LOS ANGELES, CA.- Bonhams & Butterfields announced the Tony Duquette "Talismans of Power" Auction on April 18, 2011, which will follow the firm's sale of 20th Century Decorative Arts. The Los Angeles auction will feature a unique offering of approximately 135 lots of jewelry designed and created by the famed Tony Duquette.

The collection is mainly comprised of Duquette's famed "Talismans of Power" necklaces, but also includes unique brooches, pendants and bracelets designed as accompaniments to the necklaces. The elegant pieces are made from gold plated silver, exotic and semi-precious stones and geodes as well as iconic Duquette imagery.

Originally created by Duquette as part of his healing process and for his personal use, a number of the Talismans boast unique mantras. Eventually select pieces of the mystical jewelry were given as gifts to Duquette's close friends, relations and notable society figures. Select Talismans have even been featured on the fashion runways for Balmain and Oscar de la Renta.

Highlights from the Tony Duquette "Talismans of Power" include: a Paua shell, quartz crystal, zircon, lapis lazuli and vermeil necklace 'Symbolizing Beauty from the Sea and the Essence of Nature Regeneration', 1990s (est. $2,000-3,000); a turquoise, coral, trade bead and vermeil necklace 'Representing Strength and Success Through Versatility', 1990s (est. $3,000 - 5,000); an amethyst slice, rose quartz, amethyst cabochon and vermeil necklace 'Symbolizes the Universal Truth and Love', 1990s (est. $2,500-3,500) and a blue sliced agate, paua shell, turquoise, lapis lazuli, glass bead and vermeil necklace with 'grasshopper' element 'Representing Strength in Times of Difficult Challenges', 1990s (est. $800 - 1,200). The 'grasshopper' element necklace is currently featured in the April 2011 issue of Town & Country Magazine in an article from which the title of this press release was taken.

San Francisco Preview: March 18- April 12, 2011 (highlights only)
1st Los Angeles Preview: March 25-27, 2011 (highlights only, with Fine Jewelry)
New York Preview: March 29-April 11, 2011 (highlights only)
2nd Los Angeles Preview: April 15-17, 2011 (full sale preview)
Auction: April 18, 2011, Los Angeles