CHAUMET Paris 1960 Turtle Brooch In 18Kt Yellow Gold With Diamonds & Lapis Lazuli
Turtle brooch designed by Chaumet Paris.
This is a magnificent and extremely rare vintage turtle brooch, created in Paris France back in the late 1950 and early 1960 by the jewelry house of Chaumet. This brooch is a one of a kind collector's piece, carefully crafted in the shape of lovely land turtle in solid yellow gold of 18 karats with highly textured finish. The turtle is embellished with earth mined natural gemstones, such; white colorless diamonds and vivid blue lapis lazuli. It is fitted at the reverse with hinged double pin bars with a mechanical twisted trombone lock for safety.
We have in our collection two version of these turtle brooches, and is very interesting both pieces are serially numbered with the same four digits, but with different alphabet letters. In our opinion it is probably just a few pieces has been made, each one made with different color gemstones. Is our opinion the numbers correspond to the model and the letters correspond to the gemstones color variation used, in this case we suggest, that only 28 turtles has been made.
Lapis lazuli: The body of the turtle is mounted in bezel settings, with 6 cabochon mixed cut of natural blue lapis lazuli, with an estimate weight of about 3 carats.
Diamonds: The heads of the turtle is mount in flush settings, with 6 round brilliant cut diamonds, 0.20 carats, white color less E/F color, VS clarity.
Weight: 42.2 Grams, (27.05 Dwt).
Measurements: 54 mm by 39 mm by 17 mm (2.13 x 1.54 x 0.67 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with French national marks, the eagle's head for the assay and warranty of the18kt gold, the maker's maitre inside a lozange cartouche Ste JC Fr. associated to Societe Jacques Chaumet Freres, the five-digits serial numbers, series-E and signed as follow, "CHAUMET 7018-E Ste JC Fr".
The house of Chaumet
The French born jeweler, Marie-Etienne Ninot began his career as an assistant court-jeweler to the queen Marie Antoinette. In 1780, he moved to Paris and founded the House of Chaumet, and was appointed as jeweler to emperor Napoleon in 1802. During this period, Ninot became one of the most popular jewelers in Europe, establishing a loyal and continuous prestigious clientele. today the house remains as a luxury jewelry house under the name Chaumet Paris. At the beginning of the modernist era between the end of the 60's and the beginning of the 70's, many jewelry houses, such as Cartier, Kutchinsky and Chaumet experimented with exceptional modernist designs, this brooch is one of them which we consider magnificent and very elegant.
Collateral: This turtle brooch is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of this Chaumet brooch is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold. The 12 gemstones are secured in their settings. This brooch has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: P101624OTNM/1.014
