Jean-Claude Champagnat (French, 1923–1980s), Necklace and Bracelet, 1961, gold, diamonds, garnets

Audio Description

A necklace and bracelet combination, this example was made in 1961 by French jeweler Jean-Claude Champagnat, who lived from 1923 into the 1980s. It is made of gold, diamonds and garnets.

This is a combination necklace and bracelet. At the center of the necklace or bracelet is a round ball of faceted rubies that is elevated above the rest of the piece. The front part of the necklace is made up of very realistic small leaves that surround the central garnet ball and overlap one another, forming a row. Ten of the leaves at the center front are embellished with rows of small, faceted diamonds set along the midrib of the leaves. The part of the necklace that goes around the neck is made up of five herringbone chains.

Label Copy

A necklace and bracelet combination, this example was made in 1961 by French jeweler Jean-Claude Champagnat, who lived from 1923 into the 1980s. It is made of gold, diamonds and garnets.

Learning goldsmithing from his father, Champagnat most often made pieces in gold, incorporating both precious and semi-precious stones. A ground-breaking jeweler, his work earned him a place in the International Exhibition of Modern Jewellery at Goldsmith’s Hall. His motto was always, ‘Be unconventional.’

Champagnat was most inspired by plant life, as evidenced in this necklace and bracelet combination. Every vein in these delicately reproduced leaves is visible. Perhaps the piece was cast from specimens he collected while hiking outside Paris. This necklace converts into a bracelet with simple hooks attaching the five herringbone chains to the back of the last leaves in the sequence. The eye is drawn to the center where diamonds embellish the midrib of each leaf and a sphere dotted with faceted garnets rises above the rest. This is a more traditional example in contrast to the fantastical brooch at left, but adaptable for jet setters, nonetheless.

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