‘BELT’ NECKLACE

Maurice Labarte and Georges Lenfant

The jewellery in this collection bears the master’s mark of the Labarte workshop, with the exception of the ‘Ceinture’ bracelet, which is marked ‘Georges Lenfant’. They were consigned to us for sale by Maurice Labarte’s granddaughter. Mr Labarte, a jeweller and chainmaker, set up a workshop at his home in Seine-et-Marne in 1951 with his wife.
Soon, a single client’s orders enabled the workshop to expand and take on apprentices.
A partnership was established in the early 1960s with the company Georges Lenfant, for whom he produced bespoke jewellery exclusively for the great
Parisian fashion houses. During this period, manufacturing patents were registered in both their names. Production was substantial, and the workshop employed over 25 staff by the late 1970s.
The pieces we are offering reveal that the Labarte workshop produced, amongst other things, the famous ‘paillette’ jewellery.

The jewellery in this set bears the hallmark of the Labarte workshop, except for the belt bracelet, which is stamped Georges Lenfant. They were entrusted to us for sale by the granddaughter of Maurice Labarte. Mr Labarte, a chain jeweller, established a workshop with his wife in 1951 at their home in Seine-et-Marne.
A ‘single customer’ soon led the workshop to expand and train apprentices.
A partnership was formed in the early 1960s with the Georges Lenfant company, for which he produced exclusive ‘made-to-order’ jewellery for the major Parisian fashion houses.
During this period, patents were registered in both their names. Production was substantial, and the workshop employed more than 25 staff by the end of the 1970s.
The pieces we are offering demonstrate that the Labarte workshop produced, amongst other things, the famous “paillette” jewellery.