Vintage Treasures: The Champagnat Bird Brooch

A captivating vintage Sixties brooch, originating from France, captures the essence of Mother Nature with its intricate bird of paradise theme. Crafted in 18K yellow gold, this exquisite piece by Jean-Claude Champagnat showcases remarkable craftsmanship, featuring delicate enamel work and adorned with rubies, emerald, and amethyst. Notably, 15 old brilliant cut diamonds add a touch of brilliance. The brooch exhibits very good condition and a charming detail—the tail gently moves when worn. With an esteemed history, this pieces from this master maker were featured in renowned exhibitions and graces collections including those of Sophia Loren and Farah Pahlavi.

Antique jewelry object group
brooch

Condition
very good condition
more info on our condition scale

Country of origin
France

Style
Vintage Sixties (of the twentieth century)
more info on styles

Style specifics
This type of jewelry is very specific for the Fifties and Sixties of the twentieth century. All sorts of animals were used as source of inspiration for the goldsmiths. Made in gold and decorated with enamel and precious stones, the result of their labour most of the times well-made, clever and cute.

Period
ca. 1960
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Source of inspiration
Mother Nature

Theme
bird of paradise

Material
18K yellow gold (touchstone tested)
more info on precious metals

Technique
An extra cute detail on this brooch is that the tail moves slightly when worn.

Extra information
Jean-Claude Champagnat was trained by his father, who also worked as a jewelery designer. Champagnat has also been apprenticed in various other workshops. From an early age Champagnat had learned from Jean Dubuffet that it was of the utmost importance not to conform to conventions. Champagnat was known as a loner. He had a studio at 25 Rue des Acacias in Paris (France).The groundbreaking 1961 exhibition, International Exhibition of Modern Jewelry, 1890-1961 at the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in London, United Kingdom, featured 12 rings and 2 brooches by Champagnat.

Champagnat's work in
Victoria and Albert Museum, London (United Kingdom) and in private collections of (among others) Sophia Loren and Farah Pahlavi

Champagnat at exhibitions (selection)
1961 "International Exhibition of Modern Jewelry, 1890-1961, Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, London (United Kingdom) (October 26th, 1961 "December 2nd 1961)

2020 "The Jeweller's Art - Revolutionary jewellery from the 1960s and 1970s", DIVA, Antwerp (Belgium (October 30th 2020 - March 14th 2021)

2021 "Simply Brilliant: Artist-Jewelers of the 1960s and 1970s", Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati (Ohio, USA) (October 22nd, 2021 - Februari 6th 2022)

2021 "Simply Brilliant: Artist-Jewelers of the 1960s and 1970s", Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim, Pforzheim (Germany) (March 27th, 2021 - June 27th 2021)

Diamonds
15 old brilliant cut and single brilliant cut diamonds (also called 8/8) with an estimated weight of ± 0.50ct colour and clarity F/I, vs/i

All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since stones are not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.
All diamonds we offer are screened by the I.J.G.C. for whether they are natural or synthetic, and all diamonds in this jewel are 100% guaranteed to be natural.

Precious stones
rubies, emerald and amethyst
It is a very common practice to treat gemstones to intensify their clarity or colour. The item in question has not been tested in this regard.

Birthstones
Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April, ruby for July, emerald for May and amethyst for February.
more info on birthstones

Signature
J.C.Champagnet (see pictures)

Hallmarks
The French control mark for 18K gold representing an eagle's head (that was in use in France from about 1838) and the French control mark for platinum representing a dog's head (that was in use in France from about 1912).
more info on hallmarks

Dimensions
width 4,47 cm (1,76 inch), height 9,00 cm (3,54 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
33,30 gram (21,41 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº
23129-0123

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

Additional information
our latest acquisitions
jewelry glossary
wall of fame
visit us in Antwerp
subscribe to our mailinglist