Born Romain de Tirtoff (1892–1990) in St. Petersburg, Russia, to an aristocratic family, the artist known as Erté — a pseudonym derived from the French pronunciation of his initials — was a Renaissance man of the art and design world. He worked in graphic arts, interior design, fashion, jewelry and set design for the stage and silver screen, becoming a leader of the Art Deco style.
Moving to Paris in 1912, Erté worked as a fashion designer under couturier Paul Poiret before securing a job with Harper’s Bazaar as a cover artist. Over 22 years, Erté created more than 240 magazine covers alongside his ongoing work in fashion design.
Extending his prolific career into theater sets, costumes, prints and lithographs, Erté became one of the most famous artists of the era. His style — a combination of the nature-inspired flourishes of Art Nouveau and bold, geometric linework — directly contributed to the birth of Art Deco, earning him the nickname “the Father of Art Deco.”
After a lull of creative production in the 1940s and 1950s, Erté reentered the public eye in the 1960s, when a renewed interest in Art Deco had taken shape.
Creating colorful lithographs, bold serigraphs (silk-screen prints) and bronze sculptures, he contributed to a resurgence of the style in France and beyond. This late-life acclaim for his art led to exhibitions in museums and galleries all over the world as well as his first published monograph in 1970. That same year he was awarded the title of Chevalier du Mérite Artistique et Cultural and in 1976 was named Officier des Arts et Lettres by the French government.
Today, Erté’s works are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and LACMA in Los Angeles.
On 1stDibs, browse a collection of Erté art, including fine art prints, paintings and other works.
$12,500
French Art Deco Temple Ring
Located in Riverdale, NY
French Art Deco Temple Ring in 18k gold rubies and diamonds. Incredible tiered design with stones set platinum petals unfurling over each level. Very high style Art Moderne design an...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Jewel of Ocean Estate Enamel and 18K Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Jewel Of Ocean Estate Cocktail Enamel Ring 18K Yellow Gold & Enamel and Approx. 0.5 Carats Near Colorless VS1 Diamonds Ring Size: 4.25 Retail Price $15,...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
French, 1925s, Art Deco Sapphire Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. Magnificent Art Deco ring, its setting presents an original shape closed set in the center of a round sapphire of an intense blue, underlined by rose- cut diamonds and two curves of smooth gold. On either side of the head, two rose-cut diamonds are set in an openwork diamond pattern. Weight of the sapphire : 1.04 carat approximately. Height : 16.1 mm, width : 11.8 mm, thickness : about 5 mm, width of the ring at the base : 1.9 mm. Total weight of the jewel : 3,4 g approximately. Antique jewel - French work of the years 1925. US Size : 7 ; Free resize, please contact us. Our opinion : An original and characteristic line for this Art Deco sapphire diamond ring. The history of this jewel : this beautiful antique engagement ring...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
La Nouvelle Bague 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring with Enamel and Semi Precious Stones
By Nouvelle Bague
Located in New York, NY
This magnificent 18 karat yellow gold ring is designed by the world renowned Italian company La Nouvelle Bague. They are known for their exquisite enamel work, and their unique sig...
Amethyst, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1960s White Gold, Diamond and Oval Ruby Ring
Located in Cattolica, IT
A 1960s-era vintage ring handcrafted in 18kt white gold. Composed of a plain band at the bottom and a floral-patterned top. Set in the center is a ruby with a vivid and intense red c...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Art Deco Solid Gold Unisex Ring Handmade From 1930's Multi-Color
Located in Long Beach, CA
UNISEX RING STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Handmade Ring METAL / MATERIAL: 10Kt. Solid Gold Yellow and Rose CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's SIZE: 10.25 This great looking unisex ring is entirel...
10k Gold
Sophia D. 18K Yellow Gold Ring
By Sophia D
Located in New York, NY
18K yellow gold ring with sapphires. Sophia D by Joseph Dardashti LTD has been known worldwide for 35 years and are inspired by cl...
Yellow Gold
Ladies Antique 18K Yellow Gold GIA Old European Filigreed Enamel Engagement Ring
Located in Houston, TX
Gender: Ladies Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold Size: 6.5 Shank Maximum Width: 11.00 mm tapering to 1.70 mm Weight: 3.60 grams Ladies filigreed 18K yellow gold diamond antique...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel
French Art Deco Cabochon Sapphire and Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a striking three-stone statement ring crafted in France during the early stages of the 20th century. This warm 18ct yellow gold piece showcases a rectangular shaped face...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
18 Karat Baguette and Round Diamond Cabochon Sapphire Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
18 Karat Baguette and Round Diamond Cabochon Sapphire Ring Sophisticated and full of class! 18k yellow gold ring 6.6 grams all handset This is a beautiful cabochon sapphire three sto...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Carrera y Carrera Yellow Gold and Gem set Hand Ring
By Carrera y Carrera
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2000 Carrera y Carrera 18k Yellow Gold Hand Ring, a signature of this Artist Jeweler, the hand measures approximate 1 inch in length has a light brushed finish, set with Diamon...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Yellow Gold Signet Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1900 - 1920 14k Yellow Gold Signet, the top measures 1/2 x 7/16 inch, heavily chased sides of the ring depicting Lions and ready for engraving, weighing 8.7 Grams and is a fing...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Memorial Memento Gold Enamel Hair and Gem Set Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1880s Victorian Memorial, Memento 15 Karat Yellow Gold Ring, Measuring 4 M.M. wide, intricately detailed with woven Hair within the ring, furt...
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique Gold Platinum and Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1910 Platinum top and 18k yellow Gold Ring, set with two old Mine cut Diamonds totaling 1.50 Carats and further set with several Rose cut Diamonds, the Diamonds grade as H in C...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Henry Dunay Gold Platinum and Diamond Free Form Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2000 Henry Dunay 18k Yellow Gold and Platinum Ring, having a free form flowing design the top of the ring measures 7/8 x 1/2 inch and weighs 11 Grams. Nice Sold construction wi...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
David Webb Yellow Gold and Platinum Gem Set Tiger Ring
By David Webb
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2000 David Webb 18k Yellow Gold and Platinum Tiger Ring, the top of the ring measures 7/8 x 1/2 inch, the top is set with numerous Round Brilliant cut Diamonds totaling approxi...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th-century designer Andrew Grima upended tradition with his avant-garde aesthetic.
Although positively oozing red-carpet glamour, the Hollywood legend had a penchant for costume jewelry.
