Design for Jade Earrings

Erté (Romain de Tirtoff) French, born Russia

1932

Not on view

Jewelry has always held a pivotal place in Erté’s dazzling designs for musical-theater productions, but the artist also tried his hand at creating pieces to be worn in daily life. In the period after the stock-market crash of 1929, in particular, Erté sought out collaborations with fashion houses to supplement his income. This design for a jade earring, which does not require pierced ears, shows how he combined classic materials with innovative solutions to form and function. Although it is unclear for whom Erté designed this line of jewelry, the works stand out for their modern aesthetic and ingenuity.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Design for Jade Earrings
Artist: Erté (Romain de Tirtoff) (French (born Russia), St. Petersburg 1892–1990 Paris)
Date: 1932
Medium: Gouache and metallic paint
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Purchase, The Martin Foundation Inc. Gift, 1967
Object Number: 67.762.13
Rights and Reproduction: © 2025 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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