I visited LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair opening night on Berkeley Square in London Mayfair. The LAPADA Fair is a must-visit event for sourcing and buying art, antiques and jewellery. It will take place from Tuesday 22nd September until Sunday 27th September 2015. Entrance by ticket priced at £20 each.
Jewellery on offer range from £500 to several hundreds of thousands, attracting the most discerning collector while also encouraging first time buyers to develop new interests. I recommend to visit Future Areas of Jewellery Collecting lecture on 22nd September at 6.30pm. The discussion is hosted by Rebecca Davies, CEO of LAPADA and Sasha Slater, Deputy Editor of Harper’s Bazaar. Tickets to the event cost £50, which includes entrance to the fair, a year’s subscription to Bazaar and a goodie bag.
During the opening night I came across a myriad of sparkling treasures from the last few centuries ranging from the very affordable to jewels we can only dream about adding to our jewellery boxes. I have selected ten jewels that have caught my eye either for their provenance, design or a certain je ne sais quoi!
1. SUZANNE BELPERRON EARRINGS
A pair of striking earrings that follow the form of the ear from 20th century greatest jewellery designer, Suzanne Belperron, who was much loved and the source of inspiration for many known jewellers including JAR, James de Givenchy and Seamon Scheppes. The earrings were crafted in 1952, but yet their design is well ahead of the time. The tear drop shape is set with faceted crystal in Belperron’s signature ‘honey-comb’ design, and each earring is centered with a single emerald cut pink tourmaline. These earrings would easily embellish any of your evening outfits!
How expensive is the fit? £85,000 from Lucas Rarities
2. JAR ALUMINIUM FAN EARCLIPS
I have been an ardent fan of JAR’s signature earrings for as long as I can remember, and I particularly adore this par in matt blue and purple finish. The colour adds a fresh and contemporary touch to the signature design!
This pair is marked number 39 and signed JAR PARIS. Comes in mint green signed suede pouch.
How expensive is the fit? 4,800 from Lucas Rarities
3. FONSEQUE ET OLIVE GRAPE BROOCHES
These quaint grape brooches from the French designer Fonseque et Olive made circa 1890 are a unique find. They are of patented design – you can find them in the well-known jewellery book La Bijouterie Francaise Au XIXeme Siecle by Henri Vever – crafted from yellow gold, silver diamonds and opaline glass. The green colour of the glass is the result of added uranium, a weakly radioactive material, which at that time was considered safe to manufacture. When hit with a UV light, each grape lights up because uranium atoms start pumping out protons. No worries, however, as these earrings are completely safe to wear!
How expensive is the fit? £3,300 each from Sue Brown
4. CARTIER EDWARDIAN HAIR COMB
This exquisite hair ornament from Cartier was crafter around 1910s and a rare find in such pristine condition. The hair comb is made from tortoiseshell, platinum, diamonds and onyx. A perfect hair piece to wear to your next ball!
How expensive is the fit? £27,000 from Moira Fine Jewellery
5. VICTORIAN TIARA 1880
If you are looking for a truly regal jewel, then this magnificent Victorian tiara, crafted from yellow gold, silver and diamons around 1880, is the piece for you. The tiara can actually be taken apart: it incorporates five separate brooches, and can also be turned into a necklace if you wish. Such a tiara is a truly rare find since tiaras are kept as heirlooms and very rarely come up for sale!
How expensive is the fit? £115,000 from Moira Fine Jewellery
6. 18TH CENTURY EARRINGS
These striking earrings crafted from yellow gold and garnets and haling from Catalonia, Spain, are a museum quality jewel. Made circa 1750s, these earrings are bespoke pieces made for Spanish nobility. The perfect jewels for someone who wants show-stopping pieces that everyone will talk about at the party!
How expensive is the fit? £5,000 from Jose Pedra Battista.
7. EARRINGS AND CLIP FROM UNKNOWN PORTUGUESE DESIGNER
This gorgeous set from the 1960s is crafted from turquoise, gold, platinum, diamonds and sapphires. A very contemporary design that can easily be incorporated into any cocktail look.
How expensive is the fit? £5,500 from Jose Pedra Battista.
8. ORCHID BROOCH
The whole GEMOLOGUE team fell in love head over heals with this show-stopping floral brooch of brilliant colours crafted from calcedony, amethyst, jade, diamonds, white and yellow gold.
How expensive is the fit? £8,000 from Jose Pedra Battista.
9. DAVID WEBB NECKLACE
This David Webb necklace crafted from 18K yellow gold, white enamel and coral, is one in a million and a highly-sought jewellery collector’s item: throughout his lifetime, David Webb manufactured several thousand pieces, but many more carry his name posthumously. This necklace was handmade by the designer himself, hence marked with ‘David Webb’ rather than simply ‘Webb’, so this is perhaps one of the most in-demand pieces at LAPADA.
How expensive is the fit? £65,000 from The Gilded Lily Jewellery
10. 1970S BRACELET
This distinct bracelet from the 1970s instantly caught my attention when I was flicking through the fair brochure, and I simply could not wait to try it on! Crafted from 18K yellow gold, coral and onyx, the large organic form and rich colours of this bracelet are show-stopping: this piece is certainly for someone who loves attention!
How expensive is the fit? £20,000 from The Gilded Lily Jewellery
STAR SAPPHIRE RING
This American made ring crafted from a star sapphire and fancy cut diamonds around 1935 epitomises the glamour of the era. At the time, star sapphires were very much en vogue with many Hollywood stars. Various geometric shapes of diamonds surrounding the sapphires of the ring were inspired by the modern architecture at the time when many of New York’s well-known buildings, such as Rockefeller Centre, were erected.
How expensive is the fit? £27,500 from Sandra Cronan
1890S PENCIL
This is the pencil fit for an American magnate. Made in 1890s from solid gold, coloured spines and diamonds, this is the objet d’art that will add the final touch to your big desk , and the piece fit for the most powerful of men. It might seem a little over the top, but this piece was made to represent true power and success!
Each exhibitor, as a member of LAPADA the Association of Art & Antiques Dealers, adheres to a strict Code of Practice. This, combined with an expert committee of 70 specialists who pre-vet every piece, ensures the quality and authenticity of every item on sale at the LAPADA Fair.
GEMOLOGUE by Liza Urla features exquisite global discoveries, trendy urban street style, exclusive interviews and rare jewellery reviews – a celebration of fine jewellery, fashion jewellery and vintage jewellery.
*Photographed by Flit Photography. Styling and Art Direction by Liza Urla. Make Up Julia Flit.
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