About Mauboussin brand
The history of Mauboussin rooted in 1827, despite all the historical events that were shaking France those years. The House was called Maison Noury, with Jean-Baptiste Noury being a head of the company. In 1880 Noury’s nephew, Georges Mauboussin, started to work for the firm as an apprentice. Nine year later he took over the control of the company.
From the start Mauboussin’s success was challenged by his competitors, established companies Mellerio and Wièze and upcoming Cartier and Boucheron. During the Roaring Twenties Mauboussin was using jade, shellac and colored stones carved in India. Those unconventional materials brought him a great success embodied in multiple major international awards. Celebrities were often wearing the Maison’s jewelry for their high-end magazine photoshoots. That brought fame to Mauboussin jewelry in the artistic and glamorous world.
In 1936 Mauboussin and the New York jeweler Trabert & Hoeffer became partners. They opened their stores across the United States. Among Trabert & Hoeffer-Mauboussin’s clients were Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich and Paulette Godard.
In the 1950s one of the most influential designers René Lacaze often set the jewelry trends. Since a lot of his designs were made for Mauboussin, the pieces of the latter became widely popular. It were a celebration of the colored stones, turquoise, coral and bright enamel.
A few decades later this openness to new approaches and materials resulted in the Nadia ring. The name came from “nacre” (pearl in French) and “diamant”. Being authentic and universally understood, the ring quickly gained its popularity.
In 1994, Mauboussin started making watches under the moto “Combining Swiss technical expertise with French creativity.” Mauboussin watch collections feature an extensive design range, from sprots models to evening wear pieces.
Until today the House of Mauboussin stays independent. Over 200-year-old jewelry brand created close relationship with its clientele. Due to a deep understanding of the clients’ request the maker can respond to the modern demanding lifestyle with a strong soulful vision.
About French Jewelry
Vintage French jewelry is highly valued by jewelry experts and enthusiasts. Since the late Renaissance, France has been established itself as one of the world trendsetters in art and fashion. A quick look at the Top Five French jewelry designers — Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Hermes, Chaumet, Chanel — describes French level of greatness even better.
What allowed France to reach such a high level in the jewelry world hierarchy? In a nutshell, it’s because of the apprenticeship system. In the beginning of 1950s in France anyone at the age 14 could start learning the craft. This way French jewelers, like no others in the world, gain a substantial portion of experience at the early age. Even non-designer jewels were produced by the high skilled masters.
Modern jewelry is not handcrafted anymore, and mass market-oriented production is prevailing. Jewelry designs are streamlined to use as less hand labor as possible. That’s why today vintage French jewelry is in such high demand. Nadine Krakov Collection offers the most desirable vintage jewelry online made by French experts.
