Though the name Curtis Jeré is familiar to many as the maker of ebullient and eccentric modern design from the 1960s and ‘70s, relatively few are aware that it is a pseudonym for the design team of Curtis Freiler and Jerry Fels. Together, the two created some of the most striking and vivid furnishings and decorative objects of their era, from sculptures and dynamically framed mirrors, to lighting and wall decorations.
New Yorkers Freiler and Fels had collaborated for two decades on small jewelry lines before launching a design company called Artisan House in 1964. They combined variants of their names to create an artful persona — sometimes shortened to C. Jeré; the "surname" is pronounced with a rising inflection: jhayr-EH — that stood behind large-scale decorative metalwork, marked by semi-abstract petal forms with burnt and brazed edges. Fels served as head of design, and Freiler, known for his keen handiwork, was the production chief. The pair’s eclectic metalwork has captivated decorative art collectors and interior designers ever since.
The work of Curtis Jeré displays a sense of playfulness and curiosity, while drawing on inspirations and themes that include flowers, discs, geometric forms and animal figures. Freiler and Fels had a masterful ability to work with different materials, such as patinated brass and brilliant chrome.
The price of a Curtis Jeré mirror, lamp, wall-mounted sculpture or tabletop sculpture can range from $400 to $12,000, depending on the size, the rarity of the piece, the intricacy of the metalwork and the materials used in its construction. Other factors like condition can affect the perceived value and, thus, the cost of works by Curtis Jeré.
As you will see on 1stDibs, the imaginative powers of the designers of Curtis Jeré pieces were boundless, and their creations will add a dash of verve in any room.
Vintage Large Metal Wall Mounted Sailboat Sculpture
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Large Sailboat sculpture for wall Mount in mixed metal. A sailboat with a gray metal hull and iron sails and rigging. With projecting loops on the back for hanging. L. 33", H. 44" ...
Metal
Cased Ship Model of the Fishing Schooner "Bluenose“ Nova Scotia
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Finely crafted and minutely detailed two masted schooner in wood with a black painted hull and with string rigging, anchors, hatches, boats, barrels and some fine chains. The Scale i...
Wood
Modern Kinetic Metal Sculpture By Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An interesting Kinetic sculpture with a sinuous brass arm and attached long metal wires with balls on the ends. The entire piece turns on a brass plate mounted on a circular marble p...
Marble, Brass
Mid-19th Century British Yacht Half Hull Model "Vivid"
Located in Bridgeport, CT
2.44 yacht half hull model of a racing sloop. An 1840s-1850s "Plank on Edge" cutter half block hull with applied stem, keel and rudder. The deck with stubbed bowsprit, stub mast, and...
Wood
Large Antique Hand-crafted Ship's Half Hull Model Mounted On Backboard
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large, well made and hand-crafted Classic dark stained Half Hull Model. The Hull features prominent curved form and design, appearing sleek and with style. Half hulls historically were crafted and used by ship builders for the purposes of visualizing the form prior to construction. Dimensions: 59.25” Wide by 13” high by 6.5” deep. Condition: Please see detail photos. Various acceptable signs of age include a chip and loss to the outer frame of the back board on the top left corner, with scuffs and abrasions to the trim surround the moulding of the backboard. The ship half hull...
Mahogany
Antique Brass Clad Mahogany Ships Wheel
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique solid mahogany Ship’s Wheel with 8 turned spokes having good size and weight. The axle has an iron core and polished brass front cap on one side. Both sides of the wheel h...
Brass
1976 Curtis Jere Brass Wire Galleon Ship Sailboat Metal Sculpture Art
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Poised between abstraction and nautical biography, this Brutalist-era sailboat wall sculpture captures both movement and material poetry. The sail motif is rendered through sharp, to...
Metal, Brass
Monumental Curtis Jere Brass Sailboat Sculpture, Signed and Dated 1976
By Curtis Jeré
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Monumental Curtis Jere Brass Sailboat Sculpture, Signed and Dated 1976 Dimensions: 52″ W × 39″ H × 7″ D Signed: © C. Jere, 1976 A striking and monumental brass wire sculpture of a ...
Brass
Curtis Jeré Brass Mid Century Modern Sculptural Signed Sailing Boat
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Weesp, NL
A Rare Mid-Century Modern Masterpiece – Curtis Jeré’s 1976 Brass Sailboat Sculpture. Elevate your collection with this exceptional 1976 mid-century modern brass wire sculpture by C...
Brass, Iron
Mid Century Brass Wire Sailboat Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This large vintage brass wire sailboat sculpture is a striking mid-century piece, welded in the Brutalist style of Curtis Jere. Its intricate design captures movement and form, makin...
Brass, Wire
Curtis Jere Brass Wire "Schooner" Table Top Sculpture with Base, 1976
By Curtis Jeré, Artisan House
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Signed early version C. Jere 1976 Brass Wire Yacht Sculpture, Brass Sailboat Sculpture by Artisan House. Featuring a one piece three dimensional Sloop ...
Brass
1976 Curtis Jeré Brass Schooner/ Sailboat Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in North Miami, FL
C. Jere 1976 Brass Wire Yacht/ Schooner Sculpture by Artisan House. Featuring a one piece three dimensional Sloop in all Brass on a open footed and rectangular Brass base. Maritime. ...
Brass
