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Lot Essay
Robert Goossens designed and produced this chandelier circa 1970; the original design is believed to have been commissioned by Chanel.
Goossens was born the son of a metal worker in Paris in 1927, his father's profession undoubtedly influencing his choice of career as a jeweller. Goossens served a jewellery apprenticeship before founding his own Parisian atelier in 1950. He clearly showed significant promise from the off as only three years later he would receive the first of many commissions from Coco Chanel - this was to be the beginning of a long and fertile relationship between Goossens and that most illustrious of fashion houses, which saw the production of magnificent jewels that still resonate today. This relationship would continue long after the death of Coco Chanel in 1970, ultimately resulting in the Goossens firm becoming a subsidiary of Chanel in 2005. Whilst primarily a jewellery house Goossens has long produced sumptuous, rich, jewel-like objects such as the chandelier offered, however their unique quality and finesse of design owes far more to the craft of the jeweller than that of the bronzier.
A Goossens chandelier of this design presently hangs in Chanel's Beverly Hills boutique.
Goossens was born the son of a metal worker in Paris in 1927, his father's profession undoubtedly influencing his choice of career as a jeweller. Goossens served a jewellery apprenticeship before founding his own Parisian atelier in 1950. He clearly showed significant promise from the off as only three years later he would receive the first of many commissions from Coco Chanel - this was to be the beginning of a long and fertile relationship between Goossens and that most illustrious of fashion houses, which saw the production of magnificent jewels that still resonate today. This relationship would continue long after the death of Coco Chanel in 1970, ultimately resulting in the Goossens firm becoming a subsidiary of Chanel in 2005. Whilst primarily a jewellery house Goossens has long produced sumptuous, rich, jewel-like objects such as the chandelier offered, however their unique quality and finesse of design owes far more to the craft of the jeweller than that of the bronzier.
A Goossens chandelier of this design presently hangs in Chanel's Beverly Hills boutique.