Maria Felix’s jewelryrepresent a part of the culture of Mexico, a country that saw the birth of this woman of exuberant and enigmatic beauty, on April 8, 1914 in the city of Alamos, and who left this terrestrial plane on April 8, 2002, in the Mexico City, just on her 88th birthday. The real name of this sensual actress is María de los Ángeles Félix Güereña, and she became one of the most beautiful and striking figures in Hispanic cinema, and one of the women most important of the so-called Golden Age of Mexican cinema.
For these reasons, it is important to know details of her life, before talking about María Félix’s jewels. The «Doña» as she was known, was a nickname that she earned for having starred in the 1943 film «Doña Bárbara», based on the work of the Venezuelan writer, Rómulo Gallegos; this being one of the most successful among the 47 films made in countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Italy and France.
It should be noted that this beautiful woman was not only an actress, but also a model for many renowned painters; such as José Clemente Orozco; who painted her when she was a teenager; and she later met Diego Rivera, when he was recording the movie «Río Escondido»; she getting to establish a good friendship with him and his wife, Frida Kahlo. From there reference is made to the jewels of María Félix, as distinctive elements of this actress and model.
This is how this famous painter managed to get her to pose for him, despite the fact that the Doña recognized that she did not like her works. In addition, she was a model for renowned painters such as Remedios Varo, Leonor Fini and Leonora Carrington; being the last one he posed for, the Russian-French painter Antoine Tzapoff, his last partner.
Her taste for fashion and jewelry, her great elegance, sensuality and exuberant beauty, led her to become a true fashion icon throughout the world; so that was the image of YSL, the Balenciaga, Christian Dior and Cartier; who was inspired by the style and attitude of the Doña, to design fabulous jewelry, like her iconic reptiles; one of María Félix’s jewels, which are among the most renowned throughout the history of this famous brand.
The truth is that «María Bonita», as the actress was also known; since the famous composer Agustín Lara, composed exclusively for her, the song of the same name; and dedicated it to her as a wedding present; She was a lover of jewelry, and established a close relationship with Cartier, which she maintained until the end of her life, and which she knew how to value the brand after her death, when in 2006 he launched the collection «La Doña de Cartier»as a tribute to the Mexican actress.
One of the most striking jewels of María Félix is the “Snake Necklace”, which was the first garment that he had made with Cartier in 1968; in white gold, yellow gold and platinum, in addition to having 2,473 diamonds; which totaled about 178.21 carats, as well as two pear-shaped emeralds; which were the eyes of the snake, and to highlight the beauty of the jewel red, green and black enamels were used. The making of the jewel lasted two years of work for the artisans of this jewelry.
Another of the jewels of María Félix, who made history and today is considered The most spectacular piece of this actress is the Crocodile Necklace; who had it made in 1975, when she went to the Cartier store on Rue de la Paix in Paris, accompanied by a small crocodile, which was her pet, since she wanted a replica of it made for her, embodied in a jewel, precisely the necklace we know today.
The design of this exuberant necklace is based on two intertwined crocodiles, which individually could be used as brooches; which are made of gold, and have 1,060 emeralds that have 66.86 carats, 1,023 yellow diamonds of 60 carats, two cabochons of emeralds and two rubies, which are the eyes of crocodiles. Undoubtedly an extraordinary mix of materials in an unusual design and rarely seen in any jewel, and above all worn with such attitude and elegance, by this sensual and unique woman.
Currently these jewels of María Félix, are exhibited in exhibitions around the worldthanks to the collection made by the famous jewelry brand Cartier, which as it was given previously is called «La Doña de Cartier», and which is made up of 4 pieces made with Colombian emeralds, diamonds and gold, and inspired by the necklace that the actress ordered to do in 1975 taking her pet as a model, a baby crocodile.