Rating and value of Jean Dunand's works of art, furniture and vases

A versatile artist, Jean Dunand (1877-1942) distinguished himself as a sculptor, coppersmith, painter and cabinetmaker. Passionate about artistic experimentation, Dunand devoted his entire life to it. His extraordinary career testifies to his genius and the scope of his production. The artist's current market value testifies to the infatuation his works arouse among collectors, defying time and trends.

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 guide 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. Highly represented on the French and American markets, Jean Dunand's most sought-after works include large coffee tables in eggshell lacquered wood, vases and bas-reliefs. Thus, an object signed by Jean Dunand can fetch millions of euros, as evidenced by his architectural pieces in lacquered wood "Les Palmiers" smoking room, from the residence of Mademoiselle Colette Aboucaya, adjudged at over 3 million euros at Philips London in 2021.

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

The artist's creations and style

Throughout his career, Jean Dunand's artistic output was prolific and varied. 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 field of decorative arts. 

In addition to his lacquer work, Jean Dunand was a talented ironworker. His metal furniture and decorative objects are characterized by geometric shapes, clean lines and harmonious combinations of materials such as bronze, ivory and exotic wood. 

Luxurious in style, Jean Dunand's creations reflect the opulence of the interwar period. Aimed at a well-to-do clientele, his works testified to a meticulous aesthetic and great refinement.

The life of Jean Dunand

Jean Dunand was born in 1877 in Switzerland. 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, he 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 founds the "Association des artistes suisses à Paris" with two of his friends. At the beginning of the 20th century, Jean Dunand's career accelerated significantly. 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 cause of his success.

Always on the lookout for new experiments, in 1912 Jean Dunant met Japanese master lacquerer Seizo Sugawara. Already practicing the technique to some extent, 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.

His signature

Not all of Jean Dunand's works are signed.

Although there are variations, here's 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.