Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Though the name Curtis Jeré is familiar to many as the maker of ebullient and eccentric modern design from the 1960s and ‘70s, relatively few are aware that it is a pseudonym for the design team of Curtis Freiler and Jerry Fels. Together, the two created some of the most striking and vivid furnishings and decorative objects of their era, from sculptures and dynamically framed mirrors, to lighting and wall decorations.
New Yorkers Freiler and Fels had collaborated for two decades on small jewelry lines before launching a design company called Artisan House in 1964. They combined variants of their names to create an artful persona — sometimes shortened to C. Jeré; the "surname" is pronounced with a rising inflection: jhayr-EH — that stood behind large-scale decorative metalwork, marked by semi-abstract petal forms with burnt and brazed edges. Fels served as head of design, and Freiler, known for his keen handiwork, was the production chief. The pair’s eclectic metalwork has captivated decorative art collectors and interior designers ever since.
The work of Curtis Jeré displays a sense of playfulness and curiosity, while drawing on inspirations and themes that include flowers, discs, geometric forms and animal figures. Freiler and Fels had a masterful ability to work with different materials, such as patinated brass and brilliant chrome.
The price of a Curtis Jeré mirror, lamp, wall-mounted sculpture or tabletop sculpture can range from $400 to $12,000, depending on the size, the rarity of the piece, the intricacy of the metalwork and the materials used in its construction. Other factors like condition can affect the perceived value and, thus, the cost of works by Curtis Jeré.
As you will see on 1stDibs, the imaginative powers of the designers of Curtis Jeré pieces were boundless, and their creations will add a dash of verve in any room.
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Tin, Copper, Brass
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Copper, Iron
Early 20th Century Asian Islamic Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Metal
1940s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Silver Plate, Enamel
Early 20th Century Turkish Moorish Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Tin, Copper
Early 20th Century Indian Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Metal
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Metal
1920s Asian Chinese Export Vintage Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Metal
Early 20th Century Industrial Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Metal
Mid-18th Century Indian Antique Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Metal
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Metal
20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Metal, Brass, Copper
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Brass, Copper, Steel
1980s American Modern Vintage Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Metal, Brass, Gold Leaf
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Curtis Jeré Metalwork
Brass, Iron, Steel