Jewels: Made in America
Online Auction: 16–23 July 2020 • 12:00 PM EDT • New York

Jewels: Made in America 16–23 July 2020 • 12:00 PM EDT • New York

S otheby’s is pleased to present Jewels: Made in America, featuring a selection of inspiring jewels made by some of the foremost American jewelers, open for bidding 16–23 July. With a special focus on contributions made to the jewelry world by celebrated makers such as Tiffany & Co., David Webb, Verdura and Harry Winston, among others, this sale offers jewels in hues of red, white, blue and beyond. Discover highlights such as a gleaming ‘Tiara Feather’ bracelet from Verdura, a masterfully designed invisibly-set ruby and diamond flower brooch from Oscar Heyman & Brothers, and a gemmy ‘Summer Berries’ bracelet from David Webb.

Auction Highlights
Harry Winston
David Webb

K nown for bold, adventurous and highly original designs, David Webb creates exemplary statement pieces that are true conversation starters. Since the firm’s inception in 1948, it has won critical acclaim from collectors and tastemakers alike. Each piece blends motifs and inspiration taken from varying cultures and time periods, spanning from ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian civilizations to the Art Deco period and beyond, married together with Webb’s unique aesthetic.

David Webb | Coral, Emerald, Diamond and Enamel Bangle-Bracelet
When jewelry connoisseurs think of David Webb, his ‘Jeweled Jungle,’ particularly his animal bangle-bracelets, immediately come to mind. The first – an enameled zebra bangle – was created in 1957, and quickly became a sensation amongst collectors. These wild creatures, composed boldly of generous volumes of gold adorned with vibrant gemstones and enamel, could be seen on the wrists of well-heeled women such as Jacqueline Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Vreeland. David Webb once proclaimed, “Women are tired of jewelry-looking jewelry, and they want one-of-a-kind pieces...Animals are here to stay.”

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Verdura
Verdura | Gold and Diamond ‘Tiara Feather’ Bracelet
The ‘Tiara Feather’ bracelet is based on the ‘Feather Headdress’ tiara Fulco di Verdura designed for Betsey Cushing Whitney when her husband, John Hay Whitney, was appointed United States ambassador to Great Britain in the 1950s. The design was inspired by Native American feather headdresses, a nod to her country’s past, elegantly rendered in etched gold and diamonds. The original was given back to Verdura’s archives by Whitney in the 1980s, but the design lives on in adaptations, such as the striking bracelet offered here. Made in the same workshop using the same molds as the original tiara, this piece is a brilliant variation, making it an impressive yet wearable jewel.

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Tiffany & Co.'s Brilliant HistoryIn its nearly 200-year history, Tiffany & Co. has grown to become the quintessential American jeweler with a worldwide reputation for glamour and style. Below, we look back at pivotal moments in Tiffany’s rich and prosperous history.

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