MICHELE DELLA VALLE: A GEM-SET AND DIAMOND CROSS PENDANT Of...

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€8,000 - €12,000

MICHELE DELLA VALLE: A GEM-SET AND DIAMOND CROSS PENDANT Of floral design, the cross decorated with flowerheads set with brilliant-cut diamond pistils, sapphire cabochons for petals and emerald cabochons for leaves, to a brilliant-cut diamond surround, suspending from a similarly-cut diamond bale, mounted in 18K gold, signed Michele della Valle, numbered, diamonds approximately 4.35cts total, sapphires approximately 22.48cts total, emeralds approximately 6.15cts total, with maker's pouch, length (including bale): 10.3cm Michele della Valle was born in Rome and began designing costume jewellery at the age of 16. During a trip to Burma in 1976, della Valle bought his first stone, which he showed to revered stone dealer Roger Varenne, who suggested he take it to Hans Nadelhoffer, jewellery expert at Christie's. This proved to be a life-changing moment as it marks the beginning of della Valle’s career as a precious stone dealer and jewellery designer. In 1976 he worked for a year at Fürst Jewellers (a representative of Harry Winston) in Via Veneto, Rome and in 1978 opened his own workshop at Rome’s Piazza di Spagna. At this point, he began frequently travelling to Asia in search of precious stones and started collaborating with Bulgari on special orders, leading to his recognition as an important designer by famous Italian clientele of film stars and opera singers. Still a rarefied name in the world of jewellery, della Valle presents ideas and designs to clients by appointment only. The finished jewellery piece is then commissioned and meticulously handmade by sixteen highly skilled craftsmen in his atelier in Rome. Della Valle has become one of the most sought-after contemporary jewellers in the world. He developed a distinctive style, conjuring up lyrical compositions from a treasure trove of envious gemstones. This approach stems from his personal passion for opera and his own early training as a dramatic tenor. Nature remains his greatest inspiration, as he reinterprets classic jewellery iconography - soft, silky, light feathers and ethereal flowers. He dreams in colour, the vibrant grass greens, flaming orange and lilting blues of sea and sky are the colours of jewels for which he has become celebrated. Della Valle’s travels have an enormous influence on his creativity, stating: “I don’t understand how a jewel can be created without the magic of a trip to India or to the Far East in search of stones. The stones give birth to the design, and not the other way around.”