You'd be surprised how rare it is to find a stunning piece from the collection of a legendary jewellery collector. It's a private matter and not usually discussed with journalists. But apart from Elizabeth Taylor, who was often fascinated by her special pieces and wrote her unique memoir on the subject. There really isn't much to speak of women who were famous for their jewelry in the twentieth century.
Maria Callas, praised for her seamless extension of the Bel Canto soprano on stage. She was even a source of fascination for her off-stage love affair with shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. She had an extensive jewelry collection. To the best of my knowledge, she never spoke about it publicly, or perhaps she was never asked.
Once, however, he used jewellery to describe Onassis. He told author Peter Evans in an interview for his book The Life and Times of Aristotle Onassis. “Ari's overall understanding of women comes from a Van Cleef & Arpels catalogue.”.
It's such a clever slap. Clearly, it calls the man simplistic, but it also manages to aptly express the femininity of the French jeweller's collection. Also the fact that Onassis must indeed have seriously studied the Van Cleef & Arpels catalogues. He bought Callas so much jewelry and went on to buy his wife Jackie Kennedy even more.
The only jewelry information in Tom Volf's book “Maria by Callas” from Assouline identifies some of her jewelry designers. But there are many never-before-seen photos of the amazing singer wearing the collection.
Callas received all sorts of treasures from the “Golden Greek”. Perhaps even more from her first husband Giovanni Batista Menegini, an Italian industrialist.
Several pieces she wears in the book were among the 11 pieces of jewellery sold by Sotheby's in Geneva in 2004. They include two with her favorite combination of ruby gemstones and diamonds. There is the Van Cleef & Arpels leaf clip she wore on her shoulder and the unsigned ribbon choker.
The 230 photographs in the book Maria by Callas show how the formal mid-century jewellery was designed for her stunning updos and fabulous dresses. The intimate images reveal that Callas was a Zelig of sorts. They give a broader perspective on well-known events that show she was there. Grace Kelly was her friend and so was Elizabeth Taylor.
She may have been overshadowed by Marilyn Monroe at President Kennedy's 45th birthday party in 1962. But she was there to sing two arias. Among the most fascinating photos is one of Callas on her last tour in 1973. She was surrounded by enthusiastic fans asking for autographs and besieging her while wearing her Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry.
The book's author, director Tom Volf, is planning a documentary to accompany the publication. So there will be many more opportunities to see the brilliance of the opera star in action.
Source: theadventurine.com
