Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler

Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler (book review)
A master of metamorphosis, Sicilian duke-turned-jewelry-designer Fulco di Verdura (1898-1978) studded seashells with precious gems, transformed sailor's knots into pearl-encrusted necklaces, and wrapped blazing ruby hearts with braided gold rope. Since the mid-20th century, his ultrasophisticated neo-Baroque pieces have been the status symbols of a near-secret society of European blue bloods, Hollywood royalty, and Park Avenue patricians. Verdura's by-appointment-only patrons included Wallis Simpson, Marlene Dietrich, and Diana Vreeland, who considered his Maltese Cross cuffs an essential part of her daily uniform.

In this lavish book, featuring fresh color photographs as well as vintage images, Patricia Corbett presents a deft evaluation of Verdura's work and a glimpse inside his impossibly glamorous world.

Previously Verdura Museum exhibition:
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
November 16, 2007 through February 17, 2008.

Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler will be on display inside The Smith Gem Vault at the Museum, a permanent exhibition where intensely hued jeweled masterpieces float vibrantly in utter darkness. Since its debut in November 2006, The Smith Gem Vault has acquired a dazzling reputation as an exhibition of some of the most mesmerizing cut and polished jewels ever displayed in a single exhibit. Admission to Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler is included in admission to the Museum's permanent exhibition halls.