Created by de Grisogono circa 2000, this extraordinary pair of diamond-set handcuff bracelets captures the irreverent spirit and theatrical imagination that defined the Geneva-based jewelry house at the turn of the millennium.
Fashioned in 18K gold, the two substantial cuffs reproduce the unmistakable silhouette of traditional handcuffs, complete with rounded openings, broad locking plates, and an articulated connecting chain. Yet every utilitarian surface has been transformed through an extraordinary concentration of diamonds.
One cuff is entirely pavé-set with brilliant-cut white diamonds, creating a continuous field of light across its curved surfaces. Its companion is similarly set with diamonds of gray-brown tint, introducing a darker, more subdued brilliance. The contrast between the two lends the composition an unexpected visual tension, while scattered larger diamonds punctuate the pavé with distinct points of light.
The connecting chain, itself encrusted with diamonds, preserves the sculptural character of the original object. A pair of matching diamond-set keys accompanies the bracelets, completing the design’s playful dialogue between confinement and liberation.
Founded in Geneva in 1993 by Fawaz Gruosi, de Grisogono became known for challenging the conventions of traditional high jewelry. The house embraced unusual gemstone combinations, dramatic proportions, and provocative forms, frequently transforming familiar objects into extravagant jeweled statements.
These handcuff bracelets belong to that distinctive creative vocabulary. Their considerable scale, contrasting diamond colors, and meticulously articulated construction demonstrate the house’s ability to reconcile technical craftsmanship with an unmistakable sense of humor.
With a combined weight of approximately 277 grams, the bracelets possess an imposing physical presence, their substantial gold construction providing a sculptural foundation for the intricate diamond setting.
Neither conventional bracelets nor merely decorative objects, they occupy the space between high jewelry and contemporary sculpture.
Two cuffs, one chain, and a particularly extravagant interpretation of attachment.
