GOLD, DIAMOND AND RUBY BANGLE, VALENTIN MAGRO

• Lot Sold $82,000 (Hammer Price)
• $98,400 (Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)

The oval hinged bangle centring two addorsed snakes, pavé set throughout with round brilliant cut diamonds together weighing approximately 27.50 carats and accentuated with oval cabochon ruby set eyes, mounted in 18ct gold, signed VALENTIN MAGRO, inner diameter approximately 50mm.

Valentin Magro at age eighteen immigrated to the United States from Malta to study architecture and structural engineering. His skills as a draftsman combined with his interest in spatial relationships provided him with a strong foundation to change direction to the world of fine jewellery design. Eventually settling in New York and working for the famed jewellery houses of Tiffany & Co., David Webb and Harry Winston, Magro honed his skills at designing high end jewellery as an art form. Today, he designs and manufactures his own creations. The unique designs all share Magro's whimsical signature elements - the harmonious relationship of colour, dimension, movement and the theme of nature, whilst reflecting the personality of the wearer. The snake bangle in this lot was created for his client and friend, Joy Brogen, the renowned Metropolitan Opera soprano. In this large, voluptuous and elaborately engineered hinged bangle Magro captures Joy's fondness for snakes whilst preserving the perfect colour balance of the black and white spaces of the snake's skin.