Sotheby's April Magnificient Jewels auction in Hong Kong featured Verdura's signature design - a jadeite wrapped heart brooch/pendant (estimated 70,000 - 82,000 USD)

Duke Fulco di Verdura was a master jeweler originally from an aristocratic Sicilian family who was famous for his whimsical and yet elegant creations. He once worked for Coco Chanel before founding his own company where his designs still endure and delight us today. Amongst his admirers and collectors were such society luminaries as the Duchess of Windsor, Greta Garbo and Barbara Hutton the Woolworth heiress. Another heiress, Doris Duke, whose magnificent collection of jewelry also features some delightful Verdura designs such as his feather brooch.

Today Verdura pieces are still highly sought after.

References

http://www.lifeinitaly.com/beauty/verdura.asp

Pat Corbett's biography Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler is available from Amazon

http://www.cnn.com/STYLE/9809/09/verdura/