Box Sunbeams in lapis lazuli with gold and moonstone trim, Tony Duquette, 1995.
Tony Duquette, a native of Los Angeles, was a renowned artist and designer. Regarded as an icon of American design, Duquette was awarded fellowships at the prestigious Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles and at the Yale Theater School while still a student. Even before the war, he designed costumes and sets for many productions of Metro Goldwyn Mayer and became one of the leading designers in Los Angeles.
During World War II, he served in the army for four years and was honorably discharged. In 1949, Duquette married the beautiful and talented artist Elizabeth Johnston at the wedding ceremony, Mary Pickford was present as a bridesmaid, and Buddy Rogers was Tony’s best man. The ensuing reception was attended by Hollywood celebrities, including Greta Garbo, Fred Astaire, Vincente Minnelli, Marion Davis.
Blue topaz, kunzite, moonstone, colored pearl necklace, Tony Duquette, circa 1990.
History of success
All further biography of Tony Duquette reads like a continuous series of successes and triumphs: exhibitions (including in the Louvre), orders for interior design for millionaires and titled persons, orders for the design of famous hotels, Hollywood and Broadway productions, travel around the world and friendship with celebrities .
In 1979, the Duquettes opened the non-profit Anthony and Elizabeth Duquette Living Art Foundation, which sponsored exhibitions and lectures on the decorative arts in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Texas in conjunction with museums and other foundations.
Their works, including monumental metal sculptures adorned with precious stones, textile mosaic tapestries, along with their collections and other original works of art, they placed in a building called the “Duquette Pavilion”. Unfortunately, the entire collection was completely destroyed by fire in 1989.
Tony Duquette (1914–1999)
After the fire
After the San Francisco fire, the Dukets went to great lengths to create a modern Shangri-la on their California ranch. But this work was also destroyed by fire in 1993. For his 80th birthday, Tony created a sculpture titled “Phoenix Rising from Its Flame” as a symbol of his own life, which was presented at UCLA at the Armand Hammer Art and Cultural Center.
After the death of Tony Duquette, his design business is continued by his business partner, Hutton Wilkinson, with whom they have collaborated for 30 years. Tony Duquette-inspired jewelry and home decor collections are available at select Saks Fifth Avenue stores in New York and Palm Beach.
Fine jewelry by Tony Duquette
Coral, pearl, opal and diamond wreath Memento Mori necklace in bicolor gold.Pair of Japanese-style interior figures in illuminated dome stands, 43 cm high, circa 1950Sculpture Phoenix rising from its flame, exhibited at the Armand Hammer Museum, height 1.5 m, 1994Golden leaf and flower garland necklace set with citrines, smoky quartz, tourmalines, mabe pearls, black enamel, 1950Necklace with moonstone and tourmaline.Gold amethyst and kunzite cross pendant necklace.Gold graduated tourmaline and citrine necklace.Necklace and ring with frosted glass and amethyst.Gold necklace and clips from disks and hearts of green quartzite, with pearls and turquoise cabochons.Necklace assembled from plates of raw amethyst, decorated with turquoise cabochons.Coral, pearl, opal and diamond wreath Memento Mori necklace in bicolor gold.Gold star brooch with amethyst, green quartz and diamonds.Gold necklace with green quartz in various cuts.Talisman of Power necklace, turquoise, quartz, mother-of-pearl, malachite and glass beads, circa 1990.Gold star brooch with pink amethyst and diamonds, 10×10 cm.Gold brooch with carved emerald, 12.7×10.7 cm, Tony Duquette.Talisman of Power necklace, amethyst, mother-of-pearl, Tony Duquette, circa 1990.Glass, ceramic, fluorite, mother-of-pearl necklace, Tony Duquette, circa 1990.Chrysocolla and cinnabar Mystery of Creation necklace, Tony Duquette, circa 1990.Chrysocolla, malachite, peridot necklace, Tony Duquette, circa 1990.Blue agate, mother-of-pearl, turquoise, lapis lazuli, glass beads, silver, Tony Duquette necklace, circa 1990.Chrysocolla, malachite, cinnabar necklace, circa 1990.Coral, bone, ammonite and silver necklace, circa 1990.Ethiopian cross necklace in agate, amethyst, serpentine, red jasper, tiger’s eye and cinnabar, circa 1990.Agate, quartz, sugilite, ammonite, enamel necklace, Tony Duquette, circa 1990.Agate and amber necklace with detachable pendant, 1990.Amber and bone necklace, 1990.Agate, tiger eye, zircon necklace, 1990.Amethyst, pearl, zircon Symbol of Rebirth necklace, circa 1990.Amethyst, rose quartz, zircon necklace, circa 1990.The Duquette designed brooch is made from emeralds amethysts and fluorite.His business partner Hutton Wilkinson still makes replicas of the 1950s originals.Multi Color Sapphire Bracelet.Aquamarine Citrine Peridot Scapolite Heirloom Gold Necklace.Crowned Monkey Brooch or Pendant.Awesome Kunzite Amethyst Heirloom Quality Gold Brooch Pin.Emerald Ruby and Diamond Gold Ring.Stunning Aquamarine Blue Zircon and Diamond Gold Brooch Pin.Peridot Citrine Amethyst and Zircon Gold Necklace.
