Woman's jewelry suite in four parts

Elsa Schiaparelli, a leading Parisian fashion designer of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, was a proponent of wearing faux jewelry as a means of self-expression and she, along with her rival, Coco Chanel, helped to remove the stigma of wearing fake jewels. More than Chanel, however, Schiaparelli was immersed in the art movements of the day and worked closely with artists Salvador Dali, Jean Cocteau, and Alberto Giacometti to create highly imaginative and whimsical ornaments that were visually strong and appealing. Here, sinuous metal forms are adorned with colored glass "gems," resulting in pieces that are elegant, dramatic, and witty.