Bulgari
Gem set and diamond brooch, circa 1980
Lot Closed
May 15, 10:52 AM GMT
Estimate
26,000 - 35,000 CHF
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Read more.Lot Details
Description
Designed as a medal featuring the American Eagle, set with a cabochon sodalite, calibré-cut turquoises and lapis lazuli, embellished with pavé-set brilliant-cut diamonds, on a polished onyx ground, the striped ribbon decorated with calibré-cut turquoises, polished onyx and brilliant-cut diamonds, signed Bulgari, maker's marks for Bulgari, Italian maker's and assay marks for gold.
Americana
In 1971, Bulgari opened its first store in the United States at the Hotel Pierre in New York. To mark the occasion, a line of coral, enamel and diamond ‘Stars and Stripes’ jewellery was created, playfully paying homage to the Star Spangled Banner. The following year, the pop star Cher was photographed by Richard Avedon wearing pieces from the collection. All through the 1970s and 80s, Bulgari kept returning to the Stars and Stripes theme. This highly unusual brooch designed as a medal featuring the American Eagle is closely related to the Stars and Stripes collection through its Americana inspiration. Though the brooch is of Italian craftsmanship, it whimsically incorporates the Eagle, a symbol of American patriotism, freedom and justice.