Jewelry and art together at TEFAF

Jewelry meets contemporary art at inaugural TEFAF New York Spring fair

Following the first edition of the TEFAF New York Fall, launched in October 2016, the inaugural TEFAF New York Spring, which took place last week (May 4 – 8), at the Park Avenue Armory, brought in the Big Apple the finest art dealers and experts from around the world. Among the 92 internationally acclaimed galleries and dealers participating in this debut edition, some exhibitors specialized in antique and vintage jewelry, decided to celebrate the theme of the fair, focussed on Modern and Contemporary Art & Design, exhibiting the jewelry creations from important artists such as Getulio Alviani, Max Ernst, Gio Pomodoro and Louise Nevelson, or from the great Maisons such as Bulgari, Cartier, and David Webb. 

London gallery Didier Ltd presented pieces of jewelry by post-war painters and sculptors. Such as the large 23 carat gold pendant in the form of a puffer fish with a twinkle in his eye was designed by Max Ernst (Brühl 1891-1976 Paris) in 1959 and produced by Francois Hugo from Aix-en-Provence, or a Gio Pomodoro's necklace made up from five irregular textured placquettes, further decorated with 18ct yellow gold kinetic armatures, kinetic ball, melted granules, and white gold highlights, and set with circular-cut emeralds including one on the elaborate clasp.

Gio Pomodoro (Orciano di Pesaro 1930-2002 Milan)

Simon Teakle curates a collection of rare and unusual objects, offering great design that is wearable and spans various price levels. The gallery brought to TEFAF some vintage pieces of the great houses including Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, and David Webb.

Diamond
English, circa 1870

Bulgari Dragonfly Brooch

French Maison Reza ,which was the only contemporary high jewelry brand at the event, introduced a series of pieces which stand out for their exceptional gemstones and spectacular designs. An example? The special earrings featuring 62 pebble pigeon blood rubies from Mozambique, 398 diamonds and 304 round cut rubies, set on white gold with some parts plated in black rhodium.

Comes d'Abondance earrings by Reza

In cover: Silver, unique pair of large kinetic earrings by George Rickey (190-USA-2002) (Didier Ltd gallery)