1910s Art Nouveau Georges Pierre Egyptian Revival Scarab Brooch

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Georges Pierre was a French designer during the Art Nouveau era, renowned for his carved horn jewelry. Pierre would take … Read more Georges Pierre was a French designer during the Art Nouveau era, renowned for his carved horn jewelry. Pierre would take the horn of buffalo, cows, and goats, and apply a special treatment that gave the horn a beautiful translucence. He would then carve them into elegant, sculptural designs often inspired by nature, such as butterflies, flowers, and leaves. Georges Pierre’s biggest competitor and rival was designer Elisabeth Bronté, who also used horn as a medium. In the 1930’s, Pierre and Bronté shared a studio and eventually formed a partnership—famously turning from rivals to collaborators. The organic motifs of their work was highly desirable during the Art Nouveau era, and Georges Pierre pieces are a sought-after collectable today, each containing the signature GIP.

Circa 1910, this beautiful Georges Pierre brooch was made from horn exquisitely carved to look like an open-wing scarab. At its center, a glass cabochon suggests the body of the scarab. The turquoise-colored glass was made to emulate the stone, and was sourced from Czechoslovakia. It has beautiful patterning and coloration that compliments the brown hues of the horn. The elegant, high cabochon is held in place by four prongs. The open-wing scarab symbolizes birth, transformation, resurrection, and awakening.

The brooch measures 3 1/2” x 1/2”. It weighs 7.39 grams. The pin is brass. The back of the brooch contains Georges Pierre’s signature of GIP; because it is burned into the back of the horn, in some places, the signature is not fully burned in, due to the nature of the medium.

This piece was acquired from the estate of Whoopi Goldberg, who had a large collection of both Georges Pierre and Elisabeth Bronté’s work. See less