Pierre Sterlé Earrings
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.
20th Century Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Turquoise
1960s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Earrings
18k Gold
1950s American Modern Vintage Pierre Sterlé Earrings
1980s Vintage Pierre Sterlé Earrings
2010s Dutch Modern Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Retro Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century North American Contemporary Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century French Retro Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modernist Pierre Sterlé Earrings
18k Gold
20th Century Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Turquoise, Gold
1990s Greek Classical Greek Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 22k Gold
1950s French Artist Vintage Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Mixed Metal
1960s French Retro Vintage Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1970s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
1930s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1950s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1950s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1960s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold