Jean Mahie Charming Monsters Cuff

Bold, vibrant and full of life, the remarkably ebullient gold jewelry of French brand Jean Mahie has dazzled collectors from the moment it first appeared. Featuring motifs derived from classical mythology and ancient architecture, Jean Mahie earrings, necklaces, bracelets and other accessories are characterized by sinuous lines and simple, primordial shapes.  

Painter and sculptor Jacline Mazard was at loose ends with her art career when her father-in-law, sculptor and goldsmith Jean-Marie Mazard, recognized her potential and invited her to join him in his workshop in the South of France. Self-taught, Jean-Marie Mazard shared his love of working with gold with his daughter-in-law, and the pair began collaborating in 1969 under the name Jean Mahie. 

A shrewd businessman, Jean-Marie Mazard focused on efforts to market the pair’s striking creations, and with the support of a public relations executive, early publicity promptly resulted in acclaim and wide recognition. Their work eventually fit snugly alongside the candy-colored gems and bohemian fashions of the late 1960s and 1970s, an era of free expression and fascination with cultures around the world that yielded vibrant jewelry with global influences.

Working with 22-karat yellow gold, Jean Mahie’s founders produced bold designs that drew on architecture and artifacts of Mediterranean history, inspired by Jacline’s childhood, which took shape not far from the ruins of ancient Carthage in Tunisia. Their textured, sculptural link necklaces, cuff bracelets, dangle earrings and other pieces garnered praise from the likes of Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, both of which engaged in partnerships with Jean Mahie. Neiman Marcus later became the sole retailer of the brand’s jewelry.

Jean-Marie Mazard passed away in 1994. Jacline Mazard now designs alongside her son and daughter in their studio in New York City.

Discover vintage Jean Mahie bracelets, necklaces and earrings on 1stDibs.

There is no shortage of iconic bracelet designs out there: Cartier’s Love bracelet, the widely admired Panthère, the Croisillon bracelet crafted by Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co., to name a few. And while you don’t necessarily need one of history’s most coveted versions of this accessory, you’re likely going to want at least a reliable collection of vintage cuff bracelets in your jewelry box.

Cuff bracelets are fashion staples. This stylish go-to — a rigid bracelet, open or outfitted with a clasp that snaps shut, understated and unadorned or enameled and flecked with gemstones — goes back thousands of years.

Cuffs were worn by Greek and Roman soldiers as they headed into battle as well as by the men and women of Ancient Egypt as statement-making jewelry. In ancient China, jade was considered the most precious of stones, and a jade cuff bracelet or bangle was associated with purity and goodness. Jewelers also employed jade, as well as coral and lapis lazuli, during the Art Deco period, finding inspiration in all kinds of influences and frequently working geometric motifs into their Art Deco cuff bracelets.

Today, people love how a bejeweled cuff bracelet elevates a simple jeans-and-T-shirt ensemble or that a minimalist one pairs with formal wear so well. Indeed, it’s a fine finishing touch whether you’re dining with friends in your neighborhood or pairing your silver or gold cuff with an elegant evening dress on the red carpet.

On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of vintage cuff bracelets today.