Georges Fouquet

In Paris, Fouquet joined his father in the family business in 1891.^[1] He took over the running of the company in 1895.^[3] In 1900, he opened a new jewelry shop at 6 rue Royale in Paris, designed by the illustrator Alphonse Mucha.

In 1900, Fouquet was featured at the Exposition Universelle in Paris.^[4] His collaboration with Mucha was prominently showcased, unveiling a highly theatrical line of jewelry characterized by intricate enamel work, natural motifs, and the innovative use of materials like ivory, mother-of-pearl, and gemstones. This collection became an iconic representation of the Art Nouveau style.^[5][6]

Fouquet was a fantasist, and while his creations can be associated with the Lalique school, it is not due to imitation, but rather his imaginative talent. His work is often complex and holds a foremost place in the Art Nouveau movement.^[7] Contrary to Lalique but like Henri Vever, Fouquet expressed himself through more synthetic geometric forms.^[8][9]

He also designed jewels for French actresses such as Sarah Bernhardt.^[8] His work can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art,^[10] the Victoria and Albert Museum,^[11] the Petit Palais.^[12] The interior of Fouquet's shop is preserved at the Carnavalet Museum in Paris.^[13][14] In 1984, a major exhibition of three generations of the Fouquet Jewellers was made by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris; the exhibition was then shown at the Rietberg Museum in Zurich.^[2]