Art Deco Jewelry

In reaction to Art Nouveau, Art Deco emerged in the 1920s, marking a shift towards rigid, geometric and refined lines. Gone were the decorative and sinuous curves: the line, clean, precise and assertive, became the guide of creation. Platinum and white gold dominated, relegating yellow gold to the background, while jewelers highlighted stones such as diamonds, onyx, turquoise, lapis lazuli, coral and fine pearl. The maharajas, arriving in Paris with their treasures, ordered spectacular sets, illustrating the magnificence of this era.

Art Deco emerged as a global movement, transforming not only jewelry, but also architecture, graphic design, and fashion. However, the creative momentum slowed with the war in the mid-1930s. Among the great names of this period were Raymond Templier (1891-1968), Jean Després (1889-1980), Georges Fouquet (1862-1957) and his son Jean Fouquet (1899-1984), as well as Paul Brandt (1880-1940). Iconic houses such as Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels also marked this golden age with their exceptional pieces.