VINTAGE COSTUME JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES

Auction Atrium's first sale of Vintage Costume Jewellery and Accessories.

Included in this sale is a wide range of vintage costume jewellery from the 20th century, the bulk of which comes from two private collections. We are offering lots of sparkly 'bling' ideal for the festive season and bargains can be for as little as £20-30!

Of the more noteworthy and higher price tag items are:
Pierre Cardin 'runway' neckpiece from the 1960's. A stunning and eye-catching enamelled breastplate with blue glass centrepiece suspended from a white metal torque. Offered at auction for an estimated price of £1000 - 1200.

Pierre Cardin was born in 1922 in Italy to French parents. He moved to Paris in 1945 and worked for Schiapparelli before becoming head of Christian Dior's tailleure atelier in 1947. He founded his own fashion house in 1950 and began with Haute Couture in 1953. He is well known for his metal body jewellery and futuristic look and this piece is an absolutely stunning example from this age of fantasy and experimentation.

A Modernist gilded metal neckpiece with acrylic cylindrical spikes set in a centrepiece of quartz amd white metal which is suspended from a gilded white metal torque. We have nicknamed this piece 'Manhatten' as it's extraordinary profile is reminiscent of New York's skyline! A real catwalk piece and equally stunning as a work of art and innovative jewellery design.

Offered with an estimate of £700-900.

A stunning Chanel double stranded faux baroque pearl and diamante necklace C.1980. The shorter strand culminates in an oversized stylized bow set with diamante gems and cabochon 'ruby'. This piece is very much in the spirit of Karl Lagerfeld who took over the direction of the House of Chanel in 1983.

Estimated £300 - 500.

Karl Lagerfeld also made jewellery which was sold under his own name. Included in the sale are some of his iconic 'furniture pieces' which were replicas of pieces of furniture from his own home.

Also from the house of Chanel are two 'runway' pieces. One a dress ornament with oversize gems - possibly a sah ornament - offered at £100 - 200 and a large gilded composite brooch moulded in a heavily stylised 'c's' formation. Estimate £200 -300.

'Lacroix, darling Lacroix' are the long echoed words of Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous and are the very epitome of style and sophistication associated with 1980's glamour fashion. On offer in this sale are a number of pieces by Christian Lacroix including a stunning and eminently wearable parure comprising chandelier necklace and matching earrings. The 'gold' metal set with glass gems representing stylized flowers. Estimate £250 - 400. Also a floral Lacroix brooch set with diamante gems. Estimate £150 - 200.

Mitchel Maer is THE name in costume jewellery from the House of Dior in the 1950's. During his tenure at Dior, he was responsible for much of the most innovative jewellery of this period. The 'Age of Elegance' exhibition currently at the Victoria and Albert Museum has a selection of pieces by this most interesting designer. One is a stunning cuff bracelet and the other an articulated diamante brooch. This brooch is on offer at £200 - 300.

Of some of the earlier unsigned pieces is a stunning cocktail bracelet of the 1930's with Chanel set 'emeralds' articulated with 'gold' metal. Stylish and wearable and offered at auction for £150 - 200.

Nelly Biche De Bere is a contemporary jewellery designer who started making jewellery for herself whilst waitressing in New York. She tried to sell some pieces to supplement her salary and when someone placed an order for 30,000 pieces, her days at waiting tables were over. This metal torque is truly stunning in design... a definite statement piece and with an estimate of £100 - 200, an affordable investment in an up and coming designer.

Other names of note in the sale are: Trifari, Butler and Wilson, Yves Saint Laurent, Paco Rabanne, Miriam Haskell, Norman Hartnell, Les Bernard, Har, Kramer, and Kenneth Jay Lane.

We are also offering a large selection of vintage bags and accessories.

Amongst these, a red leather bag by the French company Dofan, beaded evening bags from the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's. Skin bags, Bakelite bags, vintage Hermes scarves, sunglasses by Pucci and Lacroix. Also an unusual collection of over 30 Pucci jewellery boxes which are being sold in one lot with an estimate of £400 - 600.

Further details or images:

Tel: 0207 792 9020
info@auctionatrium.com

101B Kensington Church St
London W8 7LN.