You might recognize Nigel O’Reilly’s work for its sheer ingenuity—otherworldly forms (even though they were created in the rural west of Ireland) paired with electrifying color combinations. Or you may have spotted it on members of Hollywood’s elite, including Saoirse Ronan and Julianne Moore.
So what better place to showcase some of these opulent pieces than one that truly feels like its own world, chock-full of A-listers? Following this line of thinking, Sotheby’s Los Angeles (350 North Camden Drive in Beverly Hills) is hosting an exhibit and sale November 30–December 16 dedicated to the Irish designer and his high jewelry. “We have offered Nigel’s pieces at auction with great results, and we are thrilled to be collaborating once again with a dedicated selling exhibition of his new work, some of which has been created exclusively for our LA gallery,” Frank Everett, sales director of Sotheby’s luxury division, tells JCK. “Nigel’s designs use color beautifully and have a certain edge that perfectly suits the Los Angeles clientele.” And exclusively for JCK, O’Reilly talks us through a few of the highlights below.
“As an apprentice, I had the pleasure of witnessing this morganite being cut by Erwin Springbrunn, the late master lapidary and goldsmith. His focus was to create beauty. He could have made three easily salable stones from rough of this size, but Erwin’s only concern was to create the most beautiful piece possible. I remember inquiring about the price, and he looked at me over his half-moon glasses and said, ‘Not yet, Nigel, but in time.’ Years later, I had the opportunity to take this stone to the next level by creating this pendant. I wanted to develop a weaving gold structure around the morganite that does not take away from its inherent beauty but enhances its legacy even further.”
“The Mobius loop, or the infinity symbol, has long held my interest as a jewelry motif. To me, it references Celtic knot work—the patterns of illuminated ancient manuscripts. When I designed this sapphire cuff, I wanted it to wrap around the wearer’s wrist, with swirls of deep blue sapphire against rose gold, hinting at those ancient illuminated pages. The cuff has a beautiful functional hinge, so it opens and closes over the wrist.”
“As darkness is usually followed by brightness, Estella was the name of the character of Cruella de Vil, before she became Cruella. This ring is a sister ring to the Deville and polar opposite in tones of gemstones and metals. The design is a nod to my love for couture fashion houses, most notably the striking collections of Alexander McQueen. The bold shape of the Estella harnesses that latent energy and detail, as the central pearl completely rotates around its own axis at the push of the wearer’s finger. The ring was kinetically interesting to design and create in studio.”
“Nature’s deconstruction has inspired this minutely detailed signature ring. Based on my observance of seeds and their organic decadence, this central golden pearl is ensconced in a curving and exposed golden shell. The body of the pearl is held in a golden cup reticulated in hundreds of rubies, deep reds reflecting against warm rose gold.”
“Deep pink sapphires and rubies come together in variegated petals that hold a central diamond. This rose has detailed green leaves that delicately climb the knuckle of the wearer’s hand and gleam like stained glass when held to the light.”
Photos courtesy of Nigel O’Reilly
Follow me on Instagram: @anniedwatson
Follow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
