JEAN DESPRES 1950 Paris Geometric Artistic Pendant .800 Silver & Yellow Gold
Sculptural pendant designed by Jean Després (1886-1980).
This is a very rare collector's piece of jewelry, created in Paris France by the artist goldsmith Jean Després, back in the 1950. This exceptional pendant has been crafted with geometric modernist patterns in solid .800/.999 silver with rectangular details in 18 karats gold. The surfaces are finished with polished and hammered patterns. Fitted on top with a movable oval ring to wear in a chain.
Country: Paris, France
Period: Late deco, post war, 1940-1950.
Weight: 42.95 Grams, (27.60 Dwt.).
Measurements: 30 mm by 90 mm by 4 mm (1.18 x 3.5 x 0.16 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with French marks; the maker's mark JP inside a lozenge cartouche the crab for the assay of the .800/.999 silver, the .750/.999 gold and signed at the reverse as follows, "J. DESPRES".
Jean Després
He was born in 1889 in Souvigny, Burgundy, from glass blower parents, Jean Després starts his apprenticeship with a Parisian goldsmith, friend of the family, in 1905. First an industrial drawer for the military aviation during World War I, he took over his parents’ shop in 1920 and launched his goldsmith and jeweler workshop. He revealed himself to be an innovative creator with a unique way to work metals, and with new drawn shapes never seen before. He participated to his first show in 1926 at the Salon des Indépendants. Many shows and exhibitions then followed, such as the Salon d’Automne, the Salon of Decorative artists, and the Tuileries Salon. Jean Després chooses massive shapes rather than the classical goldsmith ornaments and avoids the use of precious gemstones in his jewel collection. His jewel production is defined by necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings where metals are combined with ivory, lacquer, ebony, onyx and sharkskin. His goldsmith pieces are inspired by the aviation aesthetic, crafted using hammered metals, and ample, generous and modern shapes. In the 1940’s, Jean Després is nominated President of the Goldsmith Syndicate, after receiving the Legion d'honneur, in 1938. The artist’s works will be collected in France and worldwide, even after his death in 1980. (Maison Rapin with thanks).
Literature: Melissa Garibaldi, Jean Despres: Jeweler, Maker, and Designer of the Machine Age, Thames & Hudson, 2009 for similar examples crafted in gold and silver.
References: Christie's New York, 22 April 2010, Lot-214 for a similar one illustrated and offered.
Collateral: This Jean Després pendant is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of this Jean Després pendant is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the silver or the gold. This pendant was carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: P082625EENM/1.606
