Louis Rousselet vintage costume jewelry
Louis Rousselet vintage costume jewelry
The history of French jewelry brand owned by Louis Rousselet (1892-1980) began in 1922 in a Parisian suburb of Menilmontant. Born in Paris, eight-year old Louis joined Monsieur Rousseau’s apprenticeship, where he had mastered the bead making technique for several years.
Having started the production of glass and Galalith beads, he made magnificent pearls imitating natural ones, using a special technology. The basis of such pearls was glass beads covered with d’Orient essence, a composition of fish scales. Handcrafted and meticulously polished, these beads in a wide variety of colors and styles allowed the designer to create exquisite brooches, earrings, sautoirs, pendants and necklaces. Within three years, Louis was able to expand the business, hiring about 800 workers and successfully selling his beads all over the world.
Moreover, his high quality beads have become material for other designers around the world. Success was not long in coming. Many stars of that time acquired his brilliant jewelry. In particular, famous dancer and jewelry lover Josephine Baker. Casino de Paris and Moulin Rouge, as well as clients of such couturiers as Chanel, Pierre Balmain and Robert Piquet admired Louis Rousselet jewelry art.
In 1943, Luis’s daughter Denise joined the family business, and even opened her own store “Jeanne Danjou” (named after her mother). Creating her own unique collections, she established herself as a talented designer. When Louis retired in 1965, she took over the business. Her son also worked in the company. Noteworthy, she stopped producing pearls, but continued to produce glass beads until the last skilled worker retired. The company ceased to exist in 1975.
Louis Rousselet vintage costume jewelry
Traditionally unmarked, most jewelry pieces were accompanied with hallmarked paper tags. However, some items were marked “Made in France” or the initials LR, for example on the clasp.