Claude Wesel for Fernand Demaret Studio : a 18ct gold and opal pendant

Fernand Demaret was a Belgian goldsmith based in Brussels. He is considered one of the pioneers in modern jewellery art.

His grandfather was a watch maker and his father was a jeweller.

The early Demaret production showed the influence of pre-Columbian civilization which had always fascinate him.

His wife Madame Liliane Nathalie Mosselmans introduced him to her friend André Lamy, a former student of the « Ecole des Métiers d'Art de Maredsous » who was creating beautiful modern abstract jewellery which inspired Fernand Demaret to turn to his style. 

In 1961 he offered to André Lamy, to work in his workshops as well as to Claude Wesel and later to jeweller Bernard François (1968 - 1970’) as well as Michel Louette, Jean Pierre Laloux and many others great jewellers.

They form the « Demaret workshop » « Groupe Atelier Demaret », which, for ten years, allows young artists to experiment their creativity with precious materials. Their association was the first real opening in Belgium to the commercial sector to modern jewellery. By using the lost wax technique, he was able to combine different elements into an abstraction while still creating a baroque style. 

Most of his jewels are Unique pieces

Réf : Dictionnaire international du bijou, Ed du Regard - Bijoux Belges Contemporains, Ed Mardaga - http://www.bijoutierdemaret.be

Picture : Fernand Demaret and his wife Liliane Nathalie Mosselmans  (© Thierry Demaret)