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.
Egyptian Revival Gold-Filled Enamel Serpent Bangle Bracelet, Antique
Located in Monroe Township, NJ
A striking antique Egyptian Revival serpent bangle, crafted in gold-filled metal and designed as a coiled snake—an enduring symbol of protection, eternity, and rebirth. The flexible...
Gold-filled, Enamel
$135Sale Price|20% Off
Ornate Filigree Panel Statement Cuff Bracelet, 1940s
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Collectible costume jewelry piece from the '40s - 7.5" length - 1.9" width - Brass - Faux pearls - Faux turquoise, onyx and red jasper cabochons - Fold over clasp closure - Ethnic Asian jewelry...
Edwardian Diamond Emerald Bangle Snake Bracelet Silver 14K Gold American 1900s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Edwardian Diamond Emerald Bangle Snake Bracelet Silver Top 14K American Gold 1900s 27.1 gram Acid tested 14K Gold, Silver top Outer diameter; 2.5 inch by 2.25 inch, with 1/4 inch T...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Silver
Antique 14K Gold And Jeweled Articulated Snake Bracelet
Located in Norwood, NJ
Art Deco jeweled 14k gold, diamond, Jade and amethyst enameled and articulated bracelet in the form of a snake. 8 rose cut diamonds. Jade and amethyst cabochons with multicolored en...
Amethyst, Jade, Gold, Enamel
Sandor Art Deco Compact Bracelet
By Sandor
Located in New York, NY
Unusual Sandor Art Deco Compact Bracelet made in the 1930's with a jeweled face. Pastes in emerald, topaz, aqua and citrine are elaborately set onto t...
Brass
Antique Snake Bracelet Double Head and Body 18k, 1880s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This gorgeous snake bracelet is unusual as it is a double serpent/snake head and body. This bracelet is from the 1880's and boosts 1 Sapphire on its heads, one red and the other blu...
White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage LANVIN Art Deco Rhinestone Rigid Cuff Bracelet
By Lanvin Paris
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage LANVIN Art Deco Rhinestone Rigid Cuff Bracelet Measurements: Height: 0.59 inch (1.5 cm) Inner Circumference: 7.48 inches (19 cm) opening included Features: - 100% Authentic LANVIN. - Gilt rigid bracelet/ cuff with rhinestone accents at the centre. - Gold and silver tone hardware. - Signed LANVIN GERMANY...
$200Sale Price / item|50% Off
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
Art Nouveau French Snake Bracelet Covered Dial Watch
Located in Firenze, IT
Period: 1910-1919 Provenance: France Circumference: 18 cm Weight: 126 gr Il bracciale in oro 18 carati è stato realizzato tra il 1910 e il 1919, in perfetto stile Art Nouveau, un mo...
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$200Sale Price / item|50% Off
W 0.27 in D 0.81 in Dm 2.3 in L 2.2 in
Silvorra 925 Silver Snake Inspired Cuff Bracelet with White & Green Cubic Zircon
Located in New York, NY
This striking cuff bracelet from Silvorra is expertly crafted from 925 sterling silver and adorned with a luxurious blend of white and green cubic zirconia stones. The open cuff desi...
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
