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AuctionsAug 13, 2014
Designer, actress create ‘Ballerina Butterfly’ jewel
A brooch co-designed by jewelry maker Cindy Chao and actress Sarah Jessica Parker is expected to fetch nearly $1 million when it hits the auction block at Sotheby’s this fall.
The Ballerina Butterfly brooch “melds together Chao’s craftsmanship as one of the jewelry world’s premier artists along with Parker’s discerning eye for style and design,” Sotheby’s said.
Hong Kong--A brooch co-designed by jewelry maker Cindy Chao and actress Sarah Jessica Parker is expected to fetch nearly $1 million when it hits the auction block at Sotheby’s this fall.
Called the “2014 Black Label Masterpiece Ballerina Butterfly” brooch, the piece features a titanium and 18-karat gold body with a 26.27-carat cushion-cut fancy brown diamond, three rough brown diamond slices totaling 47.71 carats, three pieces of conch pearl totaling 7.25 carats, and 4,698 diamonds and fancy-colored diamonds weighing a total of 98.09 carats.
The brooch will be offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong sale of Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite on Oct. 7, where it is expected to sell for anywhere between $750,000 and $950,000.
Chao and Parker, whose friendship and mutual respect led to discussions of a collaboration, created the brooch over the course of two years.
The piece is Chao’s first art jewel collaboration, and also is part of her Black Label Masterpiece collection, for which she creates a butterfly jewel each year to “symbolize her metamorphosis as an artist,” Sotheby’s said.
“(Parker) truly appreciates the essence and soul of my creations, and I admire her innovative yet classic view on fashion and style,” Chao said. “My annual butterflies carry special meaning for me. Collaborating with Sarah Jessica for a cause we both deeply care for and believe in makes this Ballerina Butterfly all the more special in my heart.”
Net proceeds from the sale of the Ballerina Butterfly brooch will benefit the New York City Ballet, of which Parker sits on the board of directors.
Prior to the auction, the brooch will be on display throughout Asia and then in New York.
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