BOUCHER, MARCEL

Marcel Boucher – one of my favourite designers – was born in Paris but moved to New York in the early 1920s. He studied with Cartier. By the 1930s he was working for the Mazer Bros. In 1937 he set up his own company – Marcel Boucher and Cie. During WW11 – because of the shortage of metals – he switched production to Mexico and made jewellery in silver under the name Parisina. He died in 1965. His wife Sandra took over the company. The company became part of Davorn Industries in the early 1970s. In 1979 Davorn was sold to D’Orlan. D’Orlan continued to made the jewellery from the original moulds. In 1984 D’Orlan joined Nina Rici and continued to 2006. The jewellery is very good quality. He used diamante, enamels, animals, fruits, coloured stones, moving parts etc. I particularly like the diamante jewellery – which is quite exceptional. Pieces between 1942-49 may be marked with a Phrygian Cap. After 1955 there is a copyright symbol before ‘Boucher’. Thanks to ‘How to Buy Vintage Jewelry.com – Buying Guide to Vintage Marcel Boucher Jewelery’. To CW Collectors Weekly and to Wikipedia for this information.