Georges Lenfant for Hermès: Creative and Sophisticated Jewelry

Among the antique and modern jewelry presented by Gros & Delettrez in Paris, this striking domed “Sea Urchin” brooch from the 1960s–1970s stands out. Crafted in yellow gold, with each of its spines chiseled and textured, weighing 21 g and estimated at €2,000–3,000, it bears the diamond-shaped hallmark of Georges Lenfant’s workshop for Hermès. The relationship between the master jeweler and the saddlery house began in the 1950s, when Hermès decided to develop a jewelry line. Lenfant would go on to create numerous pieces for Hermès featuring clean lines, combining elegant simplicity with sophisticated craftsmanship. While equestrianism—the brand’s DNA—remains a prominent theme, the zoomorphic brooches explore the full diversity of the animal kingdom, taking the form of bumblebees, fawns, does,