portfolio — Ping Pong Ring

"Every piece of jewellery whispers its story. All we have to do is listen."

"Every piece of jewellery whispers its story. All we have to do is listen."

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Based in Toronto, available internationally.

Sept. Rose

Sept. Rose

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Loren Nicole at Work Bench creating handmade jewellery

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Take a close look at these two Faberge brooches. W

Take a close look at these two Faberge brooches. While somewhat similar in scale, there was a 6,000CAD price difference between them at the most recent Dupuis Auction, but why?
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Well, it all boils down to the age old tale of condition. While yes, these two pieces are Faberge in bones, they are not in Enamel - arguably the most integral (and sensitive) part of a Faberge Jewel. The first piece seems to be in an overall state of original condition and sold for 8,000CAD plus buyers fees and taxes.
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However the second brooch, which sold for 2,000CAD, has a few problems. Most notably is the orange enamel. At one point, the original enamel was removed (likely due to damage) and replaced with a coating of resin enamel. When viewed in person, it lacks both the depth and opalescence the original shade of Faberge orange would have displayed.
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While this brooch did have other issues (a missing diamond, a repair on the flower stem, and a small chip to the current enamel,) I think the price difference can be mostly attributed to its lack of original enamel - one of the main reasons one would purchase a Faberge jewel.
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At the end of the day, all jewels go through a lot throughout their lifespan. These pieces have both seen the Russian revolution, two world wars, and countless other events throughout their lifetime, so I can't begrudge their state. However, I'd love to take this opportunity to remind everyone that when dealing in antique jewels, the devil is in the details! Should your antique piece find itself in need of repair, take it to someone whom specializes in old techniques - even if it costs more and takes more time. At the end of the day, you may thank yourself for it, and so will you precious jewel.
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#antiquebrooch #fabergebrooch #enamelbrooch #antiquejewellery #antiquejewellery

[Link in Bio - Sept. Rose Photoshoot] I’m so exc

[Link in Bio - Sept. Rose Photoshoot] I’m so excited to be able to share with you this photoshoot I did back in June of this year!
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Erin from @septrose_ approached me to photograph a selection of her creations alongside taking her portrait. It was an afternoon of good fun and laughter, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results!
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This was a mixed-media photoshoot, encompassing the best of both digital and film photography. All of the florals were shot on digital, while I let my passion for traditional film methods run wild while taking Erin’s portrait.
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I hope you all enjoy this small selection I’ve put on here, to view the complete photoshoot, follow the link in my bio!
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#photography #filmportrait #floralartist #floralphotography #torontophotographer

The Victorians and Edwardians were a clever folk;

The Victorians and Edwardians were a clever folk; they always knew how to make the most out of every jewel they bought. This necklace, which is being sold at Bonhams Australia on November 16, also doubles as a Tiara, displaying this clever bit of craftsmanship.
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This type of transformation was fairly common-place amongst high jewellery at the time, and I've found that usually the jewel looks best in one form over the other. However, this one is an exception!
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When you have a look at this piece being worn, the necklace has such a fluidity to it, both on an off the body. When worn on its wire as a tiara, it stands tall and proud, with its elegant motif graduating beautifully form the crest to the terminals - encircling the head with a garden of old-cut-diamond flora and fauna.
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This is the work of a true master-craftsman and will be one to watch (and bid on!) at @bonhamsjewels Australia Jewels auction.
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#tiara #antiquenecklace #oldcutdiamonds #antiquetiara #antiquejewellery

[The “Bérénice” Necklace Part 3] In November

[The “Bérénice” Necklace Part 3] In November of 1928, the left hand emerald was removed from the necklace and given a simple diamond setting. This had not sold as of May of 1929, and would be integrated into a special order necklace (made of carved emerald leaves and ruby beads) as a removable pendant brooch.
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At the same time, the right hand emerald (weighing 153.40 carats) was removed, and turned into a brooch with its diamond chestnut leaves (pictured slide 2-4.) By March of 1930, this piece still had not sold, and would be remounted into a similar setting to that of the central emerald, however by 1938 this brooch had not sold at which time it was completely disassembled with no further record of the emerald in the Cartier archives.
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Meanwhile in April of 1930 two of the diamond leaves would go on to be made into a brooch which sold in August in 1930. The black enamel plaques, set with pearls and diamonds along with most of the remaining tassels were turned into a belt in November of 1928, sold on a special order. Finally the arrow heads which connected to the tassels were made into a belt buckle, later turned into two brooches in 1929, and the two remaining chestnut motifs were transformed into brooches, both sold in 1930.
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Images and information ℅ “Cartier 1900-1939” by Judy Rudoe.
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#jewelleryhistory #cartierjewellery #artdecojewellery #antiquejewellery #artdeconecklace

[The “Bérénice” Necklace Part 2] So what hap

[The “Bérénice” Necklace Part 2] So what happened to the magnificent “Bérénice” shoulder ornament after it was broken apart?
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In 1926, Cartier began the process of breaking up the necklace, and the first piece to be removed was the Taj Mahal Emerald - The Taj Mahal Emerald is the last surviving piece of the “Bérénice” necklace, weighing in at 141.13 carats. Initially, the emerald was kept with its two diamond flanks, Cartier later added one of the tassels to make a large “devant de corsage,” but this did not sell.
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It would then be reset in what’s described as a “bizarre diamond setting which encased the back, and was barely visible from the front.” The emerald would be sold in this form to Mr. Montague Stanley Napier - its later history being undocumented by Cartier. However, the emerald would re-appear in the mid-1980’s while being unmounted by Precious Stones Inc. and had reputedly come from a Maharajas collection, by then the emerald had received its name from its previous owners because of the stylized lotus and poppies with which it is carved are similar motifs to that of the Taj Mahal. More recently the Taj Mahal emerald was sold at Christie’s NY in 2019 for 1.815 Million USD.
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Check back later for part 3 on what happened to the remaining emeralds and pieces of the “Bérénice” shoulder ornament!
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#jewelleryhistory #cartierjewellery #artdecojewellery #antiquejewellery #artdeconecklace

[The “Bérénice” Necklace Part 1] The “Bér

[The “Bérénice” Necklace Part 1] The “Bérénice” was conceptualized in the mid 1920’s as the central showpiece for the 1925 Paris Exhibition. Executed in Platinum, it was set with rich black enamel, pearls, onyx beads, and finally three very important Mughal emeralds.
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The “shoulder ornament” was considered an outlandish design, and extremely forward thinking for its lack of a traditional closure. This jewel rejected the status quo, and was designed to be worn draped over the shoulders, its weight securing itself on the wearer.
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The Cartier’s had a special mannequin constructed for the Exhibition, set in-front of a mirror to cleverly display its secret. The mannequin also wore a diadem and large brooch, both set with diamonds, emeralds, and pearls. This eye-catching display inspired the colour illustration (slide 3) which was published in a special edition of the Gazette du Con Ton. The sketch was given the title, “Bérénice” which has since been applied to both the necklace and diadem. While the diadem’s design can be attributed to Henri Chenaud, who joined Cartier firm in 1908 as a specialist in Tiara’s, it’s unknown whether he also had a hand in creating the shoulder ornament.
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This piece is a fine example of Cartier’s use of exception Indian Mughal emeralds during the Art Deco era - many of which were impressive in their own standing. The necklace would go unsold during the Exhibition, and would be broken up in 1926 - likely due to its forward thinking design, and high price.
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So, what happened to those three incredible Mughal emeralds? Check back on tomorrows post to find out!
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Images and information ℅ “Cartier 1900-1939” by Judy Rudoe.
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#jewelleryhistory #cartierjewellery #artdecojewellery #antiquejewellery #artdeconecklace

[Live! With @bonhamsjewels - Tuesday, October 5th]

[Live! With @bonhamsjewels - Tuesday, October 5th] I invite you to join Director of Bonhams Jewellery Los Angeles, Emily Waterfall (@waterfallatauction,) and I, as we explore treasures from their upcoming “Wearable Art” sale - jewels from the Crawford collection, which will be going under the hammer on October 12.
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We will be live Tuesday October 5th (times below) to have an exclusive preview of some of the most sought after Art Jewellery in the world. Artists such as Pablo Picasso, Art Smith, Betty Cooke, and Charles Loloma, will be on discussion as we explore not only the beauty of these pieces, but also how they influenced jewellery design throughout the 20th century.
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Preview the sale by following the link in my bio, we’re looking forward to seeing you there! Here are the times:
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Toronto & New York: 15:00
Los Angeles: 12:00
London (UK) 20:00
Paris & Brussels: 21:00
Dubai: 23:00
Sydney: 06:00 (October 6th)
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Featured: Lot No. 314
“Grand Faune Pendant”
Pablo Picasso
$US 60,000-100,000
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#jewellery #instagramlive #jewellerychat #jewellerypreview #vintagejewellery #jewellerydesign #pablopicasso #artjewellery

Next up in my @bonhamsjewels “Wearable Art” sa

Next up in my @bonhamsjewels “Wearable Art” sale favourites is an exceptional, and important, pair of cuffs crafted in copper and brass created by Art Smith circa 1945!
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I would highly recommend reading @levi_higgs essay about Art Smith printed in the the Bonahms catalog (link in bio!) It gives an excellent background on Smith, his life in Greenwich Village and Harlem, and background on several of the pieces included in the upcoming sale (including these cuffs.)
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Left: Modernist Cuff by Art Smith
Brass and Copper, Circa 1945
$US 8,000-12,000
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Right: Lava Cuff by Art Smith
Brass and Copper, Circa 1945
$US 8,000-12,000
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@bonhamsjewels Wearable Art Sale
October 12, 2021
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#jewellery #vintagejewellery #modernistjewellery #artsmith #artjewellery #modernjewellery #jewellerydeisgn #importantjewellery

I think my next favourite lot(s) from the upcoming

I think my next favourite lot(s) from the upcoming @bonhamsjewels “Wearable Art” sale are these three rings by Betty Cooke.
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With a career spanning more than 70 years, Betty Cooke has become an icon within the modern jewellery community. Her piece have been show both nationally and internationally, and has been seen amongst other great modern masterpieces in the MOMA (Museum Of Modern Art) in New York and Hirshhorn Museum in Washington D.C.
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Cooke earned her BFA in 1946, and during her final year of studies she began to learn jewellery manufacturing as part of an internship. Cooke is widely deeply knowledgeable in the areas of art and design, but is mostly self trained. Her work is inspired by the Bauhaus and modernist movements. Her works are self described as, “sculpture in motion,” an ode to hear early aspirations to be a sculptor.
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Most of her work is completed in gold, with pearls and diamonds, making these pieces classically “Betty Cooke.”
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Lot No. 78 and 63
$US 600-800 and $US 300-500 Respectively
To be sold without reserve
Bonhams “Wearable Art” Sale
October 12, 2021
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#jewellery #artjewellery#bettycooke #pearlring #diamondring #bonhamsjewels #artistjewellery #vintagejewellery #jewelleryauction #20thcenturyjewellery #jewellerydesign