GLUTTONIZING

Of course I like jagged crystal teeth, and glimmering crowns fashioned from hands...  And so does Rupert Kojima, the designer behind Hotel Gluttony, and the creator of these seriously beautiful and very mad jewelry objets. (My kinda boy.)

Unfortunately, there's not too much info out and about on the web to be had— just that Kojima creates the pieces for the imaginary guests of "Hotel Gluttony."  Evidently, they're "sexually powerful" and "promiscuous" but they don't want to look like sluts. You know what?  It's high time for a vacation.



Images via Hotel Gluttony.

HEADING FOR RUIN

GEMS (in more ways than one!) on Peter Carl Fabergé.  I've been reading up like a madwoman.  I'm obsessed and heading for ruin (see "on heading for ruin," below).  Is it evident?

On Peter Carl Fabergé, the man:

...If we are to find some explanation for the goodness of Fabergé...we must go once again to his sense of humor, his sense of the ridiculous.  Shortly put, I would say this, when anything presented itself to be done, he never thought of it as 'bad' or 'good' as generally defined, but as silly and stupid or not silly and not stupid.

On "killing the diamond," rethinking luxury:

Carl and Agathon Fabergé drew in their horns when they made a departure from objects of jewelry to objects of fantasy. Alexander III drew in his horns when he commissioned Fabergé to make him a set of Easter eggs and not tiaras.... These three men virtually killed the diamond and all the other precious stones; not as objects of brilliance and beauty in their own right, but as those symbols of power and riches and magic...  From henceforth it was assumed that to offer any gift in which the value of the workmanship was exceeded by that of the materials employed, that is to say any article which had blatantly written across it 'I have cost a lot of money' was taboo.  To the rule there was one exception only, when the recipient was a near relative or very dear friend.

And, on heading for ruin (in style.  This is how it's DONE, yeah!):

[Alexander III, Carl and Agathon Fabergé] pointed [out] that only by the work of his own hands can man fully realize himself, that to obsess himself with those things in which he has had no hand in the making is to induce a state of creeping sickness leading finally to ruin.

Text from Peter Carl Fabergé: His Life and Work by Henry Charles Bainbridge.
Images from Russian Imperial Style by Laura Cerwinske.

THE ROCKS THAT I GOT

Okay, more like, rock (crystal) that I wish I had. And my deepest apologies for the J Lo reference, hahaaaa.

Images from Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels, Oct 1998 auction.

Above, Highly Important Art Deco eighteen-karat gold, rock crystal and enamel temple clock, Van Cleef & Arpels, Paris, c. 1926, made byb Verger Frères.

Made by Verger Frères, renowned during the 1920's for their spectacular timepieces, the present clock represents the perfect confluence of technical craftsmanship and Art Deco design.  Georges Verger achieved fame as the only clock maker besides Cartier who possessed the secret of the famous "mystery clocks" which the firm manufactured for Van Cleef & Arpels.  Verger Frères was no less well known, however, for its meticulously and lavishly detailed table clocks, often decorated with exotic motifs.  Although the present clock is styled as a Japanese temple door and the dial surround is decorated with grisaille enamel signs of the zodiac in the manner of antique Roman cameos, the motifs blend seamlessly.  The clock is a remarkable example of superb craftsmanship and exotic and sophisticated Art Deco design.  $200,000- 250,000.

Above, Eighteen-karat gold, rock crystal and diamond bracelet, David Webb.

Above, Suite of eighteen-karat gold, rock crystal, diamond and enamel jewelry, David Webb.

Jewel Tree

Approaching the age-old question once again:  what to do with my excessive number of old brooches. The nice thing about this lamp solution is that it solves some storage issues.  I'm sure the lamp will grow increasingly obese with bling.  Also, I can pick the brooches off as I see fit, in case I should have the desire to well, look like my lamp.

Styled and photographed by (IN)DECOROUS TASTE.

Silver and Silk

I ran across the work of Katherine Sturgis today, and all I have to say is:  She makes bitchin' bracelets.

In fact, all her jewelry is filled with delightfully unexpected contrasts in texture, like these bracelets with their chunky silver chains, woven silk, and vintage rhinestones. How is it that I'd not heard of her earlier?