The internationally famed jewellery Maison, Mauboussin, was established in Paris in 1827 by Monsieur Rocher, and continues today nearly two centuries on! Mauboussin has long catered to an elite clientele, from moguls to movie stars, and their exquisite craftsmanship and experimentation with materials have put them at the forefront of jewellery design throughout their history.
In the latter half of the nineteenth century, Jean–Baptiste Noury took over from Monsieur Rocher, however the company's rise to becoming a fine Parisian jeweller is arguably attributed to Georges Mauboussin, Noury’s nephew. An entrepreneur, he took sole control in 1898, and in 1923 moved the company to Rue de Choiseul. After moving and expanding the firm’s Paris location, Mauboussin were able to house designers and craftspeople in one location and began to expand their international presence.
The 1920’s was a time of cultural and social change, which was reflected in jewellery. Mauboussin were pioneers of the Art Deco style, and won a gold medal at the famed Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs in Paris in 1925. After the second world war, fashions changed from the geometric shapes and clean lines of the Art Deco era, to sculptural designs that featured large flowing motifs, such as scrolls and coils. Metalwork also became more of a focus in a piece, with yellow and rose gold returning fashion. On occasion, gold was burnished to create shining surfaces, or textured to imitate fabrics.
In 1946, the Maison moved to 20 Place Vendôme where jewellers such as Boucheron and Van Cleef & Arpels stood. These years marked an era of luxuriousness and saw a greater emphasis on more elaborate styles. These could be both highly figurative and expressive, showcasing different cuts of gemstones; some carved, others faceted, or cut en cabochon, to truly bring forth their unique designs. Colour was also a key aspect, from enamelling and vibrantly coloured gemstones, to the introduction of natural materials such as coral and turquoise, these vintage designs by Mauboussin are still highly sought after today!
Here at Berganza, we have a wonderful selection of antique and vintage Mauboussin pieces, all of which showcase the creative vision and exceptional craftmanship which has been synonymous with Mauboussin for almost two hundred years. Visit Berganza to find your very own magnificent Mauboussin piece! Our team of specialists look forward to welcoming you into our newly renovated showroom, we are open 10am-5pm Monday to Friday and 10:30am-5pm on Saturday, no appointment is necessary!
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