biography
Showing posts with label biography. Show all posts
Pearl Blay
biography
feature designer
historical
8 Amazing Frida Kahlo Inspired Jewelry | The Life and Legacy of Frida Kahlo
Long beaded Frida Kahlo necklace (above) by of LatinxzCulturaViva. |
Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) was one of Mexico's greatest artists known not just for her vibrant art but also her multifaceted persona, activism through her art, and lived life to the fullest. She was courageous in the face of adversity and remained true to her own self.
She is best known for her many self portraits -55 in all - which features her iconic unibrow and her flamboyant floral head adornments and colourful attire. Her surrealist art style was used as a way to explore all kinds of themes including the human body, feminism, indigenous culture, politics, postcolonialism, gender, class, infertility and even chronic pain.
She was one of 4 daughters of German immigrant, Guillermo Kahlo and his mestiza (Spanish- indigenous) wife, Matilde Calderón y González. She showed artistic talent early on and was very close to her father who was a professional photographer.
Pearl Blay
biography
historical
royalty
The Virgin Queen's Jewels
When she was born, no one thought Elizabeth I of England (1533-1603) would grow up to become queen, let alone one of the greatest queens in history. Her more than 40 years on the throne brought relative peace and prosperity to England after the unsettling reigns of her half-brother Edward and half sister, Mary and before that, of their father, Henry VIII.
Elizabeth I in her coronation robes |
Pearl Blay
biography
historical
Mata Hari's Jewelry
Margaretha Geertruida Zelle (1876-1917) was a Dutch exotic dancer and courtesan best known as Mata Hari. She once half jokingly said to friends, "I will be celebrated or notorious." She also thought she would eventually die on the scaffold. It all came to pass except that she was shot not hung, accused as a spy during the First World War.
Mata Hari, 1906 |
Pearl Blay
auction
biography
celebrity jewelry
historical
Jane Austen's Ring
Jane Austen (1775-1817), the celebrated English novelist lived about 200 years ago. She wrote just 6 complete romantic fiction novels. Her acute and sometimes amusing observation of the landed gentry and the social mores of her day continue to delight both readers and scholars alike to this day.
Jane Austen at 13/14 Rice (descendants of Jane's brother) Portrait by Ozias Humphry |
Pearl Blay
biography
historical
Florence Nightingale Inspired Jewelry
It seems particularly fitting to feature Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) on Remembrance Day. She was the woman who pioneered modern nursing methods and brought about dramatic improvements to military and subsequently, civilian hospitals. She established nursing as a profession.
Pearl Blay
biography
historical
royalty
Cleopatra's Jewels
The story of Cleopatra VII (69-30 BC) and her reputation as the lover of not just one but two powerful Roman leaders has endured for over 2000 years. Yet, there was much more to the woman than her perceived ability to seduce men.
Pearl Blay
biography
famous gemstone
historical
royalty
Queen Marie de Medici and the Beau Sancy Diamond
Marie de Medici (1575 - 1642) was like her Medici predecessor, the notorious and murderous Catherine de Medici, in that they both came from the fabulously wealthy Italian banking family and both became Regent Queens of France. A stubborn and meddlesome woman, she nonetheless had some artistic aspirations. Her total lack of political acumen and her endless intriguing led to her downfall.
Pearl Blay
auction
biography
master jeweler
Suzanne Belperron's Jewelry
The vast majority of jewelry collections sold at auction are usually those belonging to royalty and extremely wealthy people. The upcoming Sotheby's auction of Suzanne Belperron's (1900- 1983) personal jewelry is an unusual exception for she was a noted French jewelry designer and one of the most influential ones of the 20th century.
Picture Source |
Pearl Blay
auction
biography
celebrity jewelry
The Reluctant Heiress' Jewels
Later this month, the amazing collection of Huguette Clark (1906-2011)will be up for auction at Christie's. It is uncommon to have such exquisite jewelry from a single owner be offered for sale.
Pearl Blay
biography
historical
royalty
Nell Gwyn's Jewelry
Nell Gwyn (1650 -1687) was King Charles II (1630-1685) of England's best loved and renowned mistress. A lovely and talented comic actress, she was also generous and famously witty. Unlike the other mistresses, Nell loved Charles for himself and not because he was king.
Pearl Blay
biography
historical
royalty
Yet this quiet, outwardly unassuming woman earned Henry's undying love simply because she was the only one to bear him a male heir.
Just when her position became secure, she tragically died due to complications following childbirth.
Queen Jane Seymour's Jewels
Jane Seymour (c.1508-1537) was the third of Henry VIII of England's (1491-1547) six wives. She is the least known and least documented of all his queens.
Yet this quiet, outwardly unassuming woman earned Henry's undying love simply because she was the only one to bear him a male heir.
Just when her position became secure, she tragically died due to complications following childbirth.
Pearl Blay
biography
historical
necklace
Lady Emma Hamilton's Pendant
Emma Hamilton by George Romney
Lady Emma Hamilton (1765 - 1815) was born Amy Lyons in very humble circumstances. Yet in adulthood, this beautiful woman with dark copper hair and dancing eyes became infamous as the mistress of Britain's greatest naval hero, Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson (1758 - 1805).
Their doomed love affair scandalized society as both were married at the time. It tragically ended when Nelson was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Lady Emma Hamilton (1765 - 1815) was born Amy Lyons in very humble circumstances. Yet in adulthood, this beautiful woman with dark copper hair and dancing eyes became infamous as the mistress of Britain's greatest naval hero, Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson (1758 - 1805).
Their doomed love affair scandalized society as both were married at the time. It tragically ended when Nelson was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Pearl Blay
biography
famous gemstone
historical
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier and the Hope Diamond
Image via Wikipedia
Jean Baptiste Tavernier (1605-1689) was an extraordinary French traveler and gemstone merchant who spent forty years away from home, trading in gemstones mostly in faraway India.
He goes down in history as the man who brought the precursor of the Hope Diamond called the Tavernier Blue back to Europe. He also left for posterity a remarkable record of his voyages and his diamond expertise which was later translated as Travels in India.
Jean Baptiste Tavernier (1605-1689) was an extraordinary French traveler and gemstone merchant who spent forty years away from home, trading in gemstones mostly in faraway India.
He goes down in history as the man who brought the precursor of the Hope Diamond called the Tavernier Blue back to Europe. He also left for posterity a remarkable record of his voyages and his diamond expertise which was later translated as Travels in India.
Pearl Blay
biography
historical
royalty
Princess Charlotte of Wales (1796 - 1817) was second in line to the British throne after her father, George the Prince of Wales (the future King George IV). But she died suddenly at 21 while he was still Regent standing in for his father, mad King George III.
Her untimely death changed the course of history. Had she lived, there would have been no Queen Victoria, no Victorian age, no Abdication Crisis, no Queen Elizabeth II and no Prince William for Kate Middleton to marry.
Princess Charlotte of Wales and Memento Mori Jewelry
Picture Source |
Her untimely death changed the course of history. Had she lived, there would have been no Queen Victoria, no Victorian age, no Abdication Crisis, no Queen Elizabeth II and no Prince William for Kate Middleton to marry.
Pearl Blay
biography
famous gemstone
historical
Lady Nancy Astor and the Sancy Diamond
Virginia- born Nancy Langhorne Astor (1879-1964) came from humble stock but grew up to become a Viscountess when she married Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor (1879-1952). This beautiful woman went on to make history as the first female Member of Parliament in the British House of Commons.
Her Southern Confederate family became impoverished after the American Civil War. Her rough, tough, hard-drinking father, Chiswell Langhorne struggled to provide for his family for many years. It wasn't until Nancy was in her early teens that he finally struck it rich in the railroad business.
Her Southern Confederate family became impoverished after the American Civil War. Her rough, tough, hard-drinking father, Chiswell Langhorne struggled to provide for his family for many years. It wasn't until Nancy was in her early teens that he finally struck it rich in the railroad business.
Pearl Blay
biography
gemstone
historical
jewelry
royalty
Queen Isabella of Castile's Jewels
When Isabella of Castile and Leon (1451- 1504) was born, no one ever imagined this princess would grow up not only to inherit the throne but became Spain's most accomplished Queen ever. Her marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon unified Spain. Together this remarkable couple turned a backwater nation into a world power.
Known as Isabel la Católica (Isabella the Catholic) for her devotion to her faith, both Isabella and Ferdinand (the "Catholic Monarchs") attempted to also unify Spain under one religion. This lead to the cruel oppression and later expulsion of the Moors and Jews - the infamous Spanish Inquisition tarnished their reputations. Isabella was also the queen who helped bankroll Christopher Columbus' voyages.
Known as Isabel la Católica (Isabella the Catholic) for her devotion to her faith, both Isabella and Ferdinand (the "Catholic Monarchs") attempted to also unify Spain under one religion. This lead to the cruel oppression and later expulsion of the Moors and Jews - the infamous Spanish Inquisition tarnished their reputations. Isabella was also the queen who helped bankroll Christopher Columbus' voyages.
Pearl Blay
biography
famous gemstone
gemstone
historical
jewelry
royalty
Lola Montez's Jewels
The tabloid press didn't exist back in the 19th century, but newspaper readers still avidly followed the exploits of Lola Montez (1818 -1861) as she lied and blazed her way through 3 continents.
An exotic dancer, adventuress, courtesan, sometime mistress to King Ludwig I of Bavaria, Lola reinvented herself so thoroughly, she would put today's chameleon celebrities to shame. Along the way, she amassed and parted with many jewelry gifts.
An exotic dancer, adventuress, courtesan, sometime mistress to King Ludwig I of Bavaria, Lola reinvented herself so thoroughly, she would put today's chameleon celebrities to shame. Along the way, she amassed and parted with many jewelry gifts.
Pearl Blay
biography
historical
jewelry
rare gemstone
royalty
Rare Gemstone : Alexandrite and the Last of the Romanovs
Alexandrite is a very rare and valuable form of chrysoberyl. It is a pleochroic gemstone i.e. one which can display color changes. It appears green in daylight but turns to red, mauve or brown under artificial light. It was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia and was named after Tsar Alexander II (1818-1881).
Pearl Blay
biography
famous gemstone
historical
royalty
Catherine de Medici : The Dark Queen's Jewels
Catherine de Medici (1519-1589) was born an Italian commoner but became the Queen Consort of France's Henry II. She was a remarkable woman but vilified by many as an evil one.
Known as the Dark or Black Queen, the Maggot from Italy's Tomb and even Madame La Serpente, Catherine fought like a tigress for her cubs and did whatever it took to preserve her children's Valois dynasty legacy. She endured numerous personal tragedies and setbacks which would have crushed weaker individuals.
Known as the Dark or Black Queen, the Maggot from Italy's Tomb and even Madame La Serpente, Catherine fought like a tigress for her cubs and did whatever it took to preserve her children's Valois dynasty legacy. She endured numerous personal tragedies and setbacks which would have crushed weaker individuals.
Pearl Blay
auction
biography
historical
necklace
royalty
Record breaking $8.7 million Chinese Imperial Pearl Necklace sold
Just last month, a record-breaking $8.7 million was paid for an 18th century Chinese Imperial ceremonial court pearl necklace at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong.
It once belonged to the 4th Manchu Emperor Yongzheng (1678-1735). The court portrait shows the Emperor wearing the necklace. The portrait thus provides authenticated historical ownership (provenance) which probably explains the large sum paid for it.
It once belonged to the 4th Manchu Emperor Yongzheng (1678-1735). The court portrait shows the Emperor wearing the necklace. The portrait thus provides authenticated historical ownership (provenance) which probably explains the large sum paid for it.
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