Royal radiance from Countess Cissy Zoltowska (CIS)

This substantial antique brooch originates from the French couturier Countess Cissy Zoltowska, known by the monogram CIS. It features a distinctive silhouette adorned with large, vivid rhinestones in shades of citrine, olive, fuchsia, and deep violet. The piece boasts a three-dimensional form, where smaller stones are elevated on stamens to create volume, complemented by a subtle iridescent finish and deep color play within the gems, making it a regal accessory. This is a scarce collectible piece from France, dating to the 1960s.

Jewelry by Countess Cissy Zoltowska (CIS) represents high-fashion designer pieces, crafted in limited runs, frequently for exclusive collections. Her work emerged during the 1950s and 1960s. Raised in a fifteenth-century Austrian castle, the designer relocated to Switzerland during the Second World War, where she initially crafted ceramic accessories. She settled in Paris in 1951, designing for an elite clientele that included royalty. These items are highly sought after by collectors, though very few bear signatures.