Sterling Jewelers Blog
March 6th, 2014
Pablo Picasso is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century, and some of his work ranks among the most expensive paintings in the world with price tags exceeding $100 million. But next Tuesday, you could scoop up an original Picasso at a Boston auction house for about $20,000. Here’s how...

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Besides being one of the most prolific painters of his generation, Picasso was also a sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, stage designer, poet, playwright… and jewelry designer.

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Skinner will be featuring three of Picasso’s original jewelry creations during its Fine Jewelry Auction on Tuesday, March 18. Each of the items is estimated to sell in the range of $15,000 to $20,000.

According to Skinner’s website, Picasso created the pieces early in his career for Françoise Gilot, the mother of two his children, Claude and Paloma Picasso. Art experts believe Picasso’s jewelry reflected his softer side and were the most intimate expressions of his affection.

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The most bizarre of the three items is a dimensional “Satyr” pendant cast in silver. A satyr is a character from Roman mythology that has a man’s face and a goat’s ears, tail, legs and horns. Skinner explains that satyrs, minotaurs, bulls and bullfighting were all favorite Picasso motifs.

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The second item is a silver brooch etched with the profile of Claude as a boy. The third item is a silver disc pendant etched with Picasso’s interpretation of the sun.

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Since he wasn’t a jeweler by trade, it is believed Picasso made the silver castings with the assistance of his dentist. The three silver pieces found their way to Skinner’s auction house via Carole Mallory, an author, actress and former supermodel, who had once been engaged to Claude.

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On the day before the sale, Mallory will present a lecture at Skinner titled “Uncovering the Mystery of the Picasso Jewels.”  In 2012, she published Picasso’s Ghost (A Love Story), an account of her love affair with Claude and her life in New York City’s fast lane during the disco era.

Jewelry Photos: Skinner's