VERDURA PAIR OF MULTI-GEM AND ENAMEL 'MALTESE CROSS' BRACELETS

Fulco Santostefano della Cerda, Duke of Verdura, moved from his native Palermo to Paris in 1926, where he began working with Coco Chanel, initially as a textile designer, and eventually as head jewelry designer. It was here that his iconic Maltese cross motif designs were initially imagined. After relocating to the United States in 1937, he took a position as designer at Paul Flato’s jewelry establishment, first in New York, then in California. He remained with Flato for two years before opening his own salon in 1939 at 712 Fifth Avenue and a second, in 1947, in Paris on rue Boissy d’Anglas.

Verdura’s jewelry featured gold mountings with precious and semi-precious stones, a bold undertaking at the time when platinum was the most popular metal. This striking pair of enamel and multi-gem 'Maltese Cross' bracelets feature an array of vivid and vibrant gemstones which were created in celebration of the 70th anniversary of Verdura. There were only 70 crafted at this time in honor of the anniversary and the present pair are the coveted 25 and 26 editions out of 70. These bracelets are based on the original pair made by Fulco for Coco Chanel herself.