TEFAF, one of the world’s leading art fairs, is bringing its unique mix of art and jewellery from across the ages to New York for the first time.
Open daily, 11.30am-7pm.
The inaugural TEFAF New York will showcase more than 90 exhibitors at the historic Park Avenue Armory, including some of the world’s most talented contemporary jewellery artists and leading antique jewellery dealers.
The first Asian jeweller ever invited to exhibit at TEFAF, Wallace Chan comes to Manhattan with 40 one-of-a-kind creations, including his latest unveiling: a miniature, mystical masterpiece entitled A Tale of Dragons.
Having sliced a Qing dynasty white jade dragon belt hook in two, Wallace has created a pair of contrasting brooches depicting the legendary Chinese creature. The purity of the antique jade contrasts beautifully against a rainbow of multi-coloured titanium and precious gems.
The audacious designer, who constantly pushes the boundaries of creativity, will also present a large-scale titanium-gemstone sculpture entitled “Rise of Heart”. A peony flower encircled by butterflies, it rises 2.2m in height and features nearly 1,000 rubies, 500 citrines, 500 emeralds and a burst of yellow diamonds. It has to be seen to be believed.
At legendary Parisian jeweller Alexandre Reza, a passion for perfection and outstanding gemstones lives on in the founder’s son, Olivier Reza. The house comes to New York with further interpretations of its Dune collection, which was the centre of attention when first unveiled during Paris Couture Week in 2015. Diamonds and emeralds appear to float between lines of contrasting sandblasted and polished white gold, hanging from magnificent, pear-shaped emeralds.
German jeweller Hemmerle is no stranger to prestigious art fairs and brings its unique mix of minimalist design, innovative materials and exquisite combinations of colour and texture to TEFAF NY. Spiky, reverse-set blue sapphires contrast with Marc Rothko-esque agates of blue and yellow that recall a perfect summer’s day at the beach.
In another pair of earrings, the colour saturation is turned up to eleven out of ten. Faceted, magenta-purple rhodolites contrast with full-volume, grass-green emerald cabochons.
Vintage jewellery lovers are also in for a treat at TEFAF, with stellar selections from some of the world’s leading specialists. New York-based Siegelson is presenting a show-stopping necklace from Paul Flato, jeweller to the stars of Hollywood’s Golden era of the 1930s and 40s. Designed by Fulco di Verdura, it is a glamorous twist on the ultimate utilitarian accessory, the belt, in pave-set aquamarines with ruby accents.
America’s jewellery greats are also represented by Wartski in London, which will be showing a bold bracelet of graduated, alternating gold and amber by Tony Duquette (1914-1999). The multi-talented designer of interiors, costumes and jewellery counted the Duchess of Windsor and Greta Garbo among his collectors.
*This is a bi-annual event.
By Rachel Garrahan
Not to be missed
Tick off your passions for art and jewellery in one fell swoop with Wallace Chan’s priceless, larger-than-life “Rise of Heart” sculpture in titanium and precious gems.
