Ettore Sottsass

Cleto Munari, Vicenza

Private Italian Collection (acquired from the above)

21st Century Jewels, London (acquired from the above)

Acquired from above by the present owner

This Gold and Sapphire Ring by Italian architect Ettore Sottsass is among the first pieces developed for his Cleto Munari jewelry collection in the 1980s. According to Alessandro Munari at Cleto Munari Design Associati SRL, this work is a prototype and only one was created. It comes with an image of Sottsass’ original design drawing, which interestingly specifies the use of a ruby, meaning that at some point in the process there was a decision about the overall aesthetic of the design and that a sapphire baguette must have completed the final piece of art to a more satisfactory degree than the planned ruby. His application of white gold in specific alternating areas is clear in the sketch, matching Sottsass’ whimsical, diverting, and above all surprising approach to design. Nothing about this piece is predictable - including, apparently, the final stone in its setting.