Vintage Hermes George L'Enfant Chain d'Ancre Sterling Silver Link Bracelet

• Vintage Hermes George L'Enfant Chain d'Ancre Woven Link Bracelet
• 8" length, .5" width.
• Stamped Hermes, Double Crab stamp (French Silver Assay mark from 1838-1962) on back of clasp, "Made in France" and the poinçon de maître (makers mark) stamped on the clasp tongue.
• 97% silver, XRF verified. Weighing 78 grams.
  
• Secured with a box clasp and figure 8 safety catch.
• Original aging intact, however if requested we can polish it upon purchase. 

Known as one of the finest Jeweler's of the 20th century, Georges L’Enfant was widely admired for his workmanship and innovative designs. His atelier forged collaborations with a lengthy list of illustrious jewelry houses, including Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Hermès, to name a few.

L’Enfant was born to a family of jewelers and goldsmiths. He served several apprenticeships and studied jewelry-making in Paris and abroad as a youth. He later returned to France and set up his own workshop around 1900.

At his Paris shop, at 47 Rue des Petits-Champs, L’Enfant became known for his elegant diamond rings, finely crafted gold jewelry and vivid gemstone bracelets and drop necklaces. He registered his maker’s mark in 1909, and in 1915, L’Enfant’s 11-year-old son Jacques joined the business.

In 1927, goldsmith and jewelry manufacturer Gustave-Roger Sandoz sold his company to L’Enfant, provided Sandoz’s son Gerard could retain his role as creative director. With Gerard, L’Enfant produced an extensive series of art moderne jewelry. 

Following World War II, Jacques took over his father’s company and continued to use the Georges L’Enfant maker’s mark. Throughout the 1950s, the business collaborated with Vacheron Constantin on a luxury watch line. The brand enjoyed long-established partnerships with Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Hermès and René Boivin, among others.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Jacques designed a collection of chain bracelets, link bracelets and link necklaces, many of which featured delicate braiding. From that point on, braided and link-style pieces became the L’Enfant company’s signature and remain highly collectible items among jewelry connoisseurs today. In 2003, the Georges L’Enfant brand ceased production after the firm Bouder took ownership in a buyout, making its existing baubles even more covetable.