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.
$420Sale Price|45% Off
Curtis Jere Honeybird Sculpture on Faux Bois Stone Quartz Base
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Honeybird sculpture by Curtis Jere Faux Bois on stone quartz base.
Brass
Late 20th Century American Mid Century Modern A - Z Bookends by, Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Englewood, NJ
A Pair of Mid Century Modern cast iron "A-Z" Iron Bookends finished in original gilt finish. They are each signed "@ C Jere 1970" They are In great vintage condition with some loss o...
Iron
Curtis Jere American, 1910-2008 Jump Rope, Bronze
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Buchanan, MI
Curtis Jere (American, 1910-2008) jump rope. Bronze figure of a girl jumping rope. Signed "C. Jere" along the base Measure: 10.5" x 6" x 4".
Bronze
Pair of American Mid-Century Modern Aluminum Bookends
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century modern "machine-age design" cast aluminum bookends with geometric form. (PRICED AS PAIR)
Aluminum
Late 20th Century Monkey Head Bookend With Fez Hats- a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Unconventional and humorous, these sculptural bookends feature detailed monkey heads wearing fez hats that double as candles. The bold headwear is decorated with kiss mark patterns, ...
Metal
"Owl on Branch, " Early sculpture by Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small but sweet table top sculpture by C. Jere circa 1967. Made of brass with enamel eyes and installed on a natural onyx rock. table top sculpture. Signed and dated 67.
Onyx, Brass, Enamel
Curtis Jere Raindrop Tree Vintage
By Curtis Jeré
Located in North Miami, FL
This patinated multi metal disk Curtis Jere life-size tree is weathered. The faux soil that is a resin/plastic and the pot that is metal makes the tree look...
Brass, Chrome, Copper, Nickel
Abstract Curtis Jere Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Abstract Curtis Jere sculpture. The body is made from brass and has a marble base.
Marble, Brass
1960s Curtis Jere 3 Birds in Flight Sculpture on Stone Base
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s Curtis Jere 3 Birds In Flight Sculpture On Stone Base with Label Lobster shown on wire net that completes the nautical sculpture
Rock Crystal, Metal, Brass, Bronze
$750 / set
H 7 in W 4 in D 4 in
Curtis Jere Mars & Venus Gold Gilt Bookends Sculptures Signed Jeré, 1968
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A beautiful, and in lovely condition, pair of Mars and Venus Curtis Jere sculptures or bookends depicting the male and female gender symbols on square bases made of gold leafed cast iron. In beautiful condition with original patina and signed "C. Jeré 1968". The gilt really adds a nice warmth and glow. These would look exquisite displayed in a lit bookcase, in a master bedroom, master bath...
Iron, Gold
Curtis Jere Horse Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Metal Curtus Jere horse sculpture with bronzy patina.
Metal
Curtis Jere Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in East Hampton, NY
Brass and chrome Curtis Jere modern sculpture on a round marble base.
Brass
Bronze Horses Sculpture by Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful 1970s cast bronze horses sculpture by renowned designers Curtis Jerè. The sculpture has a beautiful patina and its mounted on a wooden lacquer base. The sculpture is s...
Bronze
Signed Curtis Jere Brutalist Starburst
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Redding, CT
Signed Curtis Jere Brutalist Starburst sculpture. Such a statement piece. Perfect for a focal point in any room. Rare ,authentic signed ...
Metal, Chrome
Pair of "Quotation" Gold Leaf Finish Bookends by Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in San Diego, CA
Fun pair of mid-century modern iron "Quotation Mark" bookends with gold leaf finish by Curtis Jere, circa 1968. The bookends are in very good vintage condition with a great patina a...
Cut Steel, Gold Leaf
Sold
H 18 in W 9 in D 9 in
Curtis Jere Enameled Butterfly, Wire and Marble Sculpture Blue, Green Vintage
By Curtis Jeré
Located in North Miami, FL
This unusual and rarely found vintage signed Curtis Jere sculpture has enameled butterflies coming from 3 wire points that sit in the original marble base. The colors of shades of se...
Marble, Enamel, Wire
Curtis Jere Onyx and Metal Bookends
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Winnetka, IL
This is a pair of heavy onyx bookends adorned with metal gold chains made by Curtis Jere in 1969 in great condition.
Onyx, Brass
Curtis Jere Chrome Plated Tic Tac Toe Game on Marble Base
By Curtis Jeré
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage tic tac toe set game is on the original marble base. It is from the 70's. The XO players have not been re chrome plated. They have a bit of wear. The marble base is a bl...
Marble, Chrome
Sold
H 10 in W 8.75 in D 10.25 in
Mid Century Curtis Jere Bronze Skier Sculpture on Stone for Artisan House
By Artisan House, Curtis Jeré
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage original skier sculpture designed by Curtis Jere for Artisan House. This piece is made of bronze featured on a heavy striated stone base. The s...
Stone, Bronze
Sold
H 6.25 in W 5.75 in D 4.75 in
Curtis Jeré, Tennis Match, Bronze and Onyx Bookends, USA, circa 1976
By Curtis Jeré
Located in New York, NY
This unusual pair of bookends depicts a friendly tennis match. Both signed C. Jeré, they feature an unusual selection of materials used – bronze and onyx. C. Jeré (or Curtis Jere...
Onyx
Pair of C. Jere Gilt A-Z Bookends 1971
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Winnetka, IL
Pair of gilt iron A-Z bookends signed C. Jere and dated 1971 on each bookend. Each are mounted on custom bookplates to facilitate book storage.
Iron