The glamour of Hollywood on show in Museum of Style Icons

Des O’Sullivan admires the treasure trove of big-screen jewellery which has just opened in Newbridge.

The Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons has pulled off another coup with a preview of iconic items from the famous costume jeweller, Joseff of Hollywood, to be sold by Julien’s Auctions of Hollywood next November.

From the necklace worn by Vivien Leigh to the one-of-a-kind cigar case used by Clark Gable in Gone With the Wind (1939), the museum will display a range of pieces in its Co Kildare premises until May 14.

The Loretta Young crown from ‘Suez’.

Rich in important Hollywood memorabilia from a golden age of screen, the display will include jewellery worn by legendary stars including Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth, Vivien Leigh, Judy Garland, Olivia de Havilland, and Greta Garbo among an impressive list of Hollywood’s biggest stars who wore Joseff’s designs.

Highlights of the sale include earrings worn by Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), and also in Some Like it Hot (1959).

On display too, is a range of necklaces worn by Bette Davis in The Virgin Queen (1955), and a brooch worn by Marlene Dietrich in Shanghai Express (1932).

A pair of earrings worn by Marilyn Monroe in ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’.

Loretta Young’s crown and comb from Suez (1938) is shown, along with a necklace, earrings and ornaments worn by Greta Garbo in Camille (1936).

Order chains worn by Katherine Hepburn in Mary of Scotland (1936) and a necklace worn by Judy Garland in Ziegfeld Follies (1946) are also among the highlights, as are a brooch worn by Lana Turner and a medallion worn by Vincent Price in The Three Musketeers (1948).

Olivia de Havilland’s necklace in My Cousin Rachel (1952) will be on display too.

Joseff of Hollywood was established in the late 1920s and by the 1930s and 1940s, the business was supplying nearly 90% of all jewellery worn on screen in American movies.

This one-of-a-kind cigar case was used by Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) in ‘Gone with the Wind’.

The firm developed a plating technique specifically designed to soften the glare of the harsh studio lighting, and to give every piece a veneer of authenticity.

After Eugene Joseff’s untimely death in 1948, his wife JC managed the business until her death aged 97 in 2010.

The live and online series of auctions take place at Julien’s next November 16 and 17.

www.newbridgesilverware.com

Historic paintings and more at Mealy’s 

Eclectic sale includes an 18th century Cork clock, writes Des O’Sullivan

The Spring sale at Mealy’s in Castlecomer offers everything from a Cork long case clock by James Aickin (€1,200-1,800) to a portrait of Anna of Austria, Queen of Spain after Alonso Sánchez Coello (€2,500-€3,000).

A portrait of Anna of Austria, Queen of Spain at Mealy’s

Also included in the two-day event is a fine pair of 12-bore double-barrel sporting ejector guns by WJ Jeffery and Co Ltd, (€5,000-€8,000).

More than 1,000 lots will come under the hammer next Tuesday and Wednesday at 11am on each day.

Prime lots include A Man of War firing a sail with figures on the shoreline

by Adriaen Van Diest (1655-1704) (€8,000-12,000), a rare set of 14 carved Victorian dining chairs by Eadon and Sons, Sheffield (€6,000-8,000); a two-seater pony trap in pristine condition by McKeon, Dumbarton (€900-1,400); and a pair of weathered near life-size Medici lions (€1,200-1,500).

A long case clock by the Cork maker, James Aickin at Mealy’s.

A portrait of a military officer attributed to Jonathan Richardson (1665-1745) carries an estimate of €4,000 to €6,000 and a portrait of Gerald Fitzgerald, 5th Duke of Leinster attributed to Stephen Catterson Smith (1806-1872) is guided at €2,000-3,000.

There is a selection of antique furniture and collectables including militaria, garden furniture; porcelain; glass and a collection of family silver previous held in a bank vault.

The sale is on view in Castlecomer from noon to 5pm tomorrow and from 10am to 5pm on Monday.