Gold Sculptures

Created in 1956, this 23K gold medallion is stamped with the artist's signature 'Picasso', the François and Pierre Hugo reference number '1439', and the goldsmith's mark and a French mark on verso. Numbered 1/2 and stamped ‘EXEMPLAIRE D’ARTISTE’; this work is one of two author’s proofs , aside from the edition of 20 and two artist’s proofs. In the 1950’s and 1960’s Picasso initiated a collaboration with renowned goldsmith François Victor-Hugo. Together, they created a series of medallions all in gold based after original designs from Picasso. Much to Hugo’s dismay, Picasso initially refused to sell these works for profit and instead kept them as private treasures. However Picasso gave in to Hugo’s persistence and in 1967and authorized Hugo to make a small, 'numbered edition’ of each for sale. They were not sold publicly but rather dispatched to their respective buyers and so they attracted almost no publicity, making them quite rare. In fact, few outside of Picasso’s inner circle knew about their existence. Each gold medallion was individually selected, designed and approved by Picasso, revealing the special attachment the artist had towards the medallions. This image is a splendid adaptation of Picasso’s ceramic work Centaur, 1956. The mythical creature becomes even more fantastical given the lustrous gold coloring of the medallion. Frolicking in the center, the centaur appears to jump, as if greeting its viewers. The carefully rendered lines and dots exaggerate the centaur’s movement. Playful and beguiling, Picasso’s design demonstrates his mastery of a multitude of mediums. Catalogue Raisonné & COA: This work is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the final sale of the work) : 1.C. Siaud & P. Hugo, Bijoux d'artistes Hommage à François Hugo...

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, Picasso initiated a collaboration with renowned goldsmith François Victor-Hugo. Together, they created a series of gold medallions after original designs fr...

Profil de Jacqueline, Pablo Picasso, Gold, Medaillon, Jewels, Design, Art Profil de Jacqueline Ed. 4/20 pcs + 2 EA 1956 Gold Medaillon D. 5.2 cm Stamped and numbered on the back : Picasso 4/20, Goldsmith's mark, 1412 Certificate of authenticity issued by Pierre Hugo. Provenance : Workshop of François et Pierre Hugo, France Private collection (acquired from the above) Only 30 medallions were created after the Picasso?s design. Each of them is numbered out of 20 and made of 23 carats yellow gold. François Hugo, great-grandson of the famous writer Victor Hugo, found his vocation in designing buttons for Coco Chanel and Christian Dior in the 1940s. His brother and sister-in-law, Jean and Valentine Hugo, were close friends of Picasso, Cocteau, Diaghilev, the Surrealists and many avant-garde artists in Paris, and François became part of their Salon gatherings. Picasso asked for his collaboration on the design and production of silver plates and later designs for gold jewellery too. Others, including Jean Cocteau and Max Ernst, followed his lead shortly after. In 1972, François' son Pierre joined the goldsmith workshop and added more names to his catalogue of designers, still specialising in limited, hand-made editions. This medallion is an excellent example of the collaboration between these most iconic of 20th Century artists and goldsmiths. "...In the period between 1956 and 1970 he had commissioned one of the most prominent goldsmiths working in France today, François Victor Hugo to execute a series of dishes, fruit bowls and medallions in gold and silver based on original models and designs? These objects are not posthumous "inventions" with motifs taken from various Picasso works; each was personally chosen, designed, seen, approved and cherished by Picasso himself during his lifetime ... " [1]. The original box and certificate by Atelier Hugo...

Very nice little girl bust finely made in biscuit (porcelain) of the 50s after the bronze test of Jean Antoine Houdon representing Louise Brongniard at the age of 5 years old, daughter of the architect of the Stock exchange of Paris. The bust rests on a blue porcelain base with gold thread. It is stamped "THARAUD LIMOGES made in FRANCE...