These watches coming from his family illustrate the diversity of techniques used by this major figure of Art Deco. Jean Dunand worked the metal, hammering and engraving it with extreme precision using some 3,000 tools, often some he made especially for the task. From the 1920s, lacquer became his preferred material. “Since it was impossible to obtain one that was white, he broke up eggshells into tiny pieces that he positioned edge to edge and then covered them with transparent lacquer,” explains Sabrina Dolla, Art Deco specialist at Artcurial. The cracked and mottled effect obtained is incredibly refined.

Artcurial Art Deco auction – May 23^rd, 2017