The venerable New York dealer of art, antiques and vintage jewelry, A La Vieille Russie (ALVR), will showcase animal-themed works with diamonds and colored gems inspired by beloved creatures and their habitats at the Winter Show, which opens to the public today (January 19). The family-owned firm is one of at least 10 dealers of jewelry exhibiting at the show being held at The Park Avenue Armory in New York until January 28.
Among the items on offer from ALVR is a rare René Lalique beetle necklace and a diamond bumble bee brooch set in silver and 18k gold with cabochon ruby eyes, circa 1870. It’s part of a vast collection of jewels dating from the 1860s to the 1930s. It includes items from historic European and American designers, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Schlumberger, and Janesich.
Many of these bejeweled creations from ALVR will make their debut appearance at The Winter Show. Now in its 70th edition, The Winter Show is among the oldest continuing running fine arts and antique fairs in North America, if not the world. This year, as always, it will host antiques and fine art spanning from antiquity to the contemporary from more than 70 dealers from seven countries. In addition to jewelry, objects on display include a variety of paintings, furniture, sculptures, tapestries, books and fine design.
The Winter Show was established in 1954 by its beneficiary, East Side House Settlement, a community-based organization serving the Bronx and Northern Manhattan. For 70 years, The Winter Show has bolstered East Side House’s mission to care for the individuals, families and communities it serves by expanding opportunities through educational, job, and supportive services.
“Collectors, connoisseurs and the curious alike will find displays ranging time, material, geography, cultures, and makers, but what unifies these diverse highlights is the unique standard of quality we maintain through our partnership with exhibitors,” said Helen Allen, executive director of The Winter Show.
Every object presented at The Winter Show is vetted for authenticity, date, and condition by a committee of more than 120 experts from the United States and Europe. The jewels being offered by galleries at the show are as follows:
The proprietors of London-based Didier Ltd, Didier and Martine Haspeslagh, are the world’s expert of jewels created by modern and contemporary painters, sculptors, architects and designers. Their vast collection of these pieces is acquired from the secondary art market. At The Winter Show, the focus is on Italian and America artists. Among the pieces on offer is a pair of tall, spiral earrings titled “Pendants Pending,” by American artist, Man Ray.
New York dealer, James Robinson, is best known for offering antique jewelry of the 19th century and Art Deco jewelry of the 20th century; antique silver of the 16th through 18th century; antique porcelain services from England and Europe; and antique table glass. Among the jewelry items on display is an American black opal and diamond cluster ring mounted in platinum and 14k gold, circa 1910.
From its boutique on the seventh floor of Bergdorf Goodman, Kentshire offers a constantly changing collection of antique and estate jewelry. Among the items on display by the family-owned firm is a Georgian Swiss enamel, gold and multi-gemstone necklace. Circa 1830, with pendant elements, with topaz, peridots, garnets sapphires, emeralds, and rubies.
Simon Teakle combines his passion for awe-inspiring objects of historical significance with lesser-known items that showcase extraordinary beauty and superior craftsmanship. Among the jewels on exhibit at the show is a René Boivin Fishscale diamond bracelet, Paris, circa 1937, designed as a tapering bombe band with scalloped motifs and baguette diamond clasp, mounted in platinum.
A specialist in antique jewelry, Véronique Bamps has devoted more than 35 years to European and American jewelry dating from the early 19th century to the 1950s. Based in Monaco, this internationally renowned expert reveals her discoveries, both signed and anonymous, which she selects for their style, originality, striking aesthetic qualities and techniques. She is a constant presence at major art and antique fairs in the U.S. and Europe and has a strong international following. One of the pieces she’ll be offering is a René Boivin necklace in yellow gold set with rubies and diamonds, circa 1950.
London-based Wartski specializes in the work of Carl Fabergé and over the years has owned 13 of its Imperial Easter eggs. The firm also focuses on 19th and 20th century jewelers including Castellani, Melillo, Giuliano, Fontenay, Boucheron, Falize, Rene Lalique, Lacloche, Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels. It has organized a number of exhibitions devoted to specific jewelers as well as artistic movements. Among the pieces on offer, is a Carl Fabergé diamond-set snowflake, a surviving design by Albert Holmströmdated, the headmaster of the House of Fabergé in the early 20th century.
S.J. Shrubsole specializes in rare antique English, Irish, Scottish, and American silver, and fine vintage and estate jewelry. Among its jewelry offering is an antique Renaissance Revival necklace and earclips made of 18k yellow gold and silver-topped gold set with pink topaz, yellow topaz, emerald, ruby and pearl.
Other firms exhibiting at the fair with extensive jewelry offerings are New York-based Macklowe Gallery and Les Enluminures, with galleries in Chicago and Paris.