Jewellery, Watches, Antiquities and Objects of Vertu

A pair of gem-set ear clips by Marina B, of tapering form, each inset with an oval cabochon pale green tourmaline and round cabochon blue topaz, to two colour setting, the reverse signed ‘© MarinaB 1984’ and numbered ‘F479’, (each lacking small screw fitting to the reverse), with signed maker’s case, length 20mm. £1,400-£1,600

Born in 1930 to one of the world’s most famous family jewel houses, Bulgari, Marina Bulgari grew up in Rome, Athens and Corfu. She worked in the family business for several years before launching her own jewellery range in 1976, making her name as one of the leading women designers of this generation, whilst honouring her family’s long and prestigious heritage. Her bold and contemporary designs, with a strong Italian flavour, proved hugely successful, and Marina opened her first showroom in Geneva in 1978, with further boutiques following in Milan, Paris and New York, Jeddah and Tokyo. She designed a signature cut and shape of gemstone - between a pear-cut and a triangular cut - which can be found throughout her jewellery designs. In 1999 Marina sold her company to the Sheik of Jeddah, Ahmed Fitaihi, of Saudi Arabia.