Adam's Fine Jewellery & Watches Tuesday 14th September 2021

T uesday 14 th S eptember 2021 . S tarting at 6 pm 28 31 A CARNELIAN AND GOLD BRACELET, BY GEORGES LENFANT, CIRCA 1955 Composed of fancy polished gold links interspersed by carnelian sugarloaves, mounted in 18K gold, with maker’s mark ‘GL’ for Georges Lenfant, French assay marks, length 20.3cm € 7,000 - 8,000 32 A GOLD RETRO RING, CIRCA 1950 Of bombé design with ropetwist detailing, mounted in 18K gold, possibly French (marks partly rubbed), ring size M € 1,400 - 1,800 Georges Lenfant was born into the world of French jewellery design and he quickly became a master of his trade. Growing up, he undertook several apprenticeships before studying jewellery in Paris and abroad. In 1900, Georges set up his own workshop at 47 rue des Petits-Champs,minutes away from his patrons at the PlaceVendome and Rue de la Paix. He was well established by 1903 and was listed in a publication of the Revue de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie, Orfevrerie of that year. His creative designs and flawless exe- cution put him in demand with the larger jewellery houses and, in a bid not to be forgotten behind infamous names such as Cartier, Mellerio dits Meller andVan Cleef &Arpels, Georges established a maker’s mark in 1909 and proceeded to stamp each piece before it lefts his workshop. In 1915, Georges was joined in the firm by his son Jacques who, at the age of just eleven, was eager to learn the art of jewellery. Neither Georges nor Jacques shied away from collaboration and the Georges Lenfant company had been working with Sandoz for many years when, in 1927, Gustave-Roger Sandoz sold his business to Georges under the condition that his son, Gerard Sandoz, remained as artistic director. Between them, they created striking examples ofArt Moderne jewellery, their work infused with bold lines, bright colours and contrasting shapes. Following the end ofWWII, Lenfant took overVerger Freres.This heralded a new collaboration withVacheron Constantin, who had been working withVerger Freres for some time. Constantin and Lenfant busied themselves with watch design and, together, they created pieces for Hermes. In 2003,Georges Lenfant was bought by Bouder and ceased to operate.However, pieces bearing the Lenfant mark continue to prove popular, their numerous collaborations meaning that there is a design to suit everyone.