18ct Gold Foliate Earrings by Gilbert Albert for Omega
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Pair of 18ct gold earrings, Omega, design attributed to Gilbert Albert, circa 1969, of foliate design, each modelled as a textured openwork elliptical hoop, gross weight approximately 10.83 grams, numbered D797, maker's mark for Omega, approximately 22.5 mm x 12.5 mm, clip fittings. Other Notes: Gilbert Albert was born in Geneva in 1930. After studying jewellery craftsmanship and design at L'Ecole des Arts Industriels in Geneva, in 1955 at the age of 24 he joined Patek Philippe as designer and head of the workshop, breaking away from traditional shapes, he introduced asymmetrical triangles and rhombic forms inspired by his passion for modern sculpture and works by his favourite artists, such as Brancusi and Mondrian. He also introduced textured organic surfaces on the asymmetrical shapes designed for the Patek Philippe 'Ricochet' collection. His daring and unconventional case designs are considered as cutting-edge today as they were 50 years ago, in 1960 he went onto design for Omega, subsequently opening his own workshop in Geneva in 1962 specializing in the design and manufacture of unique jewels and objects. From 1958 to 1988, his fantastical and original pieces gained him the prestigious 'Oscar' award at the diamonds international Awards no less than ten times: three for Patek Philippe, two for Omega and five times under his own workshop founded in 1962 - a unique achievement, over the years, Albert's work has been exhibited around the world from London to Tokyo, Johannesburg to New York and he was the first living artist since 1917 to be invited to show his creations in the Moscow Kremlin, first in 1991 and again in 2003.
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- Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
- Attributed - A cataloguing term where the item in the opinion of the cataloguers, is a of the period of the artist, craftsman or designer, and which probably in whole or part is the work of that person.
- Openwork in Jewellery - Openwork, also known as pierced work, is a decorative technique used in jewellery making that involves removing or cutting out sections of metal from a piece of jewellery to create a pattern or design. This technique can be used in a wide range of jewellery styles, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.
Openwork jewellery can be made using a variety of different techniques, including hand carving, sawing, and laser cutting. The design can be simple or complex, and can feature a range of different shapes and motifs, from delicate floral patterns to bold geometric designs.
One of the advantages of openwork jewellery is that it can add visual interest and depth to a piece without adding a lot of weight or bulk. This can be particularly appealing in larger pieces, such as necklaces and bracelets, where heavy materials can be uncomfortable to wear. - Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
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