Born in Figueres in 1904, Catalan artist Salvador Dalí is one of the most recognized names of twentieth-century art. He was a leading Surrealist, known for his startling juxtapositions and dream-like images, including melting clocks, stork-legged elephants and lobster telephones.

Beyond his prolific painting career, Dalí collaborated with Finnish shipping magnate Eric Ertman and Argentinean-born jeweler Carlos B. Alemany to produce a group of extraordinary jewels that gave expression to religious and mythological imagery. Dalí’s striking combination of materials and invocation of mythology come together to give form to the recognizable figure of Medusa’s head.

The present brooch was purchased directly from the artist at the height of his collaboration with Alemany and Ertman and has remained within the same family collection since. Lot 75 is accompanied by Dali’s original design study, gouache on carboard, signed and dated 1955. An earlier and very similar study for jewelry designs including Tristan and Isolde, Ophelia and Medusa is in the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation’s collection in Figueres.

A testament to the family’s commitment to preservation, Lot 75 is also offered with its original presentation light box, designed by Dalí in collaboration with House of Heydenryk.

The distinguished art framers, in business since 1845, collaborated with major artists and museums throughout the twentieth century. Dalí was a frequent patron of the framing business, often entering the Manhattan showroom with a painting in one hand and his pet ocelot’s leash in the other. Dalí purchased both Renaissance-era frames and custom-made Heydenryk originals that complemented his creations.

In 1958, a collaboration between Mr. Heydenryk and Dalí produced lighted shadow boxes for 28 Dalí-designed jewels. The collaboration was toured across the country and covered extensively by the press. Lot 75’s frame is based on a sixteenth century design, featuring an Italian cushion cassetta profile and gilt border. Inside the frame is the patented ‘Heyden-Ray’ technology which illuminates the jewel by internal electric light bulbs. Heydenryk is still in operation today and can advise on the potential restoration of the lightbox.

Presented at auction for the first time since its commission, the present brooch, along with its original design study and light box, provides the rare opportunity to experience the jewel as imagined by Dalí and his collaborators.