French jewelry designer Charles Jacqueau

French jewelry designer Charles Jacqueau
The name of the French jeweler Charles Jacqueau (1885-1968) is inextricably linked with the legendary Cartier brand. Before entering the world of high jewellery art, the young Jacqueau studied in the Bernard Palissy school and then at the school of arts and crafts. 24-year-old Charles began his career in the prestigious Cartier jewelry house in 1909 and worked there until his retirement.
In search of ideas for inspiration, the designer traveled extensively, including to Russia, where he studied the works of Faberge and admired Russian ballet. He immortalized his impressions of his trips in drawings and notes, which are now kept in the Petit Palais Museum in Paris. Called “the Picasso of jewellery design”, Charles Jacqueau was not only a talented designer, but also an innovative engineer. He developed intricate designs to transform and adjust the jewels. So, for example, a brooch could become a bracelet, and a necklace with pendants could be worn as earrings, a bracelet and a brooch. Feeling the influence of the Eastern Empire, he created decorations in the form of “garlands”, tiaras and necklaces in the Mongolian style. Thus, his creations move and live beyond the two dimensions drawn on paper.