JEAN MAHIE for CARTIER Hammered 21K (916) gold bracelet with oval links and hook clasp. Monogrammed. French work of the 1980s. Length: 19.6cm approx. Weight: 28.6g A Jean Mahié bracelet Jean Mahié is the two-faced name of a great jewelry house: that of Jacline and her father-in-law Jean-Marie Mazard. Nothing seemed to predispose Jean-Marie, a multi-millionaire businessman and owner of Prénatal stores, to turn to this field. Nevertheless, he cultivated a passion for jewelry and finally decided to devote himself entirely to it at the dawn of his 60th birthday. Jacline, a sculptor, joined him, and this collaboration gave shape to Jean Mahié from 1969 onwards. 5 years and 15kgs of gold later, the House was a huge success all over the world. The jewels are unique, conceived as veritable sculptures, the 22K gold of which they are made marking their singularity. Louis Arpels noticed the work and offered to display a few pieces in the Place Vendôme showcases, as did Cartier later on. This tremendous publicity helped establish Jacline's reputation. Jacline finally settled in New York, while her father-in-law retired to Geneva. She developed her work, enriched her modes of expression and won the hearts of collectors, who did not hesitate to buy dozens of pieces from her. Her credo was to be a "gold smith" rather than a jewelry maker, each link struck with 100 hammer blows, more than a job, a priesthood in the service of art.