In a captivating exhibition, the enigmatic and reclusive French master jeweler, André Chervin, renowned for supplying the world’s most prestigious brands, is stepping into the limelight as his own artistic creations take center stage in New York.
Chervin, now 95 years old, remarked, “This collection represents a lifetime of work.” Speaking to the New-York Historical Society, he added, “I was able to choose myself what to make, and when, and exactly how I wanted them. I was free from the constraints that naturally come when you are manufacturing for a customer’s order.”
Born in Paris in 1927 to a Jewish family, Chervin received his training at the esteemed Haute Ecole de Joaillerie in the French capital. In 1951, he emigrated to New York, where he co-founded the Carvin French atelier with aspiring French jeweler Serge Carponcy. Armed with $2,000 and unwavering determination, their atelier became a trusted source for jewelry, serving iconic names like Tiffany and Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, and Bulgari over the decades.
Chervin is known for his reclusive nature, avoiding public attention and interviews. His daughter, Carole Chervin, who serves as the vice president of the atelier, explained, “This exhibition was never envisioned by my father. In fact, it was not easy for me to convince him that there even should be an exhibition. He’s a very private man, humble, modest. He did all of this work, as I said, as a passion… he wasn’t seeking publicity.”
The exhibition will showcase a breathtaking array of jewelry, including brooches, bracelets, rings, and earrings adorned with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, gold, and silver. Additionally, it will feature remarkable decorative art pieces crafted by Chervin’s small workshop, which continues to operate.
Noteworthy among these treasures is “My Heavy Heart,” a boudoir lamp featuring a citrine heart mounted on an 18-carat gold wheelbarrow overflowing with colored diamond flowers. Another masterpiece, “The Frogs’ Rubies,” is a bedside lamp crafted from ruby slabs. A strawberry bush, complete with red coral fruits and nephrite leaves, also graces the exhibit.
These objects, never before displayed outside of Chervin’s New York residence, reveal the jeweler’s profound connection with nature. Debra Schmidt Bach, the exhibit’s curator, noted, “He’s a great admirer of nature.”
For six decades, André Chervin has helmed Carvin French, and his ability to identify and nurture talented artisans has been a defining trait. Many of these artisans hail from around the world, forming a diverse and skilled team.
Carole Chervin highlighted the role of New York in her father’s success, stating, “The reason we were able to attract such a wonderful roster of jewelers, lapidaries, and artisans is because it was in New York. It was a veritable United Nations of talent, as my father says.”
