Édouard-Aimé Arnould Art Nouveau Dragonfly Necklace

Artistic jewelers in gold and silver, Maison Arnould's workshop was located at 7 rue Racine in St. Germain, not far from the Jardin du Luxembourg. As its name would suggest, the street was associated with the literary community. During the late 19th century, poets like Verlaine and Rimbaud gathered in the Hôtel Des Étrangers at no. 2, and publishers' premises, including Flammarion's at no. 26, were located here and in surrounding streets. The Arnould workshop collaborated with various artists including the Austro-Hungarian sculptor Alois Reinitzer, winner of a bronze medal at the 1900 exposition for his work as a medallist; Monolo Hugue, who moved in the circles of Picasso and Gaugin; and Alphonse Mucha. Alistair Duncan's book on the Paris Salons records that, in 1903-1904, Arnould exhibited jewelry at the Societe Nationale des Artistes Francais, yet was listed there as an "editor" (presumably "editeur" in French, better translated as publisher). The research of Jean-Jacques Richard has revealed that, beginning from before his work as a goldsmith, Arnould was also a publisher of first edition graphics and posters, and also produced at least one known catalogue of the firm's jewelry, beautifully illustrated by the artist Antonio de la Gandara. Though Arnould registered in 1899 for a maker's mark/punch, featuring AA flanking a thistle, their jewelry is often signed with the Maison name in block letters. More original research on Arnould may be found at M. Richard's blog: https://www.richardjeanjacques.com/2014/10/aime-arnould-ou-edouard-aime-arnould.html