.jpg?maxwidth=3840)
Lot 167 "Holly Wreath"
Aptly regarded as the "King of Diamonds," Harry Winston has been known for handling a majority of the world's superlative diamonds, colored gemstones and jewelry in the 20th century. He is acknowledged as a visionary in the field for his pursuit of excellence combined with his passion, discretion, intuition and knowledge.
With the finest rough diamonds available, as well as numerous historical gems, he imbued his pieces with exceptional style. Perhaps the most important design has been the much admired and greatly imitated 'Winston' look. This concept was envisioned by Harry Winston while looking at a holly wreath hanging from his front door at Christmas in 1944. He was drawn to the way the leaves shaped the wreath and thought that he could adapt this to jewelry design, whereby the wearer only saw the gemstones and not the supporting metal beneath. Seemingly simple, it revolutionized design, in that the metal merely acted as a framework for the gemstones and never overshadowed their role as the primary focus of the jewel. This necklace composed of magnificent circular, pear and marquise-cut diamond clusters, in its design and construction, is truly a treasure.
Aptly regarded as the "King of Diamonds," Harry Winston has been known for handling a majority of the world's superlative diamonds, colored gemstones and jewelry in the 20th century. He is acknowledged as a visionary in the field for his pursuit of excellence combined with his passion, discretion, intuition and knowledge.
With the finest rough diamonds available, as well as numerous historical gems, he imbued his pieces with exceptional style. Perhaps the most important design has been the much admired and greatly imitated 'Winston' look. This concept was envisioned by Harry Winston while looking at a holly wreath hanging from his front door at Christmas in 1944. He was drawn to the way the leaves shaped the wreath and thought that he could adapt this to jewelry design, whereby the wearer only saw the gemstones and not the supporting metal beneath. Seemingly simple, it revolutionized design, in that the metal merely acted as a framework for the gemstones and never overshadowed their role as the primary focus of the jewel. This necklace composed of magnificent circular, pear and marquise-cut diamond clusters, in its design and construction, is truly a treasure.
A DIAMOND "HOLLY WREATH" NECKLACE, BY HARRY WINSTON
Closed20 October 2010
Price Realised
USD 1,202,500
More Information
Specialist note
Cf. Alexis Gregory, Harry Winston: Rare Jewels of the World, Universe Publishing/Vendome Press, 1998, New York and Paris, page 47
Cf. Penny Proddow and Marion Fasel, Bejeweled, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, 2001, page 30
Cf. Suzanne Tennenbaum and Janet Zapata, Jeweled Garden, The Vendome Press, New York, 2006, page 202
Cf. Penny Proddow and Marion Fasel, Bejeweled, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, 2001, page 30
Cf. Suzanne Tennenbaum and Janet Zapata, Jeweled Garden, The Vendome Press, New York, 2006, page 202