Robert Goossens
French, 1927 - 2016
Robert Goossens (1927-2016), was a goldsmith, jeweler and designer of decorative objects and furniture, a master craftsman with a rare talent and a genuine passion for his art. In 1942, at age 15, Goossens began his career in Paris, serving an apprenticeship as a goldsmith at Bauer, a workshop for Cartier. There he learned and honed his exceptional skill, casting and working metals into fine jewelry and small objects with precious and semi-precious stones.
Goossens devoted time to studying the sumptuous jewelry and metalwork designs of Byzantine, Renaissance and medieval artisans. His unique creations, which he considered an alternative to traditional jewelry, offered a modern reinterpretation of historic styles, blending them into a spirit of luxury and bohemian spirituality. He designed and produced couture jewelry for Chanel, Rochas, Schiaparelli, and Balenciaga. Gabrielle Chanel, in particular, was a devotee of Goossens’ work. In addition to jewelry for the House of Chanel, for her unique costume jewelry combining fine metalwork with paste “jewels” and for her personal collection, she went on to commission furniture, chandeliers and mirrors from Goossens for her Paris apartment at 31 rue Cambon. Among the pieces Goossens designed and created were a waterlily pedestal table and a table with a wheat sheaf base, symbolizing prosperity, both of which are still present in the apartment. The collaboration continued right up until her death in 1971.
Cristóbal Balenciaga was another early patron, commissioning jewelry for his haute couture collections and chandeliers and mirrors for his atelier. Today, vintage Robert Goossens furniture and lighting is highly sought after by architects and interior designers; AD100 architect Peter Marino is an admirer of the work, which he has placed in private clients’ residences and in his redesign of CHANEL boutiques worldwide.
Robert Goossens
Silvered bronze turtle box by Robert Goossens, circa 1970
H 1.97 in D 4.72 in DIA 7.87 in
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Robert Goossens
Robert Goossens Water Lillies Crystal Chandelier for Cristóbal Balenciaga 1970s
H 48 in DIA 47 in
$ 125,000
Robert Goossens
Shell-shaped wall light in gilded bronze
H 10.24 in W 14.96 in D 6.69 in
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Robert Goossens
Shell-shaped wall light in brown patinated bronze
H 10.24 in W 14.96 in D 6.69 in
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Robert Goossens
Triple ribbon chandelier by Robert Goossens, France 1982
H 47.24 in DIA 47.24 in
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Sold
Robert Goossens
Water Lillies Crystal Chandelier, Robert Goossens for Cristóbal Balenciaga 1970s
H 48 in W 47 in D 47 in
$ 125,000
Sold
Robert Goossens
Rye table in gilded bronze and brass by Robert Goossens (1927-2016)
H 27.56 in DIA 35.43 in
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