During the roaring ’20s, Paris saw a confluence of wealthy and creative people flock to the city from all over the world, like artists, writers, princes and singers. Designer Georges Mauboussin understood the vibrant and cosmopolitan spirit of the time, and at the jewelry house he would propel to fame, Mauboussin, he became an iconic creator of Art Deco jewelry, using jade, lapis lazuli, pearls and other precious materials imported from around the globe.
The Mauboussin brand owes its success to expertise with precious metals and gems and its illustrious clientele. The fine jewelry house, originally founded in Paris in 1827 as the Maison Noury, is known for being highly experimental with mountings for diamonds, finding inspiration in fields like aeronautics (Georges’s son Pierre Mauboussin got into the airplane engineering business in the late 1920s) and filing patents for many of its inventions.
This modern sensibility drew royal clients from the Middle East and Egypt (Queen Nazli owned several dazzling pieces), as well as Hollywood stars like Marlene Dietrich and Charlie Chaplin. However, its most significant royal relationship was with the stylish maharaja of Indore, Yashwant Rao Holkar II, who designated Mauboussin as his official purveyor in 1933. One of the maison’s legendary pieces for the maharaja is a necklace that uses two of the world’s most beautiful diamonds, the Indore Pears, part of the maharaja’s collection.
In its long history, Mauboussin has found creative and beautiful ways to incorporate the tastes of the time into its luxury jewelry, responding to movements like Cubism as well as crises like the Great Depression when it shifted to more affordable pieces that would be available to a larger audience. (From 1936 to 1953, Mauboussin also partnered with Trabert & Hoeffer to stay afloat following the Wall Street crash.) In the 1990s, the company expanded into perfume and watches. Galeries Lafayette acquired a majority stake in the company in 2019 with the jeweler continuing to showcase a dedication to its French heritage with an international approach to design.
Find a collection of vintage Mauboussin rings, necklaces and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
French 1960s 117 Diamonds Platinum River Necklace
Located in Poitiers, FR
Necklace in platinum, dog head hallmark. Antique platinum necklace, it is formed of geometric settings in fall and articulated between them....
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
French 1928 Boucheron Diamonds Fine Pearls Necklace
By Boucheron
Located in Poitiers, FR
Necklace consisting of 4 rows of round pearls white orient, in fall. Two platinum spacers with openwork floral designs are set with rose-cut and antique brilliant-cut diamonds, all in millegrain setting. The clasp, ratchet with safety "8", is in 18 karat white gold, eagle head hallmark and also adorned with 2x7 rose-cut diamonds. Presented in an antique case marked Boucheron inside and embossed on the top "Liliane 20-27 May 1928". Diameter of the pearls : from 2/2,5 mm to 2,5/3 mm approximately. Fine pearls certified by the French laboratory of gemology. Width of the patterns : 15,5 mm approximately, height : 12,5 mm approximately, thickness : 2,3 mm approximately. Length : from 33 cm approximately to 36,5 cm approximately. Necklace recommended for a neck measuring about 33 cm in circumference. Authentic antique jewel - French work circa 1928. Our opinion : This type of antique...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold...
French 20th Century Silver Long Necklace
Located in Poitiers, FR
Antique necklace in silver, ram head hallmark. Long and rare antique silver necklace made of a breguet chain. It has a clasp with spring ring to wear it in several rows. Total length...
Silver, Sterling Silver
French, 1970s Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Pendant and Chain
Located in Poitiers, FR
Pendant in 18 karat white gold, eagle head hallmark. Timeless white gold pendant, it consists of a slightly domed disc adorned with modern brilliant-cut diamonds that is held to a cl...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
French 20th Century 18 Karat Yellow Gold Drapery Necklace
Located in Poitiers, FR
Necklace in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head and rhinoceros hallmarks. Antique gold necklace called drapery, it is constituted of 5 triangular openwork lines patterns, of small pearled garlands, ribbons and palm pattern. The patterns are separated by a small tassel and knot-shaped links. The chain that holds the whole is formed of elongated openwork and beaded patterns. The clasp is a spring ring. Width of the set of patterns : 14.5 cm, height of patterns : 11.7 mm. Length of the necklace : 45.5 cm, width of the chain : 3 mm. Total weight of the jewel : 14,3 g approximately. Authentic antique jewel - French work of the beginning of the XXth century. Our opinion : Feminine, these antique drapery...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
French 1980s Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Chain Necklace
Located in Poitiers, FR
Necklace in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. This feminine vintage necklace features a filed curb chain with a spring ring clasp. On the front, a cascading motif is created...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K White Gold 5.4ct Diamond Link Necklace, Circa 1970s
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Each link takes the shape of an X, densely pavé-set with round brilliant diamonds so the metal nearly disappears under an unbroken run of small, bright facet; the eye reads a continu...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique French 8.50 Carat Diamond, 9k Gold and Silver Necklace Circa 1860
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique French 8.50 carat diamond, 9 karat gold and silver necklace; part of our diverse diamond jewelry collection. This stunning, fine and impressi...
Diamond, White Gold, Silver
Mid-Century 48 Carat Diamond Platinum Necklace, Circa 1950s
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A continuous vine of diamonds wraps the neck in this necklace, marquise and pear-shaped stones forming leaf-like clusters along straight baguette "stems" that give the whole piece a ...
Diamond, Platinum
Edward Platinum 18K White Gold Diamond Necklace
Located in Flushing, NY
A diamond necklace constructed in platinum over 18-karat yellow gold and designed as an articulated foliate garland. The graduated front section centers an openwork floral pendant wi...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
French 18K Yellow And White Gold 32.00 Carat Diamond Necklace
Located in New York, NY
French 18K Yellow And White Gold 32.00 Carat Diamond Necklace. This French-made diamond necklace is a true masterpiece, featuring a stunning combination of round and marquise cut di...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 18K White Gold Collar Necklace with 5.5 Carat Round I-SI Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Video: Video Link Detailed Description: This stunning necklace showcases a minimalist and edgy design, crafted in 18 Karat white gold. The piece features a striking combination of ro...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
