Iconic Jewellery Houses
At Pragnell, we strive to source pieces that represent the pinnacle of jewellery design, craftsmanship, or stone discovery. This includes items from the heyday of renowned jewellery houses such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Tiffany & Co., as well as from lesser-known yet highly influential jewellers like Boivin and Sterlé. Our antique collection if created today, would undoubtedly qualify as masterpieces.
Tiffany & Co.
Founded in 1837, Tiffany & Co. is the most famous American jeweller. They gained significant acclaim during the "Gilded Age" and built a reputation for high-quality diamonds, attracting many of America's wealthiest families. Today, the brand remains important in the jewellery industry, producing a variety of items, including high jewellery, silverware, and crystal.
Pragnell features a carefully curated selection of Tiffany & Co. pieces, from Art Deco diamond line bracelets to Retro Elsa Peretti designs and special pieces from the early 20th century when the company created some of its most infamous pieces.
Cartier
Founded in Paris in 1847, Cartier has a rich and illustrious history that has defined the jewellery world for nearly two hundred years. Known as “the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers” by King Edward VII, Cartier represents luxury, showcasing exceptional designs and craftsmanship.
Pragnell is proud to offer a carefully created selection of Cartier pieces, spanning the Art Deco period to the 1990s, focusing on jewels made between 1847 and 1964. During this time, the House was under family control and at its peak in design and innovation.
Bvlgari
Bvlgari, founded in Rome in 1884, is known for its distinctive Italian style, combining bold yellow and rose gold with coloured gemstones and diamonds. Its popularity surged due to the late Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who, while filming "Cleopatra" in Rome during the 1960s, fell in love with her co-star, Richard Burton. Their frequent visits to the Via Condotti boutique led to many pieces becoming part of her collection.
At Pragnell, we specialise in bold gold pieces from the Retro period, particularly those from the Parentesi range. Family-owned until 2011, Bvlgari produced many truly iconic pieces during this Retro era.
Van Cleef & Arpels
Founded in 1906 from the union of Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels, the House of Van Cleef & Arpels quickly became a destination for the rich and famous due to its unique designs inspired by nature and exquisite gemstones.
The 1960s marked a significant era, highlighted by their commission to create pieces for the coronation of the Emperor and Empress of Iran in 1967. At Pragnell, we proudly offer a selection of Van Cleef & Arpels pieces from 1906 to 1999, when the House was owned by the Arpels family, and creating its most iconic pieces.
Boucheron
Founded in 1858, the House of Boucheron was the first to establish a salon in Place Vendôme, Paris. It became popular with the Imperial Russian Romanov family and was renowned for its statement necklaces, tiaras, and delicate pieces featuring pearls and diamonds. Notably, the Duchess of Cornwall now wears the "honeycomb" tiara from the 1920s, originally presented to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1942.
Boucheron's iconic designs from the Art Deco and Retro periods are especially sought after today, with several Retro pieces crafted in warm yellow gold featuring in the Pragnell collection.
Boivin
René Boivin, an engraver and designer, founded his eponymous jewellery firm in Paris during the 1890s. This era was highly significant for jewellery design, and the Boivin name quickly became synonymous with high-quality, unconventional pieces that featured sculptural naturalism.
After Boivin died in 1917, the firm continued to produce sought-after pieces that are still widely collected and worn today. Pragnell is proud to offer a carefully curated selection of Boivin jewellery.
Sterlé
Pierre Sterlé (1905-1978) established his business in 1930s Paris, showcasing his imaginative creations to socialites and royalty. He is renowned as the "couturier of jewellery," with pieces that exhibit a distinctive form and fluidity reminiscent of the most exquisite haute couture gowns.
Sterlé's career spanned some of the most exciting periods in jewellery design and production during the 20th century, leading to a surge in interest in his remarkable work over the past decade. The Pragnell family has travelled the world to curate a unique collection of Sterlé pieces.
Hermès
Founded in 1837 as a specialist in leather goods, Hermès quickly gained a reputation for exceptional quality and craftsmanship. The company began producing jewellery in the mid-1950s, which became highly collectable and sought after.
Today, Hermès continues to create bold pieces inspired by the clean lines and striking forms of bridle metalwork. Their collection includes stunning gold, silver, and diamond-set jewellery. Vintage silver and bold gold statement necklaces and bracelets from the Retro period featuring the iconic Hermès signature can be found at Pragnell.
Charles Holl
Founded in 1917, the workshops of French jeweller Charles Holl gained a reputation for crafting intricate pieces that showcased exceptional stone-setting skills, combining sparkling diamonds with captivating coloured gemstones. This acclaim coincided with the Art Deco period, leading Charles Holl to create exclusive pieces for renowned brands such as Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels.
Pieces from the Holl workshops are known for their distinctive freshness and vitality, making them highly sought after by collectors worldwide. Pragnell has carefully curated a distinctive selection of individual Charles Holl pieces.
Lalaounis
Founded in Greece in 1969 by Ilias Lalaounis, his style is influenced by Hellenistic and Greco-Roman designs' rich and ancient history. Bold forms crafted from richly polished yellow gold dominate his collections, evoking images of ancient figures adorned with collars, bracelets, and rings that shimmer in the intense Athenian sunlight.
Lalaounis gained global recognition when international style icon Jacqueline Kennedy frequently wore his pieces following her marriage to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis in 1968. Showcasing classical elegance, Lalaounis pieces continue to be enjoyed today, with Pragnell offering a rich selection.
Black, Starr & Frost
Founded in 1810, Black, Starr & Frost is America’s oldest jewellery company. It has handled many of the world’s rarest gemstones throughout its history, including two diamonds weighing 127 and 76 carats, respectively.
The name is still widely recognized today, mainly due to its association with magnificent gemstones in the song “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” famously performed by Marilyn Monroe in the film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” Art Deco creations that feature the Black, Starr & Frost signature are particularly sought after and can be found at Pragnell.
Oscar Heyman
Founded in New York in 1912, the Oscar Heyman firm specialises in creating pieces made of platinum and coloured gemstones. Their workshop is known for its refined craftsmanship, and many of their creations have been produced for prestigious names like Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier.
Still operating today, the quality of Oscar Heyman jewels from the 20th century makes them widely sought after by collectors. Pragnell offers a carefully curated selection of pieces from this esteemed establishment.
Giuliano
Carlo Giuliano (1831-1895) was an Italian jeweller who moved to London in 1860. The Victorians were deeply fascinated with the past, and Giuliano, who specialised in ancient and Renaissance styles, became a popular figure in 'high society. Known as an "artist jeweller," his pieces are celebrated for their exquisite craftsmanship, intricate enamel work, and stunning combinations of gemstones.
After Giuliano died in 1895, the firm continued to operate under the management of his sons, Carlo and Arthur, until it closed in 1914. Giuliano's creations are true exemplars of the era, with a small selection displayed at Pragnell.
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Gaston Lafitte
Gaston Eugene-Omar Lafitte established his jewellery business in Paris in the late 19th century, specialising in intricate goldwork and complex enamel designs. Embracing the organic forms and graceful curves characteristic of Art Nouveau, pieces bearing the Lafitte signature exhibit exceptional attention to detail.
A common theme in his work is flight, particularly evident in his brooches, which feature winged female figures that appear to glide, enhanced by stained glass-like plique-à-jour enamel wings. Powerful eagles with wide wings, showcasing richly detailed polished gold feathers, are also beautifully depicted. At Pragnell, our collection offers a selection of Lafitte's exquisite pieces.
All our antique and vintage jewellery are hand-selected, one-of-a-kind pieces made during their peak, representing the closest possible achievement to perfection at that time. When curating our antique offering, Pragnell seeks pieces that demonstrate exceptionally high standards of craftsmanship and epitomise a specific era or designer at the height of their career. Authentic, well-crafted jewellery requires no alterations and will always remain timeless.
Antique CLP Page
