B.W. COOK -- The Crowd

The Orange County Museum of Art opened its doors recently after-hours

to host an evening reception for the West Coast exhibition of Carrera y

Carrera’s miniature jewel encrusted sculptures fashioned out of precious

metals including gold and platinum.

The collection, which has been an ongoing commission of the Spanish

jewelers for the past 50 years, includes extremely rare figures created

by selected European artisans. Built on themes of history, the collection

has been expanded in much the same way as great artistic patrons of

nations and times past have passionately pursued their dreams of leaving

an artistic legacy.

Each piece in the collection is valued at nearly $1 million. Some of

the more elaborate creations featuring gem-quality jewels are valued at

closer to $1.5 million.

Begun in 1956, the collection -- which includes a uniquely shaped

baroque pearl in the overall design -- has seldom left Spain.

“A rare public display at the Kremlin Museum in Moscow resulted in the

donation of one piece from the private collection to the museum’s

permanent collection,” said event spokeswoman Amanda Weig. “It will be

displayed alongside treasures by Faberge.”

That the sculpture at the Museums of the Moscow Kremlin is in the

company of the jeweled eggs and boxes of Karl Faberge -- considered

priceless as well as historically significant for their representation of

the final times, taste and artistry of the Russian monarchy and ruling

class -- makes representatives of Carrera y Carrera very proud.

“It is a great honor to have a piece from our collection in this

company,” said Roberto Cristobal, president of Carrera y Carrera USA.

Cristobal had flown in from his New York headquarters for the event

and was joined by Maria Eugenia Giron, chief executive of Carrera y

Carrera, based in Madrid, Spain. Both Cristobal and Giron charmed the

local Newport crowd with their eloquent words connecting both culture and

art from two distinct worlds.

Giron presented the museum with a $5,000 donation in support of local

projects.

The party was graced by the classical Spanish guitar of Daniel Garcia.

His strings filled the fall night with mood melody as guests enjoyed the

overflowing cocktail buffet created and served by Mark’s of Laguna.

“I just love to come to a party catered by Mark’s,” Peggy Goldwater

Clay said. “They do a first-class job.”

A patroness of many Orange Coast events, Clay surely knows her

nibbles.

Models attired in the latest ball gowns from fashion house Escada

paraded through the party, showing off not only the gowns but remarkable

jewelry from Carrera y Carrera. Many guests commented that the jewelry

was more art than simply a display of gems.

This was the real music to the ears of Giron. At the helm of a company

in business since 1885, Giron commented, “We have established a

reputation by combining artistic craftsmanship with unique sculptural

technique. We believe we stand apart in the art of jewelry design.”

The overflow crowd sipped Spanish wine and nibbled on Mark’s tapas

(hors d’oeuvres) including stuffed crab mushrooms filled with ham and

cheese known as champinones rellenos. And then there were the seasoned

strips of beef tenderloin called carne Malaga.

Suki and Randy McCardle of Newport Beach were seen in the crowd as was

Ann Stern, Shari and Harry Esayian, Hedda Morosi, Meredith Foreman,

Richard Hallidosy, Bryan and Judy Kleckner, Pat Lang, Darleen Manclark,

Mike and Laurie Mendenhall, Marsha Orlin, Essie Pinsker, Jerry Richards,

Catherine Thyen and Dawn Washer.

A contingent of the Beverly Hills crowd also joined the fun including

Diana Ellis, George and Nana Gregory, Martin and Jodi Lebowitz, Bashar

Sawaf and Rita and Jose Sigal.

The reception was co-sponsored by Departures Magazine and Black Starr

and Frost, South Coast Plaza.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.