Jewellery, Watches, Antiquities and Objects of Vertu

A silver bracelet, by Grossé of Germany, 1970s, of bold design, with polished rounded links, clasp signed and dated 1973, with UK import marks for 1975, in signed pouch, bracelet length 19cm. £150-£200

In 1907, in the German goldsmithing town of Pforzheim, Heinrich Henkel and his brother-in-law Florentin Grossé established “Süddeutsche Gold-und Harrbijouterie-Fabrik Heinrich Henkel und Co” (South-German Gold and Hair Jeweller) specialised in producing jewellery and watch chain made of woven and plaited hair.
In the early 20th century, in tune with the times, Grossé began manufacturing avant-garde costume jewellery that combined art and technology. In the 1950s, Grossé began a successful partnership with Christian Dior, selling their costume jewellery in the Dior boutiques. In the early 1970s, influenced by the cool “space design” developed by Courrèges and Paco Rabanne, Grossé came up with bold creations, which marked a clear departure from the elaborate, naturalistic costume jewellery pieces of the sixties.