Fine Jewels
Fine Jewels
Van Cleef & Arpels
Gold and Chalcedony 'Lion de Persepolis' Pendant
Lot Closed
June 14, 04:51 PM GMT
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Depicting a griffin, the eye set with a pear-shaped green chalcedony cabochon, the reverse inscribed 'BAL DU CINQUANTENAIRE DES PETITS LITS BLANCS IRAN 28 OCTOBRE 1971'.
- Length 3¾ inches
- Signed Van Cleef & Arpels, with maker's mark, numbered 116317, reverse of pendant numbered 4
- French assay and workshop marks for Georges L'Enfant
- 18 karat gold
- Gross weight approximately 52 dwts
- 1971
In 1971, Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, celebrated 2,500 years of the Persian Empire with a lavish ball held in Persepolis. Attended by numerous heads of state or their representatives, the party was widely covered by the international media and described as one of the most lavish celebrations of all time. A few weeks later, another party was held in the tent city that had been erected. The Bal des petits lits blancs had been established to benefit children who had been infected with turberculosis. This pendant was a gift to select attendees at the charitable ball, including the present owner.