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12
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Auguste LION, Work from the second half of the 19th century
See original version (French)
12
-
Auguste LION, Work from the second half of the 19th century
See original version (French)
Estimate €6,000 - €8,000
Voluntary lot
Description
Auguste LION, Work from the second half of the 19th century
‘Serpent’ bracelet with multiple coils in 750‰ yellow gold with grooved articulated links; the reptile’s head is chiselled and set with a cushion-cut pink sapphire, rose-cut diamonds and cushion-cut rubies for the eyes.
Rectangular soldered plate inscribed ‘DEPOSE Ate LION’.
Adjustable wrist circumference (minimum 13 cm). Link width: 5.3 mm. Bracelet width: approximately 8 cm.
Gross weight: 49 g.
(Slight deformations, scratches and small chips).
Accompanied by an analysis report from the CGL (CARAT GEM LAB) dated 10 September 2026 (No. CGL36133) for its main stone, specifying: Natural pink sapphire.
Dimensions: approx. 5.7 x 4.2 x 3.5 mm.
Treatment: No thermal treatment observed.
Origin: Sri Lanka (Ceylon).
A speciality in its own right, the ‘chain’ was particularly popular during the Second Empire. Auguste Lion (1830–1895) was one of its greatest exponents. When he ceased trading in the 1880s, he donated his entire collection of jewellery designs created between 1859 and 1884 to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, comprising 648 different designs for bracelets and necklaces made of gilded copper.
In Jacques Lenfant’s iconic *Livre de la Chaîne*, Evelyne Possémé, curator at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, pays tribute to Auguste Lion and showcases several pieces from his collection, thereby highlighting Lion’s creative richness, the great diversity of his designs and his thirst for technical refinement – as evidenced by the patents registered in France and abroad.
Bibliography:
- LENFANT, Jacques, *Le Livre de la Chaîne*, Editions Scriptar SA, 1996, p. 139 ff.
- Various authors, edited by Marguerite de CERVAL, *Dictionnaire international du Bijou*, Editions du Regard, Paris, 1998.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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