A prolific talent, Jean Dunand was one of the most extraordinary and emblematic designers of the early 20th century. He produced well over a thousand Art Deco works in an almost dizzying array of media. He is best remembered for his exquisite creations in lacquer and metal, but he also worked as a sculptor, mosaicist, portraitist and goldsmith. The Swiss-born Parisian designer imagined jewelry, tapestries, fabrics for haute couture and, during World War I, even a helmet for soldiers with an adjustable visor.
Dunand’s clients included fashion designers Jeanne Lanvin, Madeleine Vionnet and Elsa Schiaparelli, as well as Josephine Baker, who used his vases and screens for her stage sets. She also posed nude for him, and her likeness appears on several lacquer panels. He collaborated with Robert Mallet-Stevens on a boutique for the Swiss leather-goods brand Bally on Paris’s boulevard de la Madeleine, and he lacquered furniture for both Eugène Printz and Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann.
The two highlights of his professional life, however, were no doubt his participation in the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris in 1925 and the decor he imagined for a number of luxury ocean liners, the largest and most prestigious of which was the Normandie, which first set sail in May 1935.
At the 1925 exhibition, from which Art Deco derives its name, Dunand made his mark not only with a series of four monumental hammered-copper vases, decorated with striking geometric patterns in lacquer consisting of squares, triangles, chevrons and undulating lines, but also with the sleek and stylish smoking room he designed for the Pavillon de la Société des Artisans Décorateurs.
Born Jules-John Dunand in 1877 (he Frenchified his first name later) close to Geneva in Switzerland, his first career was as a sculptor. He moved to Paris in 1897 and won a gold medal at the Exposition universelle de 1900 for a bronze proof titled Quo vadis. Five years later, he had turned his attention almost exclusively to the decorative arts. In an ensuing interview, he explained, “The desire to earn a living was partly responsible for my abandoning what is known as ‘fine art.’”
In 1912, Dunand met the Japanese lacquer master Seizo Sugawara, who initiated him into the secrets of the medium’s age-old techniques. It was not until 1921, however, that he presented his first pieces of lacquer furniture. Dunand was not the only Art Deco designer to use the material (Eileen Gray famously did so too), but he employed it much more prolifically and decoratively.
By 1924, he was at the head of a workshop of nearly 60 employees producing objects that ranged from boxes and trays to card tables and screens, many of which bore breathtakingly beautiful motifs consisting of interlocking lines and geometric shapes. By 1927, he had abandoned abstract patterns, favoring instead rich and complex figurative designs, largely featuring animals against stylized backgrounds of leaves and flowers, an aesthetic not far removed from the paintings of Henri Rousseau.
Dunand continued his work relentlessly until his death, in 1942 at the age of 65.
After World War II, Art Deco went completely out of style, and Dunand’s work was largely neglected until the mid-1970s. Since then, it has gained something of a cult following. Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, Andy Warhol and Marc Jacobs all had Dunand creations in their collections.
Find vintage Jean Dunand decorative objects, ceramics and other Art Deco works on 1stDibs.
French Art Deco Silver and Black Lacquer Cigarette Box Jean Dunand
By Jean Dunand
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
An exceptional French Art Deco cigarette box, dating to approximately 1930, crafted in silver with elegant black lacquer decoration accented by gilt details. This refined piece perfe...
Silver
$1,500
H 4.12 in W 5.38 in D 3.38 in
Rare Mark Cross London Art Deco Silver-Plated Revolving Cigarette Dispenser Box
By Mark Cross, Dunhill
Located in St. Louis, MO
An exceptional Art Deco period silver-plated desktop stash box, cigarette dispenser or humidor cabinet retail-stamped by the prestigious luxury house Mark Cross London. Featuring a sleek semi-circular architectural silhouette resting on subtle bun feet, this piece opens via a smooth revolving/swivel mechanism controlled by a front pull knob. The front panel displays a custom, period-correct engraved geometric Art Deco diamond monogram with the initials "ED". When swiveled open, it reveals a segmented internal compartment designed to organize cigarettes or small cigars vertically. The interior curved back wall retains a clear, crisp maker's stamp reading "CROSS LONDON" beneath the Mark Cross crest. Functions beautifully on an executive desk, bar cart, or vanity for contemporary use as a trinket or jewelry box. Maker / Retailer: Mark Cross London Period: Art Deco (Circa 1920s–1930s) Origin: London, England Style: Art Deco / Modernist Executive Materials: Silver-plated metal Object Type: Desktop cigarette dispenser / Mechanical humidor box Keywords: Mark Cross London, Mark Cross cigarette box, Art Deco cigarette dispenser...
Silver Plate
$12,000
H 3.25 in W 2.63 in D 0.38 in
Rare Jean Dunand Art Deco Cigarette Case, Circa 1930 – Bronze & Eggshell Lacquer
By Jean Dunand
Located in Red Lion, PA
Rare Jean Dunand Art Deco Cigarette Case, Circa 1930 – Bronze, Coquille d’Œuf, and Lacquer This exceptional Art Deco Jean Dunand cigarette case,...
Bronze
Art Deco Walnut Cigar / Cigarette Box, c1930
Located in Devon, England
Wonderfully styled Art Deco cigar box with a internal concertina three tier cigar/ cigarette dispenser with chrome accents. Originates from France, in good vintage condition with no ...
Brass
Art Deco Silver and Enamel "Risque" Cigarette Case. Circa 1920
Located in Incline Village, NV
Offered is an Art Deco silver and hand painted enamel cigarette case; often referenced in "sin" and other tobacco collectible circles as a "naughty" themed accessory. While it could ...
Silver, Enamel
Antique Austrian Art Deco Silver Cigarette Case
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco silver cigarette case, ca 1925. Rectangular; cover flat and hinged with tab and thumb rest. Sides and underside engine-turned; cover top central same band between lobing. Gi...
Silver
$272Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.25 in W 5 in D 4 in
T K Bronze Denmark Bronze Cigarette Box Art Deco or Art Nouveau
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an antique bronze cigarette box, likely dating from the early 20th century Art Deco or Art Nouveau period. and Finish: It is crafted from bronze and features a distinct green patina, a common oxidized finish for vintage bronze items. The box design is reminiscent of Scandinavian or Danish makers from the 1920s or 1930s, such as Just Andersen or Aedel Malm...
Bronze
Antique French Art Deco Silver and Guilloché Enamel Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A sophisticated French Art Deco silver box, featuring guilloché enamel detailing. The interior is silver-gilt, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship from the early 20th century. Spec...
Silver
English Silver Plate Art Deco Style Round Shape Covered Cigarette Box
By Sheffield Silver Co.
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Here is this English silver plate art deco style round shape covered cigarette / tobacco box, a must have accessory for the discerning aficionado. This exquisite box seamlessly com...
Silver Plate
$1,000
H 5.12 in W 7.49 in D 3.15 in
French Art Deco Cigarette Box, Wood & Chrome, Suitcase Design, 1920
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco Cigarette Box – 1920s Wood and Chrome Metal Suitcase Design. Rare and stylish French Art Deco cigarette box from the 1920s, crafted with a unique suitcase-inspired d...
Chrome
Art Deco Dinanderie Vase by Jean Dunand, Lacquered Brass, France 1939
By Jean Dunand
Located in Köln, NW
Decorative lacquered Art Déco Dinanderie vase. France 1939. Motif butterflies. Oval shape Fine inlay work Brass black lacquer. Marked R.Neykova 1939 on the underside. Unknown artist....
Metal
$601
H 2.37 in W 4.34 in D 3.94 in
WMF Ikora Art Deco Silver Plate and Black Enamel Cigarettes Box with Lid
By WMF Ikora
Located in Bochum, NRW
Sophisticated square box with hinged lid by WMF for Ikora Collection. Silver-plated Art Deco geometric shape, its interior is lined with cedar planks. A lovely black enamel banded mo...
Silver Plate
$2,440
H 1.97 in W 7.09 in D 3.55 in
Art Deco Sterling Silver Cigarette Box by Edward Barnard & Sons, London 1936
By Edward Barnard & Sons
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1936 by Edward Barnard & Sons Ltd, this refined George VI sterling silver cigarette box has a plain rectangular form. Reflecting the clean, minimalist aes...
Sterling Silver