JEAN VENDOME "Cravate". Long articulated necklace in yellow - Lot 238

JEAN VENDOME "Cravate". Long articulated necklace in yellow gold 750 thousandths, composed of a fall of flowers and amethyst quartz slices, in a ladder whose textured steps are studded with small brilliant-cut diamonds as well as four larger ones at its end. Master hallmark. 1967/1968. Length of neck: 44 cm. Tie height: 32.5 cm. Gross weight: 150.20 g. It is preserved in very good condition in a case belonging to Jean-Claude Barbot in Saintes, where it was exhibited in 1977-1978 on the occasion of the opening of his boutique. Thereafter, it was never put up for sale, remaining in his possession and then in the family to this day. "Cravate", one of Jean VENDOME's most emblematic creations, free and playful. A flexible ladder that descends to the navel, but also - and this is Jean VENDOME's preference - worn more casually on the bare back. Articulated like the spine, it embraces its flexibility and suppleness. "Cravate", a relationship with the body. "Cravate", through its freedom to wear, bears witness to a period, a creativity. One-of-a-kind. Only five different and unique "Cravate" necklaces have ever been created. Our example, the second, with falling flowers and slices of amethyst, is reproduced on page 160 in Marlène Crégut-Ledué's book, "Jean VENDOME, les voyages précieux d'un créateur" - Éditions Faton, with whom we collaborated for this appraisal.