GEORGES LENFANT Rare yellow gold bracelet

Rare bracelet in 750/000 yellow gold composed of elongated spangled links alternating with smooth oval links. French work from the 1960s-1970s bearing the hallmark of the famous manufacturer Georges LENFANT and the French guarantee hallmark. Weight: 32 grams. Length: 20 cm. Width: 1 cm. Georges Lenfant was an extremely skilled designer and manufacturer, he was a master builder at Cartier and made jewelry for several of the greatest Parisian houses on the Place Vendôme and the Rue de la Paix. His workshop was located at 47 rue des Petits-Champs, a short walk from Place Vendôme and Rue de la Paix where his famous clients had their workshops. He is listed in a 1903 edition of the "Revue de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie, Orfèvrerie" indicating that he was already established by that date, however, he did not register his distinctive maker's mark until 1909. As his success and reputation grew, it is possible that he made the decision to mark his pieces so that although they would eventually be sold by companies such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Mellerio dits Meller, they would also bear his mark and be identifiable as originating from his workshop. Between them, these artisans created a wide variety of jewelry for a wide clientele; from elegant diamond-set rings, bold gemstone bracelets, and finely crafted gold jewelry, Lenfant's workshop produced some of the finest jewelry of the time. Lenfant had been creating jewelry for Sandoz for many years when, in 1927, Gustave-Roger Sandoz decided to sell the company to his friend and collaborator. His son Gérard remained artistic director and together they created some of the most striking and original pieces of Art Moderne, characterized by bold lines, contrasting shapes, and strong color combinations. A few years later, in the aftermath of World War II, Lenfant took over another workshop, that of Verger Frères which had been founded in 1872 and is best known for its production of fabulous Art Deco jewelry and objects. The 1950s saw collaborations with Vacheron Constantin to make watches for Hermès as well as the continuation of long-standing partnerships with jewellers such as Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. In the 1960s and 70s, the L'enfant workshop produced many gold chain bracelets and necklaces, which is perhaps what they are best known for today. Jacques L'enfant was fascinated by the art of the goldsmith and the myriad of patterns, shapes and textures that could be used to create a seemingly endless array of chains. Intricately woven textures (Hermes' Vendome pattern) but also a combination of different coloured gold and various circular and twisted motifs are all typical of Lenfant pieces, sometimes accented with diamonds and always finely crafted, they remain highly desirable and wearable today.