Lot 175
Elsa Peretti (Italian, 1940-2021). Silver "Starfish Necklace" n.d. Marked "STERLING," "SPAIN," "PERETTI," and "TIFFANY & CO." on clasp and "SPAIN," "EP," "T & CO," and "(C)" on verso of the central starfish pendant. The iconic sterling silver Starfish Necklace designed by the renowned Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. The stunning strand is comprised of 3 slender starfish, each boasting Peretti's classic organic yet sumptuous style and conjoined by a single outstretched arm. As described by Tiffany's, "The starfish evokes life beneath the waves and in the celestial heavens." Arguably the most successful woman ever to work in the jewelry field, Elsa Peretti revolutionized the industry with her biomorphic designs inspired by everything from bone fragments to pebbles. These whimsically elegant starfish exemplify both her fascination with nature and knack for style. This necklace's ergonomic sensuality and empowering aesthetic are sure to make you the star of any occasion - sky, land, or sea! Size: 18.5" L (47 cm); silver quality: 92.5%; weight: 9.8 grams
Born and raised in Rome, Florence, and Switzerland, Peretti was determined to forge her own path from that of her wealthy, conservative family. She began her working life at 23 as an Italian teacher and ski instructor, before moving to Milan to pursue a degree in interior design and an apprenticeship with the architect Dado Torrigiani. After just a year, she changed course again and started modeling, first in Barcelona and then in New York City. She quickly fell into New York's inner circle of fashion girls, becoming one of designer Halstons favorite models alongside other household names of the late '70s scene, including Angelica Huston, Pat Cleveland, and Karen Bjornson, and eventually joining Andy Warhol's Studio 54 crowd. At the suggestion of Halston, she eventually began designing sculptural silver jewelry crafted to encase and highlight the liquid curves of the female form. The designer began working with Tiffany & Co. in 1974 and over time her pieces came to account for about 10% of the companys sales. She was named the company's lead jewelry designer in 1979. Peretti's works are now held in the permanent collections of many important museums such as the British Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
Tiffany & Co.'s "About" page for the artist reads, "The arrival of Elsa Peretti at Tiffany & Co. in 1974 signaled a revolution in jewelry design. On the day her first collection debuted, it sold out and elevated sterling silver to luxury status overnight. A true pioneer of design, her unique creations had a never-before-seen organic aesthetic
Having forever changed the way women wear jewelry, Perettis legacy will remain constant source of inspiration."
History of Tiffany & Co: "Founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany and Teddy Young in New York City in 1837 as a 'stationery and fancy goods emporium,' the store initially sold a wide variety of stationery items, and operated as Tiffany, Young & Ellis in Lower Manhattan.
The name was shortened to Tiffany & Co. in 1853 when Charles Tiffany took control, and the firm's emphasis on jewelry was established. Tiffany & Co. has since opened stores in major cities all over the world. Unlike other stores at the time in the 1830s, Tiffany clearly marked the prices on its goods, as there would be no haggling for the price. In addition, against the social norm at the time, Tiffany only accepted cash payments, and did not accept payments on credit.
The first Tiffany's mail order catalog, known as the 'Blue Book,' was published in 1845 in the United States and it is still being published today. In 1862, Tiffany & Co. supplied the Union Army with swords (Model 1840 Cavalry Saber), flags and surgical implements. In 1867, Tiffany & Co. was the first US firm to win an award for the excellence in silverware at the Exposition Universelle in Paris. In 1877, an insignia that would become the famous New York Yankees 'NY' logo was struck on a medal of honor by Tiffany & Co. and issued to the first NYC police officer shot in the line of duty. The Yankees adopted the logo in 1909. In 1878, Tiffany won the gold medal for jewelry and a grand prize for silverware at the Paris Exposition, which gave the Tiffany name added prestige. In 1868, Tiffany was incorporated. In 1887, Tiffany bought the French Crown Jewels which attracted publicity and further solidified the Tiffany brand's connection to quality diamonds. The company revised the Great Seal of the United States in 1885. In 1902, after the passing of Charles Lewis Tiffany, his son, Louis Comfort Tiffany became the company's first official Design Director." (Source: raresterling.com)
Provenance: private Broomfield, Colorado, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
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#183068
- Condition: Marked "STERLING," "SPAIN," "PERETTI," and "TIFFANY & CO." on clasp and "SPAIN," "EP," "T & CO," and "(C)" on verso of the central starfish pendant. Intact, excellent, and wearable. Accompanied by Tiffany's blue jewelry pouch.
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