HERMÈS Paris - Lot 110

HERMÈS Paris "Renard" lapel clip brooch in 750‰ chased yellow gold, its eyes set with faceted round sapphires. Pins in yellow gold 750‰. Signed "HERMÈS" and numbered "144 95". French work, diamond-shaped hallmark of the Atelier Maurice LABARTE. Dimensions: 3x3.6cm. P. Gross weight: 27.7g. Animal brooches from the Maison Hermès are particularly sought-after on the auction market. Partridges, ducks, bumblebees, mice, hinds and bird feathers were notably made by the Atelier Georges LENFANT. As our brooch was produced by Atelier Maurice LABARTE, the links between Atelier LENFANT and Atelier LABARTE deserve to be emphasized. Indeed, in the 1960s-1970s, the Atelier Georges LENFANT worked hand-in-hand with the Atelier Maurice LABARTE, asking it to produce parts as a subcontractor in order to increase its production capacity. Maurice LABARTE, an artisan jeweler and chain-maker, produced pieces exclusively for Atelier Georges LENFANT, notably using the "paillette" mesh process. Jacques LENFANT and Maurice LABARTE jointly registered several patents for manufacturing processes and new jewelry chains (notably for pressed mesh with an "optical" effect), underlining the dynamism and importance of their partnership.