Rare collection of Christian Dior Couture jewellery offered at auction
Auction on May 21, 2025
The auction house Tajan is pleased to present the Couture Christian Dior jewellery collection of Jean-Pierre Cornille, a French collector for 25 years and a regular lender to the Musée Christian Dior in Granville, France. Comprising around 300 pieces, this collection spans the golden years of Christian Dior Couture jewellery from the 1950s-1960s to the more contemporary creations of John Galliano (2000s) and also features works by American jewelers Mitchel Maer (1902-1981) and Sam Kramer (1913-1964), as well as pieces from the German House of Henkel & Grosse, a famous supplier to Christian Dior.
Christian Dior by Sam Kramer
Rhodium-plated metal brooch with white baguette-cut rhinestones holding emerald green pearls
Period: 1948-1960
Christian Dior by Henkel & Grosse
Important Indian-inspired tassel brooch in rhodium-plated metal and tombac, set with garnet-colored glass stones
1966
Among the various pieces, discover a musical brooch created by Mitchel Maer (1902-1981) in the early 1950s, made of gilded, chased metal, enhanced with small faux pearls and featuring an enamel floral design. Its shape and decoration of Putti evoke Renaissance iconography, but its function is distinctly modern, as the brooch contains a music box mechanism that plays a romantic tune… A similar brooch is part of the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Christian Dior by Mitchel Maer
Musical medallion brooch produced in the early 1950s.
Gilded chased metal, enhanced with small faux pearls and featuring an enamel floral design.
Swiss-made Reuge Saint Croix music box mechanism.
6.5 x 4.5 cm.
Christian Dior
Three “Lily of the Valley” brooches
Center: An important and elegant “Lily of the Valley” brooch in gilded metal, decorated with princess-cut rhinestones and faux pearls.
Signed. 11.5 x 6 cm.
Left: Small “Lily of the Valley” brooch with three pearls. 8 x 4 cm.
Right: Small “Lily of the Valley” brooch with five pearls. 8 x 2 cm.
Christian Dior by Roger Jean Pierre
Brooch produced by Sam Kramer
“Unicorn Head” brooch
Mid-1950s. 6 x 4.5 cm
Similar to the floral brooches (lilies of the valley, etc.), this model is highly sought after by collectors.
A similar brooch is part of the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Christian Dior par Sam Kramer
Broche trembleuse “Paon”
Métal plaqué rhodium et strass blanc
Epoque 1950-1957. Signé. 7 x 4,5 cm
Christian Dior by Sam Kramer
Necklace, earrings, and trembler brooch
Rhodium-plated metal, white round-cut rhinestones
Period: 1950-1960
Christian Dior by Henkel & Grosse
A set consisting of a necklace, earrings, and brooch in rhodium-plated metal, set with blue and white rhinestones from 1959, manufactured by the jeweler Henkel & Grosse.
Exhibited at the Musée Christian Dior in Granville, Winter 2014 and Winter 2016-2017 exhibitions.
Christian Dior
Gilded necklace with flat mesh and tassel-style pendant
Period: 1966. Length: 48 cm.
Christian Dior
Rocaille set
Long tassel-style necklace and matching earrings in gilded metal and diamond rhinestones
1968
Left: Christian Dior by Sam Kramer
Necklace in rhodium-plated metal, white round-cut and navette rhinestones.
Period: 1950-1960. Signed.
Center: Christian Dior by Sam Kramer
Necklace in rhodium-plated metal, white round-cut and oval rhinestones.
Period: 1950-1960. Signed.
Exhibited at the Musée Christian Dior in Granville, Winter 2015-2016.
Right: Christian Dior by Sam Kramer
Necklace in rhodium-plated metal, white round-cut and emerald rhinestones.
Period: 1950-1960. Signed.
Exhibited at the Musée Christian Dior in Granville, 2015-2016 and Summer 2017 exhibition.
Christian Dior by Henkel & Grosse, 1997
Important floral motif necklace in gilded metal
and light pink and pale amethyst rhinestones. Signed.
INFORMATION
Jean-Pierre Cornille Collection
Part I – May 21, 2025
Part II – May 26 – June 5, 2025
CONTACTS
Louise de Causans – Fashion, Leather goods & Luxury accessories Director
+33 1 53 30 30 32 – [email protected]
Ariane de Miramon – Press, Communication & Marketing Director
+33 1 53 30 30 68 – [email protected]