A TWENTY-TWO KARAT GOLD NECKLACE, BY JEAN MAHIE, CIRCA 1970

Of "Cadene" design, set with twenty-two interlocking links of hammered gold, mounted in 22K gold, with maker's mark for Jean Mahie,...

A TWENTY-TWO KARAT GOLD NECKLACE, BY JEAN MAHIE, CIRCA 1970

Of "Cadene" design, set with twenty-two interlocking links of hammered gold, mounted in 22K gold, with maker's mark for Jean Mahie, French assay marks, length 43cm, approximately 131g total, with a book "Les créations de Jean Mahie" signed and inscribed by the artist

 

The genius behind the Jean Mahie brand lies with its founders Jacline Mazard and her father-in-law Jean-Marie Mazard. Originally a painter, Jacline also learned some metal work techniques at a young age. Her father-in-law Jean Mazard, an established business man, immediately recognised her artistic talent and saw an opportunity to harness these talents and set up a jewellery line.

Jacline has been quoted as saying The inspiration for all the pieces comes from everyday life - an interesting insight considering the apparent influences from Roman, Greek and Phoenician art that can be seen in the primitive gold figures often included in Jean Mahie pieces. Jacline grew up in Tunisia surrounded by Ancient Roman ruins; the influence of which is undeniable and creates an interesting juxtaposition of the Ancient and the Modern or everyday.

Just as Jacline and Jean-Marie refused any professional training from jewellery schools, their bold designs reject any modern techniques. Each piece is sculpted and hammered out by hand. Although this is a painstaking process, the result is beautifully crafted one-of-a-kind pieces.
Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier took a keen interest in Jean Mahie jewellery in its early stages and displayed their jewellery in their windows in Paris, however these relationships disintegrated when the larger brands expressed a desire to take over Jean Mahie and mass produce their pieces.
Years later Stanley Marcus, president and CEO of Neiman Marcus from 1950-1975 saw someone at a dinner party he was attending in New York wearing Jean Mahie jewellery and contacted the creators. Today Neiman Marcus are the sole retailers of Jean Mahie and they alone stock 1,000-1,500 Mahie pieces at a given time, which is incredible given that no two pieces are the same.

Since the creation of Jean Mahie in 1969, Jacline and Mazard have been crystal clear in their vision for their jewellery, emphasising the importance of craftsmanship and uniqueness qualities which have driven Jean Mahie to the heights of success. The craftsmanship and care that goes into each pieces is akin to the creative process of a work of art. Each piece is bold, defies trends and demands attention. There is no wonder why this jewellery is so highly coveted all around the world.

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