MATISSE by RENOIR Large Teal Blue Enamel on Copper Oval Link Bracelet, hotsell Vintage 1960s

AWAY FOR TWO DAYS - Please note that I will be away at a conference for a couple of days, and therefore your purchase will not be posted off until Wednesday Morning, 2nd November 2022.

Here is an unusual panel bracelet, beautifully crafted with deep teal-blue enamel on copper ovals, with very decorative copper links in between. The backs of the ovals seem to have been enamelled in clear enamel over the copper, so they are still nice and shiny.

This is quite a wide bracelet but is very short indeed, so slender wrists only !! This measures 17cms long x 3cms wide (only 6 3/4" x 1 1/4") and has a secure hinged clip fastening. This bears the famous script signature of Matisse, the jewellery brand created by Renoir, specifically for their enamelled range, in the early 1950s. This is very typical of the beautiful work created under the Matisse label, which seems to command slightly higher prices than the original, copper only Renoir pieces, probably due to their comparitive scarcity.

This dates from around the late 1950s - early 1960s, and is in lovely condition for its age. There is only one fault and that is that one of the little sticks is missing from the last but one link before the clasp end. Please see photo no 10. This does not really detract from the intrinsic beauty of this wonderful bracelet.

This would look great with anything with any shade of turquoise to teal blue in it. Like most Renoir and Matisse pieces, this is a very bold shape and the eye-catching copper metal against the deep teal blue of the enamel will put the finishing touch to a jeans and pretty top outfit for that get together down the pub !! Try this with any shade of green or blue, terracottas and browns, creams and oatmeal shades. This quite eye-catching and quite Autumn/Winter in feel and would suit any of these colours admirably well.

RENOIR
Among collectors of costume jewellery, copper is usually associated with Jerry Fels, who founded Renoir of California in 1946 and Matisse Ltd. in 1952. A Brooklyn native, Fels studied at the Arts Student League and the National Academy of Design before serving as a fighter pilot during World War II. Renoir produced copper jewellery from the mid 1940s until 1964. From the firm's Santa Monica, California workshop, the Renoir firm specialised in costume jewellery pieces with strong geometric, modernist, and abstract forms in copper. Fels took jewellery design in a new direction by integrating enamel designs into its existing lines. The new enamel pieces were produced under the Matisse label and were a big hit with celebrities, movie stars, and the Hollywood elite. Lana Turner and Betty Davis were just some of the big name celebrities that wore Renoir and specifically, Matisse pieces.

Renoir pieces took their inspiration from the Arts and Crafts era, when copper was a favourite of artisans producing hammered hollow-ware. Renoir was known for its solid copper cuffs, as well as its hinged bangles. Decorations on these pieces ranged from twisted strands of copper wire, mimicking the look of rope, to spring-like wire coils that were gently flattened and then polished to produce rows of what appeared to be semi-circular loops.