Decades before luxury French jewelry maisons such as Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier were born, Marie-Étienne Nitot (1750–1809) founded the house that became the internationally esteemed Chaumet, which, for centuries, has created timeless necklaces, watches, rings, tiaras and other jewelry and accessories for royalty as well as Hollywood luminaries.
Before opening his own jewelry house, Nitot worked as an apprentice to Ange-Joseph Aubert, court jeweler to Marie Antoinette, and collaborated on pieces for the Queen. In 1780, he left Aubert’s side to open his own maison.
Surviving the upheaval of the French Revolution, Nitot soon found lavish commissions with the new people in power. The Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte longed for France to once again be the epicenter of luxury, making himself the fashionable face of the prospering country. Nitot’s commissions for Napoléon began with the papal tiara for Pope Pius VII that included a 414-carat emerald among its thousands of precious stones and the 1804 coronation sword, a decadent piece that featured the 140-carat Regent diamond.
The young jewelry house soon became the official jeweler of the Imperial Court, the personal jeweler of Empress Joséphine and one of the most sought-after jewelers in Europe. Chaumet’s work in this era helped popularize the tiara as a status symbol, with ornate pieces designed for Joséphine and Empress Marie-Louise, Napoléon’s second wife.
After Nitot died in 1809, his son, François-Regnault, took over in 1812 and moved the maison into the Place Vendôme, making it the first business to occupy the Parisian center of luxury. By then, Chaumet had included timepieces in its offerings, such as bracelet watches adorned with precious gemstones and equipped with movements made by Breguet (which opened a shop on Place Vendôme in 1933).
After the fall of the Napoléon Empire, successors Jean-Baptiste and Jules Fossin focused more on romantic styles of jewelry that referenced the past and nature, an approach carried on by Valentin and Prosper Morel. It was Joseph Chaumet, director from 1885 to 1928, who gave the maison its illustrious name and brought it into the 20th century with jewelry, accessories and tiaras inspired by the extravagant decor of the Belle Époque.
Later, with Joseph’s son, Marcel Chaumet, succeeding him, the house would be featured at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris — from which the term Art Deco derives — and, alongside the likes of Cartier, would be seen as a leader in introducing the flamboyantly geometric designs and high-contrast color pairings of Art Deco jewelry to the global stage.
Chaumet has adapted over the years to meet changing tastes and trends. The house still reigns in the world of luxury jewelry, celebrating its 240th anniversary in 2020. Since 1999, it has been part of the LVMH Group. Its salons and high jewelry workshop continue to operate in the Place Vendôme where gem-setters, polishers and jewelers craft rings, earrings, watches and enduringly popular tiaras.
Find an exquisite range of authentic vintage Chaumet jewelry on 1stDibs.
Chaumet snake sapphire hairpin in 18k gold and horn, unsigned, animal jewelry
By Chaumet
Located in PARIS, FR
Chaumet snake sapphire hairpin in 18 karats gold. This Chaumet hairpin features a serpent motif coiling around the top. The serpent is crafted in gold, its head adorned with two rose...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
$650 / set
Sterling Silver Jungle Animals
Located in Darnestown, MD
Five sterling silver jungle animals to include: an elephant; a lion; a rhinoceros; a jungle cat and a wading bird with a fish in its mouth. The pieces ...
Sterling Silver
Buffalo horn hairpin
By Lera Treyger
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Shiori is named for a state of spiritual concentration, a quiet narrowing of the mind’s lens until the world comes into precise, resonant focus. It is the stillness that allows one t...
18k Gold Naked Woman climbing a staircase by Salvador Dalí Sculpture Necklace
By Salvador Dalí
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Naked Woman Climbing a Staircase (originally in French Femme nue montant l'escalier) is a drawing done with pencil and charcoal on card made by Joan Miró in 1937 According to the Joa...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Silver-Gilt Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby and Pearl Butterfly Brooch
Located in Darien, CT
This Victorian Silver Gilt butterfly brooch is crafted with beautiful gem-set wings and body. Colorful and delightful, it's set with sapphires, rubies, rose-cut diamonds, and seed pe...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, Silver
"Madonna de Port Lligat" Pendentif Necklace Solid 18k Gold by Salvador Dalí
By Salvador Dalí
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Unique 18k Yellow Gold Salvador Dali Madonna de Port Lligat Pendant Necklace / Bracelet This is a limited edition numbered piece from 1970's, number 0040/ out of 1000 This necklace comes with a pouch and a frame for collectors piece exhibit Accompanying card from Exmundart Original rights from Land Spring Enginering Ltd, propietor of the exclusive world-wide rights on this sculpture-jewel as stated in the document ordained by Salvador Dalí, and legalised by Mr. José Gómez de la Serna, Notary of Barcelona Spain. Details: Sculpture-Jewel cast wit the use of the lost wax process and denominated Madonna de Port Lligat Length: Bracelet 8¨"/ 20cm Necklace alone 17,32" / 44cm Necklace with bracelet...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Zeus Sculptural Pen Holder in Sterling Silver, 18K Gold, Enamel & Gemstones
Located in ראשון לציון, IL
"Titans vs. Olympians - Zeus" is a sculptural luxury pen holder created within the Konforti family atelier as part of the artistic world of the monumental "Titans vs. Olympians - The...
Emerald, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$62,500
H 6 in W 6.5 in L 4 in
18K Gold, Diamonds, Amethyst, Tourmaline, Bloodstone, and Jasper Toucan Bird
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Long Island City, NY
An 18K gold, diamonds, amethyst, tourmaline, bloodstone, carved emerald, opal and jasper toucan bird resting on a gold tree branch, mounted on a carved malachite base. A very rare and unique gold-mounted jeweled object...
Amethyst, Diamond, Tourmaline, Jasper, 18k Gold
$2,500,000 / item
H 5.91 in W 25.6 in L 25.6 in
Monumental Chess Set “The Ball - A War of Luxury and Fashion” in Silver & Gold
Located in ראשון לציון, IL
“The Ball - A War of Luxury and Fashion” is a monumental sculptural chess set conceived as a museum-level collectible and created within the Konforti family atelier in the spirit of ...
Sapphire, Tsavorite, Tourmaline, Topaz, Ruby, Pearl, Onyx, Lapis Lazuli,...
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
Titanium, Pearl, Rubies, Peridot, Diamonds, Pink and Blue Sapphires Bird Brooch
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Please check out the HD Video! A huge statement piece! This colorful design is so eye catching! This titanium brooch is made out of many colorful precious and semi precious stones. ...
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Peridot, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, T...
$1,874Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.19 in L 1.19 in
Honorary French Medal in 18-carat Yellow Gold in Portois House
Located in Vannes, FR
Honorary Medal in 18-carat Yellow Gold in Portois House 18-carat Yellow Gold Honorary Medal Square-shaped medal representing two men named: A.PORTOIS. and A.FIX their portrait is ve...
18k Gold
$1,400 / item
H 1.74 in W 1.3 in L 1.86 in
Silver Gold Plated Snake Purse Miniature with gemstones by MOISEIKIN
By MOISEIKIN
Located in Hong Kong, HK
MOISEIKIN x MONEYSTONE presents a special collection of miniatures, "Symbol of the Year 2025", which combines the stylised visuals of the world of nature with symbols of prosperity, wealth and success for the upcoming Year of the Snake. All of the interior miniatures are created in metal form with natural minerals and semi-precious gemstones from the Ural mountains. We wish you a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous year ahead! - Snake Purse...
Amethyst, Quartz, Tsavorite, Gold Plate, Silver
Solid 18k Gold and Tigers Eye Salvador Dalí Madonna de Port Lligat Necklace
By Salvador Dalí
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Unique only One in series of ten Limited Edition 18k Yellow Gold Salvador Dali Madonna de Port Lligat Pendant Necklace / Bracelet with tiger´s eye center base This is a limited edition numbered piece from 1970's, number 1 out of 10 ever made. This necklace comes with a pouch and a frame for collectors piece exhibit Accompanying card from Exmundart Original rights from Land Spring Enginering Ltd, propietor of the exclusive world-wide rights on this sculpture-jewel as stated in the document ordained by Salvador Dalí, and legalised by Mr. José Gómez de la Serna, Notary of Barcelona Spain. Details: Sculpture-Jewel cast wit the use of the lost wax process and denominated Madonna de Port Lligat Length: Necklace 25" (or 17" if wearing bracelet) Bracelet: 8" You can add bracelet to the necklace. Length: Bracelet 8¨"/ 20cm Necklace alone 17,32" / 44cm Necklace with bracelet...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold