Black Opal and Diamond Pendant—"Aqua Profonda"
Designed by Jenni Brammall and carved by Daniela L'Abbate
Coocoran Opal Fields, Lightning Ridge, Australia
Aptly named "Aqua Profonda" in Italian meaning "Deep Water" this pendant represents the finest, classic black opal available from the world's premier locality for the mineral—-Lightning Ridge, Australia.
The significantly-sized rough was found by opal miner, Peter Drackett. However, its beauty was brought out by local lapidary artist Daniela L'Abbate, who carved and contour polished it until it realized its present weight of approximately 99.0 carats. A suggestion of waves and swirling seas is evoked. The opal is defined by its true black body color and fantastic play-of-color in blue and green.
Creating a statement as a contemporary one-of-a-kind art piece, a free-form mounting was fabricated by Lightning Ridge goldsmith, Gerd Schulz in 18K white gold. Suspended from a five-strand lapis lazuli bead necklace with two silver bead spacers and a 14K white gold clasp, the muted colors of the indigo-hued lapis contrast beautifully with the brightness of the opal, length 24 in.
Offered in a wooden presentation box.
Purchased from Bonhams, Natural History, New York, Jun 1, 2009, Sale 17502, lot 1498.
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/17502/lot/1498/
Accompanied by a poster for the fashion show in which the black opal necklace was featured. The necklace was made especially for the 35th annual Australian Masters of Fashion event held annually in Melbourne—Australia's premier fashion design competition for evening and bridal wear. The pendant "Aqua Profonda" was made especially for this show.
GLORIA MANNEY
Every curator, dealer and auctioneer who has met Gloria Manney called her "one of a kind" or said, "they don't make 'em like her anymore." She was a voracious collector with a style, intelligence, curiosity, courage and point of view all her own.
Along with her husband, Richard Manney, they researched and collected an amazing array of material culture and built entire markets for objects by aiding scholars in their work, including rare books and 18th and 19th Century fine and decorative arts. Their collections included the greatest assemblages of American portrait miniatures and American colonial goldsmithing, both now at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Their furniture resides at Winterthur, The Met and The Art Institute of Chicago.
But above all the objects in their lives, Opals were Gloria's first and foremost passion from childhood. They were her birthstone, her playthings, and her favorite adornment. No opal passed her by, as she believed every opal needed a home. A magpie by nature, their beauty entranced her. Gloria worked with dealers and auctioneers around the world to find opals. And the opals found her.
View it on
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
Designed by Jenni Brammall and carved by Daniela L'Abbate
Coocoran Opal Fields, Lightning Ridge, Australia
Aptly named "Aqua Profonda" in Italian meaning "Deep Water" this pendant represents the finest, classic black opal available from the world's premier locality for the mineral—-Lightning Ridge, Australia.
The significantly-sized rough was found by opal miner, Peter Drackett. However, its beauty was brought out by local lapidary artist Daniela L'Abbate, who carved and contour polished it until it realized its present weight of approximately 99.0 carats. A suggestion of waves and swirling seas is evoked. The opal is defined by its true black body color and fantastic play-of-color in blue and green.
Creating a statement as a contemporary one-of-a-kind art piece, a free-form mounting was fabricated by Lightning Ridge goldsmith, Gerd Schulz in 18K white gold. Suspended from a five-strand lapis lazuli bead necklace with two silver bead spacers and a 14K white gold clasp, the muted colors of the indigo-hued lapis contrast beautifully with the brightness of the opal, length 24 in.
Offered in a wooden presentation box.
Purchased from Bonhams, Natural History, New York, Jun 1, 2009, Sale 17502, lot 1498.
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/17502/lot/1498/
Accompanied by a poster for the fashion show in which the black opal necklace was featured. The necklace was made especially for the 35th annual Australian Masters of Fashion event held annually in Melbourne—Australia's premier fashion design competition for evening and bridal wear. The pendant "Aqua Profonda" was made especially for this show.
GLORIA MANNEY
Every curator, dealer and auctioneer who has met Gloria Manney called her "one of a kind" or said, "they don't make 'em like her anymore." She was a voracious collector with a style, intelligence, curiosity, courage and point of view all her own.
Along with her husband, Richard Manney, they researched and collected an amazing array of material culture and built entire markets for objects by aiding scholars in their work, including rare books and 18th and 19th Century fine and decorative arts. Their collections included the greatest assemblages of American portrait miniatures and American colonial goldsmithing, both now at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Their furniture resides at Winterthur, The Met and The Art Institute of Chicago.
But above all the objects in their lives, Opals were Gloria's first and foremost passion from childhood. They were her birthstone, her playthings, and her favorite adornment. No opal passed her by, as she believed every opal needed a home. A magpie by nature, their beauty entranced her. Gloria worked with dealers and auctioneers around the world to find opals. And the opals found her.
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
Similar Items
