A FINE DIAMOND BROOCH, BY CHAUMET, CIRCA 1955Of stylised openwork design, the principal round brilliant-cut diamond weighing approximately 1.40cts within a cluster of marquise-shaped diamonds, to a triple spray of brilliant and tapered baguette-cut diamonds, mounted in platinum, remaining diamonds approximately 8.00cts, signed Chaumet, within Chaumet fitted case, length 3.8cmChaumet was founded in 1780 by Marie-Etienne Nitot, with an establishment at the heart of place Vend?me. His creativity and quality of workmanship, led him to become one of the most sought-after jewellers in Europe and thus establish a loyal and prestigious clientele. Since its inception Chaumet has preserved and continued the Parisian tradition of expertly crafted fine jewellery.The history of Chaumet has been entwined with the History of France, with Nitot and his son, Francois Regnault Nitot becoming the official jeweller to Napoleon during the Consulate and the Empire, creating tiaras, official court jewels and fashion accessories. Napoleon’s marriage to Joséphine, then to Marie-Louise of Habsburg-Lorraine, Queen Marie-Antoinette’s great-niece, resulted in some impressive commissions for Chaumet. Following the fall of the Empire, Nitot’s successors Jean-Baptiste Fossin and his son, Jules, dedicated themselves to romantic jewellery inspired by the decorative arts of the Italian Renaissance and of the French 17th-century.In 1848, Jules Fossin set up a London branch in partnership with J.V., Morel, assisted by his son Prosper. On his return to Paris in 1954, Prosper Morel joined Jules Fossin whom he succeeded in 1868. Prosper Morel’s daughter married Joseph Chaumet in 1875. With exceptional creativity and inspired by the re-enchantment of nature, Joseph Chaumet came to be recognised as an undisputed master of the Belle époque. In 1889, Chaumet took over the company and gave his name to the house.In 2001, the LVMH Group acquired the house and entrusted the reigns to Thierry Fritsch, an art lover who revived the business, all while preserving its original spirit. Pascal Bourdariat was made the 12th head of the workshop, and as tradition dictates, a special ceremony was held for the handover to initiate the new bearer of the tradition. The house’s skill is traditionally passed down from one head of the workshop to another, without interruption, reflecting the creativity and excellence of each era.In the 1920s Chaumet’s jewellery styles became more geometric in line, following art deco style, characterised by strong contrasts in colours and materials, the use of semi-precious stones, black and white, as well as exotic inspirations. The 1930s saw Chaumet becoming more feminine, continuing its style while exploring a certain modernity that echoed fine Parisian taste, ever in search of novelty and the avant-garde. In 1970, gold jewellery, sometimes set with hardstone, bronze or mother-of-pearl, was on offer in a new boutique concept.Chaumet’s legacy of bucolic beauty is a deep well of inspiration that bridges past and present designs. Today, the bees share Chaumet’s garden-inspired Jardin’s Collection with the spider, weaving its perilous web, playing their game of amorous hide-and-seek. The ‘Hortensia’ collections invite us into a delicate garden filled with vibrant colour, the ‘Bee my love’ collection, including the diamond bee and the honeycomb motif, celebrate an imperial pledge of love and the ‘Attrape Moi’ collection once again highlights the bee. The house’s international development continues with a network of stores across Europe, the Middle East, Japan and Asia. Chaumet’s headquarters at 12 Place Vendome still house the studio, workshop and boutique - including a “Tiara Hall” and a large 18th century lounge that has been classified as a national monument.For more than 230 years Chaumet’s excellence in high Jewellery has been passed down through generations of jewellers. Diamonds and precious stones, carefully selected for their exceptional clarity and brilliance, are sculpted into round, cushion, oval, emerald or the house’s signature pear-shaped cut, and then the jewellers, stone setters, polishers and engravers give life to the jewels, exhibited in magnificent pieces of jewellery. With inspiration drawn from Art Nouveau, nature and travels, Chaumet ceaselessly reinvents its aesthetic codes and creates jewels that are truly remarkable. The elegant diamond brooch embodies a naturalistic theme, with the large round brilliant diamond surrounded by smaller brilliant marquise shaped diamonds depicting a flower, all set to the side of an artistic design. This is a truly magnificent piece to be cherished, increasing the glamour stakes of any outfit.
