SOLD Massive Tortolani Zodiac Parure in Silver-Tone

Jewelry : Vintage : Other Designer

 

This is quite an amazing set, sterling-plated in antiqued silver-tone, very dimensional with wonderful detailing, and absolutely huge! The clamper bracelet has a very strong spring hinge at the centre back and also a nice firm catch which is located just to the side of the Virgo figure in the centre front. It is a generous size (I make the internal circumference just over 7 inches) and would fit most wrist sizes; I have a very small wrist, and it is a little loose on me. The width at the centre front is 2 inches, and it is very heavy. The necklace is 19 inches long, but as it fastens with a hook clasp it can be worn shorter, wherever you would like to fasten it along the chain. The pendant is enormous - 3 1/2 inches long by 3 inches wide, and again a very weighty piece. The ring is adjustable, and the circular 'Pisces' motif measures 1 1/8 inches across. All the pieces are deeply carved, and depict the various astrological signs - Virgo in the centre of the pendant, surrounded clockwise from the top by Aries, Gemini, Taurus, Aquarius, Leo, Capricorn, and Sagittarius. The same signs are featured on the bracelet - I can see Pisces, Libra, Scorpio and Cancer in there too! The ring is decorated with two fish, representing Pisces. This set without the ring is pictured on page 199 of 'Collectible Costume Jewelry' by Cherri Simonds, where it is valued at $1,000 to $1,200; the original price of the necklace and bracelet shown in that book was $200 in 1957, bought from the Detroit Hilton. The detailing on all these pieces is wonderfully crafted; as is very common with Tortolani, the reverse of all pieces is matt black finish. All are signed on the reverse, and are in excellent condition. There is a very small amount of wear to the necklace chain, on the 4 links next to the hook fastener. This is truly a show-stopping set - not for the shy!

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Item ID: D006