Vintage Christian Dior jewellery sparkles

Vintage Christian Dior jewellery designed by Mitchel Maer were in demand in Fellows’ recent specialist Handbags & Accessories sale in Birmingham, with three forgotten family heirlooms fetching sky-high prices. The items, long unworn and tucked away after a Paris shopping trip by the seller’s mother, far exceeded their modest estimates. 

Mitchel Maer, the American-born silversmith and costume jewellery designer, collaborated briefly with Christian Dior in the mid-1950s. His work, prized for its technical flair and whimsical creativity, can be found in museums worldwide including the V&A. The trio of pieces offered showcased his signature mix of vintage glamour and ingenuity, some even featuring musical and moving parts. 

A charming musical brooch sparked a bidding frenzy, with 30 bids from six collectors. Estimated at £200–£300, it soared to an impressive total of £2,730.

Similarly, with 42 bids, the second brooch mirrored the success of the first, realising a total of £2,665 from an identical estimate. 

Originally estimated at just £50–£80, an elegant set received 41 bids and ultimately sold for a total of £1,287. Keeping the items as one lot proved to be a savvy decision for both buyer and seller. 

Maer’s brief but brilliant Dior collaboration remains a golden chapter in mid-century costume jewellery. These rediscovered heirlooms, with their enduring charm, highlight why his pieces continue to captivate collectors and connoisseurs at auction. 

“These pieces are a dream for lovers of vintage fashion and couture history. Maer’s work with Dior was short-lived but spectacular, each piece tells a story of glamour and imagination,” said Daniel Furness, Handbags & Accessories Department Manager at Fellows. “We knew they were special, but the bidding exceeded all our expectations. It’s proof that timeless design never goes out of style.”