Rating and value of Jean Dunand's vases

If you own a work by or based on the artist Jean Dunand and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will be happy to advise you. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on the current market. Thereafter, if you wish to sell your work, we will guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.

Artist's rating and value

By his success at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, Jean Dunand established himself as a sure value on the art market from his lifetime. In recent years, the artist's reputation has continued to grow. Very much in evidence on the French and American markets, Jean Dunand's vases are among his most sought-after works. A vase signed by Jean Dunand can fetch thousands of euros at auction, as demonstrated by his stretched shell ovoid vase from 1962, which fetched €180,000 whereas it was estimated at between €50,000 and €80,000, more than three times the low estimate.   

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

The artist's works and style

Throughout his career, Jean Dunand's artistic output was prolific and varied. From paintings to vases, the artist produced in many different media. His works stand out for their innovative use of lacquer, diversity of form, sense of composition and meticulous execution. They reflect a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, and testify to his status as an outstanding artist in the decorative arts.

Jean Dunand, famous 20th-century coppersmith

Jean Dunand was born in Switzerland in 1877. Quickly noticing her son's artistic talent, his mother enrolled him at the École des Arts Industriels in Geneva. A promising pupil, the young boy flourished and won several prizes.

Already attracting attention, Dunand completed commissions for the city of Geneva.

In 1897, Jean Dunand won a scholarship to continue his apprenticeship in Paris. Lodging with one of his relatives, he was hired by a modeling company as an apprentice chiseler. This position gave him the opportunity to work on major projects such as the Alexandre III bridge. After a spell at the Arts-Décoratifs, Dunand and two of his friends founded the "Association des artistes suisses à Paris".

At the beginning of the 20th century, Jean Dunand's career underwent a notable acceleration. He takes part in numerous exhibitions and collaborates with Jean Dampt on various projects. After the great success of his dinanderies, Dunant decided to specialize in the decorative arts. In the early 1910s, his bronze vases with a variety of motifs were the ransom of his success.

Always on the lookout for new experiments, in 1912 Jean Dunant met Japanese master lacquerer Seizo Sugawara. Already an amateur practitioner of the technique, Sugawara trained him entirely in the art of Oriental lacquer. From then on, lacquer became an essential feature of his creations, influencing his style and his work. Dunand thus expanded his range of objects using lacquer, from large decorative panels to lacquer portraits of personalities, including those from the fashion industry.

Jean Dunand died in 1942, leaving behind him a significant mark on the history of the decorative arts. 

Jean Dunand's imprint on his period

Jean Dunand left a considerable imprint on his era. Excelling in the decorative arts and coppersmithing, he was a role model for generations of artists after him. His works are highly prized on the auction market, particularly for his vases, which sublimate an interior; they are always highly prized and their value soars.

His signature

Not all of Jean Dunand's works are signed.

Although there are variations, here is a first example of his signature:

Expertise your property

If you own a work by Jean Dunand, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in our online form. A member of our team of experts and licensed auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of the market value of your Dunand-signed work.

If you're considering selling your work, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price, taking into account market trends and the specific features of each object.