Red Pate de Verre & Pearl 1930s Lariat Necklace and Earrings Set by Maison Gripoix for Chanel
Item #BB111262
The necklace measures 23-3/4" long. It is composed of white glass faux pearls individually knotted between each, with a ring clasp in the middle of the strand. At each end is a 2" "tassel" of red pate de verre (poured glass) petals. At the tip of each petal is a brilliant white rhinestone. Rhinestone rondelles and faux pearls finish the tassel at top and bottom. The necklace is meant to be worn looped around the neck and then tied at the front. The matching earrings measure 2" long. Their gold-tone clip backs are marked FRANCE. These pieces can be attributed to Maison Gripoix for Chanel and dated to the late 1930s by the books "European Designer Jewelry" by Ginger Moro and "A Collector's Guide to Costume Jewelry" by Tolkien and Wilkinson. A picture of the matching bracelet can be seen on page 93 of the Tolkien and Wilkinson book.
These extremely delicate pieces are in remarkable condition for their age. No wear to faux pearls. There are 3 rhinestones missing and one dead rhinestone on one of the necklace tassels. The other tassel is missing 2 rhinestones, but there are no dead stones. One earring is missing 1 rhinestone, and the other is not missing any stones, but has one dead stone. There has been some very minor flaking of the glass in the top row of petals, at the very top of the tassels where they join the rhinestone rondelles. This can only be seen with lighted magnification. One of the earring clips has some traces of old adhesive from a comfort pad. Clips of both earrings hold well. No verdigris.
This is a very rare set of jewelry from one of history's great designers, produced by the greatest glass artists of Art Deco France.
(SOLD)
