Lot Details
Lot 192
Jean Després Silver, Rose Gold-Plated and Turquoise Pendant
One round cabochon turquoise ap. 16.4 mm., signed J. Després, with maker's mark, ap. 27 dwts.
At the beginning of the 20th century, as a young jeweler's apprentice in Paris, Jean Després mingled in the Montmartein scene. Among his contemporaries were cubist artists Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso whose work were later formative to Després personal designs. With the onset of WWI, Després became an industrial draftsman for military aviation. His later use of hammered metals and ample, generous and modern shapes can be credited to the aviation aesthetic.
In 1920, he took over his parents' shop and launched his goldsmith and jeweler workshop making his iconic "engine jewelry," and serveware. Després worked mainly with silver, on trend with the white metal preference of the 1930s. But with the economic crisis of the period, Després would utilize the more affordable pewter along with semi-precious materials, such as turquoise, coral and onyx for bright injections of color to his bold and uncompromising works. In 1977, at the age of 88, Després retired and closed his workshop.
C Property from a European Jewelry Collector
Additional Notes & Condition Report
Wear to rose-gold plated ball on bail, visible wear on top.
2 7/8 x 1 1/2 inches.
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