Designer Michele della Valle on His Bespoke Designs for Sotheby's

Designer Michele della Valle on His Bespoke Designs for Sotheby's

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  Michele della Valle, Blue topaz and diamond brooch, 'The Blue Elephant'. Estimate 9,000—12,000 CHF.

  "It was my dream as a child to own a little elephant, and recently I bought a book: The Story of the Blue Elephant that Met the Green Giraffe on the Grey Planet. I haven’t read it, but its title inspired me to design this brooch set with variously cut blue topaz with brilliant-cut diamonds."
  

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  Michele della Valle, Gem set and diamond brooch. Estimate 8,000—12,000 CHF.

  "I love animals and the first one I had, I was ten years old, was a little tortoise called Fanny given to me by Pietro, my best friend. I wanted to dedicate this affectionate tribute to her."

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  Michele della Valle, Pair of gem set, onyx and diamond earrings, 'Uccellini'. Estimate 8,500—12,000 CHF.

  "Then I had a pair of budgerigars, it was the time of lyrical singing lessons, and I gave them the rather disrespectful names of Pippo and Maria (Giuseppe di Stefano and Maria Callas)."

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  Michele della Valle, Pair of gem set and diamond earrings, 'Seahorses'. Estimate 5,500—7,500 CHF.

  "My great love of the sea is an inexhaustible source of inspiration…I have used brilliant-cut diamonds, and highlighted the eyes with cabochon rubies to bring them to life."

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  Michele della Valle, Pair of yellow sapphire, tsavorite and diamond pendent ear clips, 'Limoni'. Estimate 7,500—10,500 CHF.

  "Kennst du das Land wo di Zitronen Blühn?... (Do you know the land where the lemon trees bloom?) Goethe’s beautiful lines inspired Schubert to write a wonderful song. They also inspired me to make these earrings which make me think of the Amalfi coast"

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  Michele della Valle, Pair of Ruby Ear clips, Each designed as a rose, pavé-set with circular-cut and oval rubies. Estimate 15,000—20,000 CHF.

  "No jewel will ever be able to match the beauty of a flower. I have chosen to make these earrings using only Burmese rubies the colour of the Maria Callas rose."

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  Michele della Valle, Ruby and diamond brooch. Estimate 2,600—3,800 CHF.

  "We live our times and our follies… It was lovely to receive postcards, but emojis provide immediate emotions! They inspired me to make these playful diamond and cabochon ruby pin brooches."

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