Gift Guide #12: M. Khordipour signed sealed and delivered for the 12 Days of Gifts for The Holidays Series
This season we are lucky enough to have enlisted 12 expert modern designer retailers, antique dealers and shops for our holiday gift guide. For each installment, we have asked for suggestions from their brick and mortar or online stores. We have also asked what gift they would choose for themselves this holiday season
When I first entered the world of antique and estate jewelry, M. Khordipour was an industry secret –known mainly to those who collected, dealt and traded in fine period, retro and vintage jewelry. I met Michael Khordipour, owner and president and Afshin Shaddaie, sales director by way of introduction and I continued to find some of my favorite Victorian through Art Deco pieces over the 20 years I’ve been shopping there. I also gained a wealth of knowledge and an education in signed pieces—Michael and Afshin were also never too busy to teach me to identify how to tell authentic from reproductions and the subtle differences in the changing of time periods.
Over the past 10 years, M. Khordipour moved from where it all began on 47th Street to an Art Deco office building close to The Diamond District, where they seee customers in house by appointment. However, the company has evolved to include a huge retail following for engagement and wedding rings (Estate Diamond Jewelery) and an expansion into more and more important signed pieces, the likes of which you would find at the major auction houses or Madison Avenue shops. Both estatediamondjewelery.com and mkhordipour.com have a growing presence as premier online destinations.
For our 12th Day of Gifts for the Holidays, Afshin Shaddaie has chosen all signed jewels from various prestigious and renowned houses that range from the Victorian through vintage.
“I highly recommend these leaf shape diamond Van Cleef & Arpels earrings that are crafted to create an organic yet elegant wintery ‘ice’ façade. Van Cleef & Arpels conceived some of the most iconic and coveted pieces of the 20th century and it is always a privilege to come across true craftsmanship and impeccable attention to detail and pass these type of pieces along to our customers. These platinum set earrings hold a mix of cut diamonds, each unique stone acting as a part to complement the whole. They are circa 1970.”
“Many antique enthusiasts associate ‘Tutti Frutti’ with only Cartier. While Cartier might have initiated the idea to design pieces inspired by Mughal jewelry during the later part of the Art Deco Movement, jewelry houses on this side of the Atlantic were keeping pace—such as the well-known American Marcus & Co. In business since 1892, the house was known for it’s Art Deco designs and this bracelet is an exceptional example. Leaves adorned with old European cut diamonds grasp the carved gemstones in this design. It is a collector’s item that any woman who has an interest in rare signed pieces, colored gemstones and a piece that will garner compliments will be thrilled to receive as a gift.”
“For the woman who prefers earlier pieces and the buttery soft richness of yellow gold, our Archaeological revival demi-parure by French jeweler Eugene Fontenay is a gift that is a true treasure and work of art. Around the collar of the necklace is intricate wirework, while the fringe is detailed with the most delicate of granulation. The necklace and earrings can be worn as a set or can of course be worn separately—the earrings a versatile choice for everyday. There are Fontenay maker marks and French hallmarks, circa 1860.”
What is it that’s on Afshin’s wish list this holiday season?
“A beautiful pair of vintage Cartier cufflinks featuring a twisted gold design and sapphire cabochons.” These are the type of cufflinks I could wear with all my suits: grey, black and navy in all textures and weights.” I love that they are chunky looking and although vintage from the 1960s have never and will never go out of style”
SIMILIAR STORIES FROM OUR GIFT GUIDE:
Gift Guide #11: Alice Kwartler on simply charming finds for our 12 Days of Holiday Gifts Series
Gift Guide #10: The Three Graces’ put a gemstone ring on it for our 12 Days of Holiday Gifts Series
Gift Guide #9: Metier San Francisco’s something old and something new for our 12 Days of Gifts For The Holidays Series
Gift Guide #8: Quadrum Gallery-modern artist expression for our 12 days of gifts for the holidays series
Greenwich St. Jewelers picks for Holidays Gifts
Macklowe Gallery’s picks for Holiday Gifts
Sofia Kaman’s picks for Holiday Gifts
Omar Vaja’s of Bentley & Skinner picks for Holiday Gifts
Joanne Teichman’s of Ylang 23 picks for Holiday Gifts
Elizabeth Doyle’s of Doyle & Doyle picks for Holiday Gifts
How to Receive the Jewels You Want for The Holidays
