MEETING WITH EVELYNE POSSÉMÉ

Meeting with Évelyne Possémé at the Museum of Decorative Arts

The Museum of Decorative Arts Possesses a collection of jewelry ranging from antiquity to the present day. Esprit Joaillerie met its chief conservator, who oversees this wonderful heritage.

How do you become a curator of the Jewelry Gallery?

After my studies, I had the chance to do an internship at an antique store; I was immediately drawn to its jewelry showcases. Entry Museum of Decorative Arts, I had to present the entire collection of jewelry from the museum, which was then on reserve, to a curator of the British Museum who was working on the recent Donation by Anne Hull Grundy. It was a revelation, and I decided to write my thesis for the university on the collection of jewelry given by Henri Verver, a memory that I defended in December 1985. In parallel, I assisted the conservator of drawings in the preparation of the Fouquet exhibition that took place in 1983. I could read the stamps and already knew the techniques of jewelry making. Connecting these technical knowledge to the study of the drawings and the research was a culmination. A year later the project of the Jewelry Gallery. It took until 2004 for the Museum to finally present the treasures of jewelers and goldsmiths. 20 years, a long wait, but a great achievement.

What is your favorite period in jewelry history?

I like all periods of jewelry. However, the Art Nouveau period has a special resonance for me, because I started by studying the Henri Vever collection. Following this donation in 1924, the Museum of Decorative Arts Possesses one of the most beautiful representations of French jewelry from the 19th century. The greatest jewelers of the time are represented, including François-Désiré Froment-Meurice, Alexis and Lucien Falize, Simon Petiteau, Jules and Louis Wièse, Frédéric Boucheron, René Lalique…

What is your favorite jewelry?

A pendant, the one by René Lalique «L'Aiglon».
It’s a wonderful story. I saw it for the first time at a fair in London, without being able to give it an exact provenance; its style was atypical for Lalique… Time passes and two years later, visiting the L’Arnaga villa in the Basque Country, I discover a drawing depicting Rosemonde Gérard (poetess, wife of Edmond de Rostand and friend of Sarah Bernhardt) wearing this pendant! I immediately tried to find the pendant that had been sold. A few years later, it was put up for sale again at Christies, It was an unforgettable moment; there were many Lalique jewels and merchants there. Museum of Decorative Arts She was able to acquire this famous René Lalique pendant that had been bought by Sarah Bernhardt at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1900. It was presented to Rosemonde Gérard, a poet and wife of Edmond de Rostand who had just written the play for her. The Aiglon the role that Sarah Bernhardt played in 1900 and which was one of her greatest successes.

What is your favorite stone?

An amethyst is cut into a cabochon shape. I love the color and this size makes it even more sensual.

What music do you listen to?

Jazz and also Baroque music.

A book you haven’t forgotten?

« I’m the one who underlines »by Nina Berberova.".

What does the Art Deco period represent?

A reaction to Art Nouveau is strong. We can clearly distinguish these two periods: Art Nouveau and Art Deco. The year 1910 is a transition to Art Deco, to modernity.
Art Deco is geometric; one could almost say that the art of geometry gave birth to design.

The Museum of Decorative Arts Possesses one of the most beautiful collections in the world of decorative art from this period and this style that originated in France.

Any upcoming exhibition you would like to create?

On jewelry, maybe...

A visit is required Museum of Decorative Arts for all lovers of jewelry.

Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris
107 rue de Rivoli 75001 Paris

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