Siegelson
Jean Fouquet’s audacious and innovative designs for Maison Georges Fouquet were created only for a short time, from 1925 to 1931. This bracelet, designed in 1926 just after the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, is a seminal work of Art Deco design, complete with the original drawing and the original case. Fouquet was inspired by the form of the cuff bracelet and its ability to be seen from afar. He said, “A piece of jewelry must be composed of masses clearly visible from a distance… Objects glimpsed at top speed become distorted and we can only perceive them by their volume… Today we have become accustomed to reading quickly.” This striking bracelet is an exceptional example of abstract sculpture. Large step-cut aquamarines are framed within a ground of overlapping semicircular enamel sections accented by bands of pavé-set diamonds that appear to be woven into the enamel pieces. This superbly designed bracelet is an exceptional and pure example of Art Deco design that embodies the avant-garde spirit of the era and is even more incredible when worn on the wrist. Siegelson is recognized by museum curators, magazine editors, and jewelry houses as a leading source of and authority on rare jewelry, gemstones, and objets d’art. Lee Siegelson, a third-generation gem and jewelry dealer, has a discerning eye for acquiring unique and important creations. Pieces offered by Siegelson are screened with a curatorial eye for art historical significance, taste, and ultimately, beauty. Each is a masterpiece of twentieth-century design that will stand the test of time, and will be as desirable fifty years from now as it is today.
