Art Nouveau Opal Acer Leaf Brooch in 18ct Yellow Gold

A rare Art Nouveau French Opal plaque brooch set in 18ct Yellow gold by Grange. The rectangular open work Japanese acer leaf brooch from the Belle Époque period consists of a brushed and textured yellow gold, pinched, rectangular frame featuring an openwork arrangement of six intricately detailed acer leaves with a blue-green oval opal at its centre. An important artisan metal worker, jeweller and silversmith predominantly of the Art Deco period. Known for his monumental dinanderie works predominantly making vases & plates with geometric patterns. He fabricated jewellery from 1906-1961 & his designs were produced by the workshop of La Gerbe d'Or & G.A.M. where he was artistic director in the 1930's. At the Exhibition Coloniale 1931 he was awarded a grand prix as a creator of forms and in 1937 the French Government commissioned him to produce a work in solid silver. Grange also sold and exhibited his pieces in Paris through Jollet et Compagnie. He seems to have made a relatively small amount of jewellery and the pieces are very rare and sort after. An example of his work can be seen in the Musee de l'Ecole de Nancy.