JCKstyle - February 9, 2007
Barcelona may already be a mecca for art enthusiasts (some 45 museums are located there), but a new traveling exhibit familiarizes non-Barcelonans with the diversity of the Spanish city's culture.
Barcelona and Modernity: Gaudí to Dalí highlights an artistically mature Barcelona, where inspired artists such as painter Joan Miró and jeweler Bagués-Masriera exist. The jeweler is delighted to be included in the exhibits and, to commemorate the event, has re-created 10 five-piece limited-edition collections based on half of the 10 jewelry pieces chosen by curators for the show. While the jewelry—all displaying Masriera's signature art-nouveau style—is cast from antique molds, prices are modern: Each retails for $102,000.
Joseph Meli, Masriera's director of U.S. operations, told JCKstyle that his firm selected the five most Masriera-representative pieces to duplicate. For example, pieces with landscape and portrait motifs were chosen because of their use throughout Masriera history.
At press time, eight sets were sold: Sets 1 through 5 were bought by a jeweler in New York City; No. 6 went to a store in Northern California; No. 7 is being used for display at shows—the recently held Centurion Jewelry Show and the upcoming BaselWorld; and No. 8 was purchased by a store in the Northwest, while 9 and 10 are still available for purchase. All sets come with a single certificate of authenticity.
See the exhibit from March 7, 2007, through June 3, 2007, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Reach Masriera officials at (800) 472-9872.
Weekly Gem
The more that the industry understands that sparkles help sell accessories (think cell phones and handbags) the more adventuresome designers become. For example, James Breski converted a single-action, North American "mini" pistol from drab to fab by trading out a wooden handle for one made of 18k gold and 11.00 cts. t.w. diamonds (including one bedazzled bullet). The working weapon costs $20,000.
