This model of earring from Kenneth Jay Lane was clearly a favourite with Audrey Hepburn and she is known to have owned at least three pairs, two of the design offered here and a further pair centred with a large faux pearl. She was much photographed wearing this model of earring including being photographed, with Elizabeth Taylor at the Art Against AIDS Charity Dinner, Basel, June 11, 1991; in 1992 when accepting her BAFTA award as well as by Adam Knott in New York City, New York, in December 1991 and also at the Palais Galliera, Paris, during the opening of the exhibition Givenchy: 40 Years of Creation, 21 October 1991.

Kenneth Jay Lane was a friend as well as a jeweller to many Hollywood stars; his life and joie de vivre have recently been celebrated a fresh following his sad death last year.

A similar simulated pearly set pair was sold: Audrey Hepburn: The Personal Collection, Part I, Christie's London, 27 September 2017, lot 245 (part); a further pair were sold: Audrey Hepburn: The Personal Collection, Part II, Christies Online, 19th September-4th October 2017, lot 502.

We are grateful to Eduardo Damasceno Sousa for his assistance in researching this lot.


Post Lot Text
This lot has been imported from outside the EU for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately.
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