Eugène Fontenay
Miniature and gold demi-parure
Session begins in
March 31, 08:30 AM GTNN
Estimate
7,500 - 14,000 EUR
Bid
6,500 EUR
Lot Details
Description
Comprising a brooch, a pair of pendent earrings and a pendant, decorated with granulation and filigree motifs, embellished with miniature paintings.
- Brooch measuring 70 x 35 mm, lengths for the earrings and pendant 70 and 43mm.
- French import assay marks for 18 carat gold
- Mid 19th century
- Combined gross weight : 38.38 grams
Born into a dynasty of Parisian jewellers, Eugène Fontenay (1824–1887) established himself in the mid-19th century as one of the most esteemed goldsmiths of his t.mes . Trained under renowned jewellers, he opened his own workshop on Rue Favart in Paris in 1848 and quickly attracted a distinguished clientele, including Empress Eugénie and many foreign courts.
Deeply influenced by the revival of Antiquity, following the presentation of the Campana collects ion at the Louvre in 1861, Fontenay developed a personal archaeological style inspired by Greek, Roman, and Etruscan models. A master of goldwork, he excelled in granulation and filigree techniques, favoring matte gold surfaces and combining with pearls, coral, lapis-lazuli, or delicate enamels.
His creations earned him international recognition and numerous distinctions, including a gold medal at the 1867 Exposition Universelle and the Légion d’Honneur in 1873. Today, Fontenay’s works remain highly sought after by collects ors and are preserved in museums worldwide.