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Coro Sterling Vermeil Bluebirds on Grapevine Duette & Earrings Set NWS 9-1455
~ This is the highly collectible Coro Duette Set, named "Bill & Coo". A Duette is usually made of two fur clips that are joined together by a mechanism in the back (4th & 5th photos above). Thus, the owner has a single brooch, or two separate clips which can be worn in many different ways (see link below for suggestions). Ingenious! ~ This famous set consists of 2 adorable bluebirds perched upon 2 flowering grapevines. The beautiful birds have been hand painted with enamel colors of pale blue, deep blue, black, white, pale yellow and red. The branches are pale green and deep kelly green. Imagine the amount of labor involved in creating just this one Duette. If you look closely, you can actually see each stroke of the brush. ~ In addition, all of the crystals have been faceted and set by hand. The wing bars and throats of the birds are decorated with pavé-set, faux diamonds. And though my photos don't show them very well, please note that the birds are totally 3-dimensional, so that each bird has 2 wings. The back wings are depicted with the same enamel and rhinestone details. ~ The branch upon which they sit is really a grape vine, and you can see that it has been hand painted with 2 shades of green. The grape clusters are depicted with bundles of faceted, clear crystals. Just spectacular. ~ Each bird has a faceted, faux ruby for an eye. The bird on the left, which I think is the male, has his a closed beak, while the female's is open with a sweet song ("cooing"). ~ The bird clips individually measure 1.75" high and 1.35" wide each. When attached to the Duette mechanism, the brooch measures 1.75" high and 2.75" wide. ~ Each bird also has a large, blue faceted rhinestone body. ~ The Duette is marked "STERLING" on the back of one clip and "STERLING CORO-CRAFT" on the back of the other clip. The back of the Duette mechanism is marked "STERLING MADE IN CANADA" and "Coro Duette" (the last word is partly effaced). ~ The earrings measure 1.25" high and 1.25" wide. They are also of sterling vermeil and are enameled with the same delicate lovely colors. Each earrings also has a large, faceted faux sapphire in the body, with clear rhinestone accents (a red rhinestone eye in one and clear in the other). Both earrings are marked "CORO" and "STERLING" on the reverse. Both birds have their beaks open with song. It is hard enough to find a Duette today that is in good condition, with all the pieces still together. But it is next to impossible to find the matching earrings as well. That makes this set extremely rare.
~ During World War II, costume jewelry designers were obliged to use sterling silver for their jewelry, as all other metals had been restricted for the war effort. This adorable Bluebird Set has been made of solid sterling silver and plated with a soft gold vermeil. c. 1945, in excellent vintage condition, with very little wear to the vermeil, and spots of wear to the enamel and foiling on the backs of the stones, normal for its 60 years of age. This set is as precious as can be! Price = $685.00 Safe Shopping Guarantee b, a-c, sets 3, clips Who was Coro? |
