Rating and value of Lacloche jewelry

La maison Lacloche

Less well known to the general public than Boucheron and Cartier, the maison Lacloche was nevertheless one of the most prestigious jewelry manufacturers of its day. Today, it remains one of the most popular jewelry houses at auction. The history of Lacloche began in 1892 with a partnership between two brothers, Jules and Léopold. The company expanded over time, opening new stores, and consecration came in 1901 with the opening of the store on Rue de la Paix, right next door to chez Cartier. Promised a brilliant future, Lacloche experienced its golden age during the Roaring Twenties and was much noticed during the Universal Exhibitions, where it presented clocks, boxes, necklaces, bracelets and rings, each more sumptuous than the last. After the Second World War, the house was not to be outdone and continued to supply the greatest. It counts among its customers the most prestigious of the Indian princes, American actorsand wealthy noblewomen from Europe, following the example of a commission carried out bythe iconic Grace Kelly. The Lacloche boutique closed in 1967, but left high jewelry lovers with a flamboyant memory. Lacloche jewelry is thus highly sought after at auction. 

Lacloche jewelry at auction

Pieces from the Lacloche House at auction often realize significant prices. It has to be said that the house's work is highly qualitative. Thus, for the art deco period, Lacloche specializes in making boxes, cigarette holders, sautoir necklaces, brooches, bracelets in white gold and platinum, set with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires but also more original materials such as onyx, jade, moonstones, coralin compositions of extreme refinement. The house is renowned for its strongest expertise in working with stones, and calls on specialized artists to design its jewelry. Later pieces are also sought-after at auction, like a modernist bracelet designed in 1937, which sold for over 120,000 euros in 2018 and has the highly amusing specificity of being modifiable to the whim of the wearer (the house supplied a set of modular cabochons in coral, turquoise, sapphire and citrine)

Style and technique of the Lacloche house

Lacloche is a Parisian house active mainly between the late 19th century and the 1930s. It is a major player in the Place Vendôme haute joaillerie scene, renowned for an aesthetic that is at once erudite, cosmopolitan and innovative.

The house occupies an intermediate position between French jewelry tradition and international openness. There is no single, fixed style; the house integrates and masters several languages, including neo-Classism, Orientalism, Byzantine and Russian influences and emerging Art Deco.

Lacloche jewelry is thought of as a field of formal experimentation, with an assumed inspiration from ancient and extra-Western arts. It is a skilful reinterpretation of historical forms, without archaeological pastiche.

In the iconography, we often find Byzantine crosses and symbols, interlacing, scrolls and orientalist geometric motifs. The ornamentation was structured and hierarchical.

The compositions are rigorous and balanced, and often symmetrical, with an architectural construction of the jewel. Overall legibility remains important despite the decorative richness.

Lacloche jewelry is designed to be worn as prestigious, sometimes ceremonial objects. They have an assumed weight and presence, offset by a precise technical balance. Wearability was considered, but not a priority over visual effect.

From 1910 - 1920, there was a gradual simplification of forms, increased geometrisation and a partial abandonment of historicist references, with the adoption of an early Art Deco language, sober and graphic.

Why sell your Lacloche jewelry at auction ? 

The support of an auctioneer in the appraisal and sale of Lacloche jewelry at auction is necessary. The rarity of these pieces requires in-depth expertise and additional library research. The auctioneer will be assisted where necessary by a gemological expert who studies the stones and guarantees the quality of the object. In this way, the Lacloche jewelry auction provides the owner with a showcase for his object, publicity and a solicitation of his buyer network to sell the piece at the best possible price.

Lacloche jewelry at auction

Pieces from the maison Lacloche en sale at auction often achieve significant prices. It has to be said that the house's work is very qualitative.

Thus, for the Art Deco period, Lacloche specialized in the creation of boxes, cigarette holders, sautoir necklaces, brooches, bracelets in white gold and platinum, set with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires but also more original materials such as onyx, jade, moonstones, coral in compositions of extreme refinement.

The house is renowned for its cutting-edge know-how in working with stones and calls on specialized artists to design its jewelry.

Later pieces are also sought-after at auction, like a modernist bracelet designed in 1937, sold for over 120 000 euros in 2018 and having the very amusing specificity of being able to be modified according to whim (the house supplied a set of modular cabochons in coral, turquoise, sapphire and citrine).

Recognizing authentic Lacloche jewelry

Lacloche jewelry is necessarily signed, hallmarked and marked with a serial number. Counterfeits do exist, so expertise is essential in order to sell your jewelry.

Know the certain value of your jewel   

If you happen to own a Lacloche jewel or think you might, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using our form on our website.

A member of our team of experts and licensed auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your item, as well as any relevant information about it.

If you wish to sell your work of art, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account the inclinations of the market.