide with the inauguration of the museum’s new Wertz Gallery: Gems and Jewelry on September 28, 2007.
The exhibit features three major tableaus in the museum’s newly installed Wertz Gallery that will house the museum’s permanent collections of gems and jewels as well as special exhibitions. These three major tableaus will feature masterpieces of American jewelry design spanning from the mid-19th century to the present by some of the country’s greatest jewelers and will be presented in specially created “natural” settings representing the flora, fauna, and celestial realms from which these important jewelry designers drew upon for inspiration.
Major pieces by historic American jewelers such as Tiffany & Company, Traebert-Hoeffer-Mauboussin, the Newark Group, and Cartier as well as individual master designers such as Paul Flato, Alexander Calder, Donald Claflin, David Webb, Paul Gillot, Tina Chow, and Fred Leighton. Many contemporary American jewelry designers are also featured including Nicholas Varney, Joel Arthur Rosenthal (JAR), Michele Oka Doner, Lynn Nakamura, Ricardo Basta, and Katey Brunni.
The history of American jewelry reflects the history of America itself. Key pieces featured in the exhibition range from the nature-inspired and patriotic jewelry of the late 19th century, to fashion and Hollywood influenced work of the mid 20th century to the most important American jewelry designers working today. The exhibition includes a spectacular Alexander Calder necklace and tiara as well as a Mauboussin bracelet that was once owned by Mae West. (Lire la suite http://www.artdaily.com/section/news/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=21633)

Sunflower Brooch, Nicholas Varney, 18k yellow gold with natural Mississippi pearls, carved peridot and yellow beryl leaves, center set with pavé of white diamonds, blue sapphires, and moonstones.