“ ‘Le Cabinet de Curiosités’ is a unique, off-site installation in which contemporary art converges with 18th- and 19th-century antiquities in a setting that blurs the confines of time and categorization.”[i] Conceived and curated by artist Thierry W Despont, this exhibition is on display at the Mercantile Exchange in Tribeca and is one of my favorite exhibitions currently on view. Once you step into the space, it immediately feels as if you have stepped into an 18^th century French residence with original 18^th and 19^th century paneling that was transported from France exclusively for the show. Also dwelling in this darkly lit space is beautiful rare antique furniture all from the Steinitz Collection, including, an original map table belonging to Napoleon. Peppered amongst these extraordinary antiques are contemporary pieces by Marlborough artists Thierry W Despont, Manolo Valdés and the late Claudio Bravo. While the artists offer diverse aesthetics stylistically, all are influenced by and reference the trompe l’oeil style. Whether its Despont’s assemblage sculptures from found objects, Valdes’ sculptures paying homage to Matisse, Picasso and Velázquez, in addition to, his works of bookcases made from raw and exotic woods or Bravo’s hyperrealist paintings of crumpled paper, parcel packaging and canvas backs, each artist seduces the eye by evoking life and emotion to what may otherwise be considered mundane objects.
Going through the show I was struck by the harmony created by mixing the old with the new, and am thus offering an interpretation through some of our antique and vintage pieces merged with some of the contemporary works from the show. The convergence of old and new is what I love so much about the jewels we have at Doyle & Doyle. We showcase special and unique jewelry from different time periods to be worn in a stylish new and contemporary way. Just like fine art, jewelry plays a special role in someone’s life.

Left: Manolo Valdés, “Mariposas doradas II,” 2011, brass, 30 x 87 x 30 inches, Edition of 9 © Courtesy of Marlborough Gallery

Right: Victorian Taille d’epargne Enamel & Pearl Necklace, fashioned in 14k. Item # 098085N $2400

L: Manolo Valdés, “Caballero,” 2010, bronze, 63 x 54 x 23 inches, Edition of 9, © Courtesy of Marlborough Gallery

R: Reverse Painted Crystal Equestrian Pin, measuring 23mm in diameter. Fashioned in 18k yellow gold. Item # 99991494P $850

L: Claudio Bravo, “La memoire du futur,” 2001, oil on canvas, 35 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches, © Courtesy of Marlborough Gallery

R: Cameo Engraved Gold Cuff Bracelet, centering a cameo measuring 30 x 22 mm, fashioned in 14k. Item # 99991033B $1500

L: Claudio Bravo, “Beige y morado/Beige and Purple,” 2010, oil on canvas, 76 3/4 x 51 1/8 inches, © Courtesy of Marlborough Gallery

R: Vintage Amethyst & Pearl Ring, centering an amethyst measuring app. 15.5 x 12mm, weighing app. 6.5ct, framed by seed pearls measuring app. 2mm., fashioned in 14k. Size 5.5. Item # 098395R $1200

L: Thierry W Despont, “Insect 23,” 2007, Mixed media, In display box: 19 3/4 x 15 1/2 x 5 inches © Courtesy of Marlborough Gallery

R: Vintage Long Bug Earrings, with pearls rangng in size from 4.8 -9.3mm, additionally set with Rose Cut white sapphires measuring app. 2-3mm, fashioned in 22k. Length 2.5 inches. Item # 098205E $2800

L: Thierry W Despont, “Mask 69,” 2006, Mixed media on wooden board, 25 x 32 x 7 inches, © Courtesy of Marlborough Gallery

R: Road Runner Pin, fashioned in 14k. Item # 99991612P $950

I highly recommend catching Le Cabinet de Curiosités at 6 Harrison Street on the 2^nd Floor, which closes February 29^th. Exhibition hours are 11am-5pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

For any inquiries regarding the Doyle & Doyle pieces shown above please contact the store at: 212-677-9991 or via email at: info@doyledoyle.com.

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[i] Staff. Marlborough Gallery, “Exhibition; Le Cabinet de Curiosités: 6 Harrison Street, TriBeCa.” Accessed February 1, 2012. http://www.marlboroughgallery.com/exhibitions/le-cabinet-de-curiosits.

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This week’s Engagement Ring of the Week is an ode to Downton Abbey which has captured the hearts of all of us at Doyle & Doyle. The combination of an Edwardian period show, the dramatic plot and the outstanding jewelry has us all feverishly anticipating what new twists, turns and beautiful baubles will be showcased with each episode.  Therefore, the ring highlighted this week is an Edwardian Diamond Ring, centering an Old European weighing app. .10ct, framed by twelve Old Europeans weighing app. .12ctw, additionally set with thirty-four Old European & Single cut diamonds all weighing app. 0.66ctw., fashioned in platinum.  Size 6. 098187R $3200.

The Edwardian era spanned the reign of King Edward VII from 1901 to 1910. However, some historians will extend the Edwardian period beyond his death up until the start of the first World War in 1914 or even up to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. The Edwardian period is often regarded as the romantic golden age or the British Empire and much of its design aesthetic was influenced by the graceful and florid aesthetic of the Rococo period in France. Similar to Rococo style, Edwardian jewelry is often characterized as feminine, delicate and lacy marked by such popular motifs as wreaths, tassels, bows and garlands. Jewelry during this time was primarily made to compliment the popular fabrics of the period of silk and lace.

This ring is a hallmark to Edwardian style with its lacy tactile-ness and delicate femininity. It is truly a stunning example of the romantic style that permeated the Edwardian era and can easily be seen being worn by any of the Crawley ladies, from Downton Abbey.

For more information on this piece please contact the store at: 212-677-9991 or via email at: info@doyledoyle.com.

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This week’s Last week’s featured Engagement Ring of the Week is of a popular style; it is the three-stone engagement ring. Typically these rings have a larger diamond set in the middle and two smaller diamonds flanking the center stone. Three-stone diamond engagement rings are sometimes called trinity rings or trilogy rings where the three matching diamonds are set horizontally in a row with the bigger stone in the center.

This vintage engagement ring is particularly special as it features three larger diamonds of very good size and quality. It is almost like having three engagement rings in one!

The three diamonds on the ring are typically said to represent the couple’s past, present, and future, however, this arrangement can also represent the Holy Trinity. Using these or other meanings behind the number three can be a romantic touch that you could share with your fiancé.

For more information on any of these pieces please contact the store at: 212-667-9991 or via email at: info@doyledoyle.com

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Today, January 14^th, is National Dress Up Your Pet Day. I promise this is a real “howliday.” While the origins of the holiday are unknown, here at Doyle & Doyle we are always happy to pamper our pets, especially when it comes to decking them out in fine jewelry. Therefore, why not set up a photo shoot with two of our favorite pets and some of our most fabulous jewels.

Brian was such a good sport during the shoot and I think secretly enjoyed getting all dolled up.

On the other hand, Crash was not as enthusiastic. However, even in distressing times he still looks dapper in a striped sweater and diamond “dog collar.”

Thank you to Mariel and Katherine Tyler of MTKT Foto for the fantastic photos.

I think that for any of you who have a pet, take the time out today to dress up your four-legged family member, possibly even in matching outfits, and take a stroll through the neighborhood. However, since it is quite cold outside here in NYC, maybe just a jaunt to the corner store will suffice.

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For this week’s Engagement Ring of the Week, we are going to step outside the arena of engagement rings and take a look ahead by looking back…

Last week I was on the train when I noticed a dapper older gentleman reading a book; however, what initially drew my attention to him was the gorgeous wedding band that he was wearing. This gentleman’s ring was a yellow gold, approximately 6mm wide and decorated with ornate metal work and looking at his band; however, it seems as though today rings like these are customary worn by men of a certain age/generation. And while, as mentioned in a previous post, the adornment of wearing wedding bands is a newer custom, it is even more so for men. Commonly men did not don wedding bands fearing the stigma of wearing a band looking feminine. However, it wasn’t until the Second World War that men’s wedding bands rose in popularity. It has been said that men would chose to wear wedding bands during this time to look at as a reminder of their wives during war time. After this time men became more accepting of wearing wedding bands and the tradition has continued today for a majority of married men.

1. Vintage Gent’s Two-toned Gold Wedding Band;designed with a ridged gold central position finished with white gold curved edges, measuring 6mm in width. Fashioned in 14k. Stamped “RAMCO 14k” with makers mark. Size 10. Item # 090988R $850

2.Vintage Gent’s Platinum & Gold Wedding Band; designed with a central ridged band of platinum, flanked by a gold rope twist, finished with smooth gold edges. The band measures 6.6mm in width. Stamped “18k PLAT 950″ with unidentified maker’s mark. Size 10 1/4. Item # 090984R $1200

3. Vintage Two-toned Half Round Wedding Band; measuring app. 5.5mm wide, designed with gold and palladium moving sections suspended between palladium wires, set with a round brilliant cut diamond weighing app. .03ctw, fashioned in palladium & 18k gold. Stamped with maker’s mark for Christian Bauer. Size 11. Item # 094025R $1050

4. Vintage Gent’s Diamond Lion Ring; set with a round brilliant cut diamond weighing app. .10ct. Fashioned in 14k gold. Item # 092784R $2500

5. Vintage Signet Ring; measuring app. 8mm wide at widest, fashioned in 14k gold. Size 9.25. Item # 096809R $2800

6. Art Nouveau Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring; centering an Old Mine Brilliant Cut weighing app. .72ct (GH color, VS1 clarity), in a heavily hand chased mounting, fashioned in 18k. French. Size 8. Item # 095744R $4800

7. Vintage Diamond Gent’s Ring; centering a Round Brilliant Cut diamond weighing app. .15ct., fashioned in 14k gold. Size 9.5. Item # 097262R $895

8. Vintage Two-toned Faceted Gold Wedding Band;designed as a faceted gold central band flanked by millegraining and finished with smooth white gold edges. The band measures 6.8mm in width. Fashioned in 14k. Stamped “14k”. Size 10. Item # 090992R $850

Nevertheless, I have noticed quite a difference in the wedding band style that many younger men are choosing today, as opposed to men that were married in the 50s, 60s, 70s and even 80s. Many bridegrooms today are opting out of wearing a decorative wedding band/ring and are typically looking for a simple metal band and often looking for something with a more industrial look by requesting the metal to be unfinished instead of polished or even going as far as, selecting a titanium or tungsten ring. However, a stylized band should not be discredited. Frequently, men are happily surprised at how a yellow gold band compliments their skin-tone and how fine touches like millegrain is nostalgic of their father or grandfather’s wedding band. Furthermore, a decorative band is a great display of one’s personal style and selecting one which speaks to one’s individuality. Therefore, whether choosing a signet or lion ring, opting for a band with engraved patterning, ornate metal work, a, or just the addition of millegrain or even a band with a diamond, the men getting married today should not disrepute having a stylized piece for a wedding band.

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A vintage video like this one from British Pathé is truly a “Style Gem.” Thank you to my colleague Jacob for finding this treasure; all of us here at Doyle & Doyle have loved watching this and I think each one of us has found a pair of earrings that fits our personality. Enjoy!