ARP auctions designer jewelry

The new Auction House ARP (ART RESEARCH PARIS), initiated by couple of collectors Jean-François and Marie Coudert, focuses on modern and contemporary art as well as on the art of living. It has already made its mark, presenting a fine selection of 200 pieces from contemporary designer jewelers at its very first auction, on February 10, 2022. This first auction wonderfully illustrates the creativity of the French, Belgian and Swiss schools thanks to the work of talented jewelers such as Jean Vendome, Fernand Demaret, Gilbert Albert and many others. There are pieces we have already seen either in museums or at the beautiful exhibition on Jean Vendome last year.

1. A first auction dedicated to Designer Jewelers

The expert Jean-Norbert Salit, member of the French Syndicate of Professional Experts in Works of Art, perfectly describes this profusion of magicians of creation as he calls them. I couldn’t resist quoting him, the depiction being so beautiful and accurate:

“The collection being offered to you is a true manifesto. Each of the jewels defends an ideal freed from commercial contingencies, thus allowing the artist jeweler to present a bright and poetic world. A manifesto which allows you to discover works that noticeably move from arts and crafts to simply Art. No considerable diamonds, no Burma rubies, no Kashmir sapphires – just man-made beauty. Jean Vendome thus advocates the implementation of rare minerals on abstract forms, worthily followed by his son Thierry Vendome, upholding the principles of the French school. The abundant Belgian school presents the extravagant, futuristic world of Fernand Demaret, which was overtaken by the interstellar race and advances in electronic machines. Gilbert Albert occupied the Swiss scene by offering a botanical and animal world reinterpreted with his curiosity and the use of rare materials. I mentioned a shift, but another movement has often taken place from the studios of well-known artists, most often having already elected sculpture as an urgent priority, and transposing their vision to the world of jewelry through a form of miniaturization. Alicia Pénalba, Roselyne Granet, Parvine Curie, Claude Mercier and Philippe Hiquily give a magnificent account of this family of “artists’ jewels”. Fred Lalaounis, Goudji, Tiffany and watch manufacturers that knew how to distance themselves from the classic atmosphere of their time also establish themselves very well. The title of “DESIGNER JEWELERS” which has just been chosen to present this set brings together all these families of creators. I wish art lovers to take as much pleasure as I did when discovering all these beautiful objects gathered over several decades.”

We have selected the following pieces, which we think are interesting to collect or simply wear. We liked the originality of the pieces, with opals, amber and intriguing materials. In addition to Jean Vendome’s magnificent necklaces, two beautiful Santa Maria aquamarines, as well as beautiful watches from Piaget, Chopard or Vacheron Constantin, have caught our eye. You can view the catalog here.

2. ARP, a 3.0 online auction house

ARP is a new auction house initiated by aesthetes and founded by recognized experts, such as design expert – and until recently director of the decorative arts department at Tajan – Jean-Jacques Wattel, auctioneers Leslie Marson and Frédéric Delobeau (also auctioneer in Amiens and Abbeville), Doctor of Art History Rémi Lambert, as well as Romain Monteaux-Sarmiento, former communications manager at Tajan.

ARP is an auction house in search of freedom, agility and modernity, with a younger and more digital approach to communicate, educate and make art more accessible. A cultural enterprise based on research and the promotion of Art and creation, which values know-how and craftsmanship.

Indeed, ARP also wishes to offer, beyond auctions, an immersion into a sometimes complex cultural world by offering cycles of exhibitions and conferences that will showcase both works of art and characters with inspiring journeys.

It is also an auction house with great know-how, thanks to the quality of its team acting as the expert eye which selects the work and approach of well-known or lesser-known artists including innovation, intention, quality of execution, potential and sensitivity, which can make the works remarkable for art lovers. It is a kind of permanent tribute to imagination and a generous appeal to wonder.

It is a meticulous expert who carries out all necessary research work in an academic spirit, to identify the subtlety of the precursor or to grasp the fullness of the master. An expert who, following the inherent criteria of the work, and its position in the art market, will carry out the finest promotion work directed to both passionate and novice buyers, all in the same quest for art, beauty and aesthetics.

We are delighted to have been asked to showcase them in this auction and will carefully follow the journey of this house which honors creation, as we have been able to observe during this first auction that sheds light on contemporary jewelry creation.

We invite you to go see this beautiful and quite unique collection before February 10, 2022, to maybe buy a piece or just for enjoyment. The team is charming and welcoming.