Born Romain de Tirtoff (1892–1990) in St. Petersburg, Russia, to an aristocratic family, the artist known as Erté — a pseudonym derived from the French pronunciation of his initials — was a Renaissance man of the art and design world. He worked in graphic arts, interior design, fashion, jewelry and set design for the stage and silver screen, becoming a leader of the Art Deco style.
Moving to Paris in 1912, Erté worked as a fashion designer under couturier Paul Poiret before securing a job with Harper’s Bazaar as a cover artist. Over 22 years, Erté created more than 240 magazine covers alongside his ongoing work in fashion design.
Extending his prolific career into theater sets, costumes, prints and lithographs, Erté became one of the most famous artists of the era. His style — a combination of the nature-inspired flourishes of Art Nouveau and bold, geometric linework — directly contributed to the birth of Art Deco, earning him the nickname “the Father of Art Deco.”
After a lull of creative production in the 1940s and 1950s, Erté reentered the public eye in the 1960s, when a renewed interest in Art Deco had taken shape.
Creating colorful lithographs, bold serigraphs (silk-screen prints) and bronze sculptures, he contributed to a resurgence of the style in France and beyond. This late-life acclaim for his art led to exhibitions in museums and galleries all over the world as well as his first published monograph in 1970. That same year he was awarded the title of Chevalier du Mérite Artistique et Cultural and in 1976 was named Officier des Arts et Lettres by the French government.
Today, Erté’s works are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and LACMA in Los Angeles.
On 1stDibs, browse a collection of Erté art, including fine art prints, paintings and other works.
Vintage Lalaounis 18K Yellow Gold Serpent Cuff Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This highly detailed Lalaounis serpent cuff bracelet is an iconic design, certain to be recognized as an item produced by this venerated house. Very lifelike in appearance and postur...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sterling Silver Snake Cuff Bracelet Double Headed Serpent
Located in Wallkill, NY
A large Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet made up of two snakes headed from battle..Face to Face, ready to strike. This is a very cool bracelet. Hallmarked sterling silver inside the cuf...
Sterling Silver
Snake Serpent Cuff Bracelet Opal Black Diamond Gold Plated J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
J Dauphin Opal Snake Cuff Gold Serpent Bracelet Black Diamond A sculptural Victorian style serpent cuff handcrafted in 14k gold plated brass, featuring a substantial, tapered archite...
Black Diamond, Opal, Brass, 14k Gold, Gold Plate
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Double Serpent Snake Cuff Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Twin Serpent Cuff Bracelet. From Kingdom Collection Twin Serpent Cuff Bracelet by David Webb, crafted in 18k yellow gold and set with cabochon rubies for ...
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Red Stone Zirconia Serpent Handcrafted Cuff Bracelet 925 Silver Animal Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
This Handcrafted Red Stone Zirconia with Diamond Serpent Cuff Bracelet 925 sterling silver, Beautifully designed in a serpentine wrap style, it features a striking arrangement of dee...
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
$28,000
W 0.82 in L 6.63 in
Fabulous Serpent Motif 18K Gold, Enamel and Diamond Flexible Cuff Bracelet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Created in 18K yellow gold, this highly detailed serpent is complete with flexible scales, fangs, and a long, forked tongue. The enamel scales start on the head in a burnt orange col...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Sapphire & Ruby Serpent Cuff Set In 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient”. Vintage Fancy Sapphire & Ruby Serpent Cuff Set In 18K Gold & Silver Bochic Serpent Fancy Sapphire & Ruby Ring Ruby Natural Pink Natural Sapphire Rose Natural Sa...
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sap...
$400 / item
W 0.81 in D 0.27 in L 2.2 in
Silvorra 925 Silver Double Headed Serpent Cuff Bracelet with Pear Zircon Eyes
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite 925 sterling silver Serpentis cuff bracelet features a sleek, coiled silhouette inspired by the elegance of a serpent. Adorned with numerous sparkling cubic zirconia s...
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
925 Solid Silver Green & Red Zircon Serpent Open Cuff Bangle Gift Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Green & Red Cubic Zirconia Serpent Cuff Bracelet 925 sterling silver, stunning bracelet showcases a captivating combination of vivid green and red stones, each set between dazzling c...
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
$43,850
Dm 2.25 in L 3.25 in
Wendy Yue 8.60 Carat Ruby and 16.05 Carat Opal Serpent 18 Karat Gold Cuff
By Wendy Yue
Located in New York, NY
With a fascination of exotic landscapes and wildlife, Wendy Yue's jewelry radiates opulence and whimsical characteristics with a wide range of color and deta...
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold
