Marcel Boucher
Encyclopedia
Marcel Boucher was a French
jeweller. In the early 1920s, he moved to New York City
where he developed a passion for jewellery design
, studying under Pierre Cartier
as an apprentice. By the 1930s, he was working for Mazer Brothers. However, in 1937 he decided to establish his own company, which he called Marcel Boucher and Cie.
Boucher had always used white metal
in his pieces, but the entry of the USA in World War II
meant that metal was scarce. At that point, Boucher began using silver in his work, even moving to Mexico
for a brief stint to utilize the silver there.
His pins were often made to look 3D
, sometimes with several layers.
) took over her husband's company. The company was made a subsidiary sometime between 1970-1972 of Davorn Industries.
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
jeweller. In the early 1920s, he moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
where he developed a passion for jewellery design
Jewellery
Jewellery or jewelry is a form of personal adornment, such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.With some exceptions, such as medical alert bracelets or military dog tags, jewellery normally differs from other items of personal adornment in that it has no other purpose than to...
, studying under Pierre Cartier
Pierre Cartier (jeweler)
Pierre Camille Cartier was a French jeweler. He was one of three sons of Alfred Cartier and the brother of Jaques Cartier and Louis Cartier...
as an apprentice. By the 1930s, he was working for Mazer Brothers. However, in 1937 he decided to establish his own company, which he called Marcel Boucher and Cie.
Costume Jewellery by Boucher
Jewelry by Boucher is almost always signed (meaning a marking signifying authenticity was put on the piece) and has an inventory number on it somewhere. Some of the earliest marks say 'Marboux' or 'MB.'.Boucher had always used white metal
White metal
The white metals are any of several light-colored alloys used as a base for plated silverware, ornaments or novelties, as well as any of several lead-base or tin-base alloys used for things like bearings, jewellery, miniature figures, fusible plugs, some medals and metal type.Some of the metals...
in his pieces, but the entry of the USA in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
meant that metal was scarce. At that point, Boucher began using silver in his work, even moving to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
for a brief stint to utilize the silver there.
His pins were often made to look 3D
Three-dimensional space
Three-dimensional space is a geometric 3-parameters model of the physical universe in which we live. These three dimensions are commonly called length, width, and depth , although any three directions can be chosen, provided that they do not lie in the same plane.In physics and mathematics, a...
, sometimes with several layers.
Boucher's Death
In 1965, Boucher died, and his wife Sandra (who had worked for Harry WinstonHarry Winston
Harry Winston was an American jeweler. He donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958 after owning it for a decade, and traded the Portuguese Diamond to the Smithsonian in 1963.-History:...
) took over her husband's company. The company was made a subsidiary sometime between 1970-1972 of Davorn Industries.