Jean Després

Jean Després (1889, 1980) was a pioneering French jeweler and silversmith renowned for his bold, geometric designs that fused Art Deco aesthetics with industrial and modernist influences. Trained as a goldsmith and deeply influenced by his friendship with Fernand Léger and other avant-garde artists, he created striking jewelry that referenced machine forms, gears, and architectural structures. His work is highly sought after at major auction houses including Christie's and Sotheby's for its innovative craftsmanship and distinctive modernist vision.