ϒA late 1940s coral, emerald and diamond brooch/pendant designed by Afro Basaldella for Masenza, circa 1949, the figures of the reclining Venus and winged Cupid with bow and arrow, with rubover set eight cut diamond eyes, on a branch of coral (corallium rubrum), with carved emerald leaves, with possible partial rubbed signature MA, 10cm long; together with a 1950s artist ring, the shoulders in the form of two stylised acrobats supporting the now void setting, finger size O, 8.6g This brooch with its original collar necklace (now missing) was first exhibited by Masenza in his Milan exhibition 'Gioilelli Di Masenza' in December 1949, and was also published in an article in Moda magazine on 16 December 1949. Masenza promoted Italian artist jewellers and jewellery sculptors, including Edgarado Mannucci, Franco Cannilla, and Mirko and Afro Basadella amongst others from the late 1940s right through to the early 1980s from his jewellery shop in the Via Del Corso, in the heart of Rome. Masenza is considered to be one of the founding fathers of the artist jeweller movement in mid to late 20th century Italian jewellery design. Literature: 'L'Arte Del Gioiello E Il Gioiell D'Artista Dal'900 Ad Oggi', Giunti Press, Florence, 2001, pp 303 - 337 'Masenza, Fumanti, Montebello: Interpreti Del Gioiello D'Autore In Italia'.ϒIndicates that this lot may be subject to CITES regulations when exported. Please see ourTerms & Conditionsfor more information.