
Cocktail Ring Signed by Pierre Sterlé Set with Diamonds
View Similar Items
Cocktail Ring Signed by Pierre Sterlé Set with Diamonds
About the Item
- Creator:
- Ring Size:7.25 US, Resizable
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Weight:20.1 g
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950's
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- Reference Number:Seller: 315751stDibs: LU45816291542
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.
You May Also Like
Vintage 1950s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s French Aesthetic Movement Fashion Rings
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1950s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, White Gold