Sotheby’s organizes an online sale exclusively dedicated to the great artist-jeweler Michele della Valle. Who tells when Sophia Loren … ♦ ︎
He is one of the artists lent to jewelry that can boast a nucleus of enthusiasts spread all over the world. And, as someone who makes his own life to the art, creates only unique pieces. But, attention, what distinguishes Michele della Valle from others (few) eclectic jewel designers is the ability to combine exceptional creations with an equally exceptional sense of humor.
Proposed several times at Sotheby’s auctions, Michele della Valle from 21 September to 1 October 2018 will be super protagonist. The auction house, in fact, has planned the first online sale of jewelry created by Michele della Valle. The sale includes the designer’s pieces with different subjects, animals and nature, but also modern emojis. The jewels will be exhibited in Geneva in September. On the occasion of the event, Sotheby’s also took the opportunity to interview Michele della Valle. And the interview has reserved several surprises (the following sentences are extrapolated from the interview you find here.
“Many years ago my favourite gemstones were rubies and multicoloured sapphires. Today I no longer look at the value of a stone, but at its beauty. There are semi-precious stones that attract me and communicate strong emotions. I like color combinations and I don’t hesitate to surround a precious emerald with beautiful amethysts . Green and purple is a wonderful juxtaposition! ”
“As a gift a jewel must contain an explicit or non-explicit message. A brooch with the color of your loved one’s eyes for example; a heart-shaped pendant… I had the wonderful pleasure of giving Sophia Loren a small bracelet which spelt – with a line of diamonds and in Neapolitan dialect – the words “A GUAGLIONA CCHIU’ BELLA RO MUNNE” (the most beautiful girl in the world). Precisely what I think of her”.
“Jewelry must bring joy… The word gioia in Italian clearly says so! The same word stands for joy and for jewel as well. So yes it must bring joy and beautify those who wear it. This collection wants to demystify classical jewels, that nowadays can be very difficult to wear”.
“I built a necklace with leaves made of engraved blood jasper and diamonds, I used kunzite, a beautiful light pink stone, I combined some wonderful ruby baguettes to a briolette of pink quartz for some earrings, but I also used ebony wood set with diamonds for a necklace”.
“Despite my age, I am a boy at heart and am always interested in up to date and modern stimulations. When Sotheby’s suggested the project of an online sale, I was delighted to take up the challenge. I think web communication is such a big part of our present and probably of our future. The first piece I designed for this collection was the pin with the smile. Pavé of yellow diamonds for the face, diamonds for the teeth, ruby cabochon for the tongue and finally two hearts of rubies as eyes . Then the “Like” and the “Kiss” emojis came to mind”.
“To design and make a jewel, from conception to the finished object, typically it take three to four months, but there are more complicated (complex) jewels that can take up to a year of work”.
