Fine Jewels And Watches November 2018
The Property of A Lady
The crossover hinged bangle of comet design, the silver brushed dial, polished hands and quarter markers, within a pavé-set brilliant-cut diamond star case, extending to the three-tiered diamond-set quarter-hoop, jointed by a safety hinged clasp, mounted in 18K white gold, circa 2000, quartz movement, dial and case signed CHANEL, Paris, ref no. J 2830, serial no. 70136, with Swiss hallmark and maker’s marks, includes original fitted case, presentation box, time adjustment corrector and guarantee, case 27.00 x 24.00 mm, inner 58.00 mm
"I wanted to cover women in constellations of stars. Stars! Stars of all sizes" – Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel
The "Bijoux de Diamants" collection was launched in November 1932, in the magnificent Parisian mansion on 29 Faubourg Saint-Honoré where Chanel was residing at the time. The collection of 35 pieces was inspired by Chanel’s fascination with constellations and astrology. The motifs of stars, comets and sun she employed in her first and only fine jewelry collection were a mirror image of the night sky mosaics on the floor of the orphanage that she stayed in as a child. Originally, Chanel was famous for her bold and avant-garde costume jewelry, combining real gemstones with fake ones. She once said “I started creating costume jewelry because I felt it was refreshingly free of arrogance, during a period that tended towards ostentatious displays of luxury.”
The momentous turning point for Chanel was the Great Depression when she decided to trove the gloomy climate with a dazzle of diamonds. She believed in such a devastating time, one’s instinctive desire for authenticity would be reawakened in every domain. Her prophecy was indeed correct, the collection caught great attention, attracting thousands of visitors who flocked to see the spectacular jewelry collection, including princess, duchesses and ambassadors. Since 1932 the "Bijoux de Diamants" has been revived numerous times and is now known as the “Comète” collection.
