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These delightful fairy brooches are notable for both their aesthetic beauty and joyful spirit; as well as their exquisite craftsmanship and the rich historical context in which they were made. These charming pixies are interesting examples of the stylistic trend toward what is now referred to as the Retro period, while also providing an expression of the public’s yearning to escape the austerity of World War II. Ballerina and fairy brooches were introduced by Van Cleef & Arpels in the early 1940s and remained popular throughout the 1950s. During the bleak days of World War II, these creations were viewed as symbols of hope and small reminders of beauty and pleasure. During the years immediately following war, the subject grew in popularity as a symbol of the public’s newfound sense of freedom and liberation. With the rationing of platinum now lifted, and a greater social allowance for conspicuous consumption, master jeweler-designers such as Paul Flato were afforded the ability to use diamonds, platinum and other precious gems to fully execute creative ideas through jewelry.Flato’s interpretation of this subject expresses the spirited whimsy for which he is renowned. With their long diamond-set limbs and charming postures, the fairies offered here clearly reference those developed by Van Cleef & Arpels, but through Flato’s own unique eye.PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF JULIA MEADE
TWO RETRO DIAMOND, RUBY AND GOLD FAIRY BROOCHES
Details
TWO RETRO DIAMOND, RUBY AND GOLD FAIRY BROOCHES
Comprising two brooches, each designed as a fairy, the single and circular-cut diamond bodies extending openwork polished gold wings, the lower part of the wings backed with polished platinum panels, and the open upper part set with circular-cut rubies or diamonds, circa 1940, 2 3/4 ins. and 3 1/8 ins., mounted in gold and platinum
One brooch signed Flato for Paul Flato
Comprising two brooches, each designed as a fairy, the single and circular-cut diamond bodies extending openwork polished gold wings, the lower part of the wings backed with polished platinum panels, and the open upper part set with circular-cut rubies or diamonds, circa 1940, 2 3/4 ins. and 3 1/8 ins., mounted in gold and platinum
One brooch signed Flato for Paul Flato