A SEMI-PRECIOUS BEAD NECKLACE WITH A PAIR OF EARCLIPS... Lot 14

A SEMI-PRECIOUS BEAD NECKLACE WITH A PAIR OF EARCLIPS BY KAI-YIN LO, the necklace composed of green agate beads, interspersed by amethyst and rock crystal beads between some yellow metal rondelles, the clasp embellished with a cabochon moonstone and a cabochon green agate, mounted on silver vermeil, signed Kylo, length 44.3cm; together with a pair of earclips set with a central smoky quartz within a carnelian agate frame, mounted on silver vermeil, signed Kai-Yin Lo, length 2.5cm, with maker's box Kai-Yin Lo is recognised as a pioneer in jewellery design and, in 2007, she was awarded 'World's Leading Chinese Designer' by the Hong Kong Design Centre. A cultural historian, Lo seeks to bring the past into her pieces, taking motifs from her Chinese heritage and incorporating them into contemporary designs. One such element is her characteristic 'knot' pattern which references the Chinese symbol for immortality, sustainability and renewal. Lo's jewellery was thrown onto the world stage in the 1980s when she wandered into Cartier in New York and subsequently sold some of her pieces to the manager. From there, she was picked up by outlets such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Harrods, London and Mitsukoshi, Japan. Bergdorf Goodman even provided a stand-alone space for her products. Operating at a time when consumers either purchased expensive jewellery made from rare and precious materials or costume pieces, Lo expertly bridged this gap with her affordable collections. Using semi-precious stones, Lo's pieces focussed on balance and harmony through shape and colour, carefully fusing Eastern design with Western tastes.