Press article : The Belle Époque of jewellery - La Gazette Drouot

Fonseque & Olive, french work
Necklace "Belle Époque"

Dated circa 1900, this transformation necklace has ends that can be detached to be worn as a bracelet. It is set with approximately 8 ct of old and rose-cut diamonds. Although the maker's mark is difficult to read, it has been identified. It was created in 1885 by Émile Olive and Georges Fonsèque. Very few of their creations are offered at auction. Olive died in 1902, aged just 49. The son of a Parisian cashier-accountant for the Compagnie Générale des Cars, Olive was not destined to become a jeweller. He began an apprenticeship with a cheese-maker, but his aspirations tended more towards drawing. His jeweller uncle, Mr Larchevêque, welcomed him into his business, and in 1873 he joined Otterbourg. He soon made a name for himself, thanks in particular to his creations for the Vienna Universal Exhibition, and was chosen to work as a designer at the prestigious Falize company. He developed his talents there for ten years, also attending the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs. In 1885, the designer went into partnership with his long-time friend, the jeweller Fonsèque. In their workshop on rue Richelieu, they created original ornaments that were emblematic of an era, such as jewellery medals and "coffee bean" or "grape" brooches, featuring highly naturalistic fruits made from fluorescent ouraline glass.

Fonseque & Olive, French work - Belle Époque" transformation necklace in gold and silver, set with approximately 3 ct of old-cut diamonds and rose-cut diamonds, maker's mark partially visible, l. 35 cm (bracelet 17.2 cm).

Estimate : 20000/30000€

Lot 52 of the auction of December 31st at 1.30pm

La Gazette Drouot N°45 du 15 Décembre 2023 p.126