IMPRESSIVE GEM-SET AND DIAMOND NECKLACE, 'ROI SOLEIL', CHRISTIAN DIOR

The articulated necklace designed as a stylized sunburst, the beams pavé-set with oval yellow sapphires weighing 359.73 carats in total, adorned with circular-cut spessartite garnets weighing 8.66 carats and brilliant-cut diamonds weighing 10.00 carats in total, mounted in 18 carat yellow gold,

Christian Dior was the brilliant creator of the "New Look" in 1947. His revolutionary creations at that time provoked great controversy but fashionable ladies adored this style. They took to his designs of hourglass lines and long rustling skirts as Dior reinvented post-war fashions throughout the 1950’s. The House of Dior has always attracted some of the greatest talents in the history of fashion; Yves St Laurent, Marc Bohan and John Galliano to name but a few. In May 1999, Christian Dior Haute Joaillerie first opened its doors in Paris on the avenue Montaigne to be followed shortly by another on the Place Vendôme and boutiques in New York and Los Angeles. The creative force behind this new direction is Victoire de Castellane. Taking her cue from Christian Dior himself, Madame de Castellane is determined to infuse the same revolutionary spirit into the world of haute joaillerie. Victoire de Castellane is a spontaneous woman who revels in beauty and life and adores extravagance in jewels. All her jewellery is designed with that personality and philosophy in mind. Much enthralled by romanticism and poetry, Victoire de Castellane creates striking and original jewels, drawing on her love of colour and exoticism, mixing precious and fine stones in a kaleidoscope of bejewelled fantasy. This necklace and matching pair of earrings is a “reminder of the extravagant balls thrown by Mr Christian Dior in the 1950’s that were famous for the eccentricity of their guests.  This flamboyant necklace is an allegory of the embroideries that embellished their costumes.  The choice of the stones: diamonds, yellow sapphires and spessartite garnets ideally matches the name of the piece “Le Roi Soleil” (the Sun King), Louis XIV of France”