Pierre Sterlé
The loss of his father in World War I led to Pierre Sterlé’s mentorship under his uncle, who supported his ascension into the jewelry design world. At the height of his success, Sterlé designed for jewelry titans Boucheron, Chaumet and Ostertag. He won the De Beers Diamond Award three years in a row and operated out of an exclusive boutique in Paris that served the elite and royal families by appointment only.
His uncle was a Parisian jeweler on the rue de Castiglione. Sterlé started his own workshop at the age of 29 and spent five years designing for eminent Parisian jewelry houses on rue Sainte-Anne. By the mid-1940s, Sterlé had moved his atelier closer to the Place Vendôme to better serve his wealthy patrons, who included French author Colette, King Farouk of Egypt, the Maharani of Baroda and the Begum Aga Khan.
Sterlé had a remarkable ability to “knit gold” into woven masterpieces. His technical prowess was unmatched by anyone in Paris, and arguably the world. His “angel wire” technique, considered his signature style, incorporated gold into fine ropes that became link bracelets, cocktail rings and accents on decorative pins and brooches. The effect gave a sense of movement and life to the pieces, something Sterlé strived for in his attempts to make metal and precious gemstones less rigid and cold.
Two misfortunes derailed his business. The first was a failed venture into perfume, which resulted in having to sell many of his designs to Chaumet and New York jeweler Montreaux. Sterlé rebounded with a successful display at the 1966 Biennale in Paris, where he was the first modern jeweler ever invited. His second misstep was more damaging. He opened an exclusive shop on the rue Saint-Honoré in 1969. It was unsuccessful, and he was forced to declare bankruptcy, selling most of his stock to Chaumet in 1976.
Sterlé stayed on with the company as a consultant until his death two years later in 1978.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Pierre Sterlé rings, earrings, bracelets and more.
| Average Sold Price |
| $7,387 |
| Styles |
| Related Creators |
1950s French Retro Vintage Pierre Sterlé
Diamond, Emerald, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, 18k Gold
1950s French Modernist Vintage Pierre Sterlé
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1940s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé
18k Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Pierre Sterlé
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé
Gold, 18k Gold
1960s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
1960s French Aesthetic Movement Vintage Pierre Sterlé
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1970s Vintage Pierre Sterlé
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
Pierre Sterlé Sale Prices
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | ||||||
|
| $7,387 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $3,950-$10,824 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |