Rating and value of Jean Dunand's works of art, furniture and vases

A versatile artist, Jean Dunand (1877-1942) distinguished himself as a sculptor, coppersmith, painter and cabinetmaker. Passionate about artistic experimentation, Dunand devoted his entire life to it. His extraordinary career is a testament to his genius and the breadth of his output. The artist's popularity in today's market is a testament to the enthusiasm his works arouse among collectors, defying time and trends.

If you own a work made by the artist Jean Dunand or based on his work and you want to know its value, our experts and auctioneers approved by the State will guide you. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and will provide you with an accurate estimate of its value on the current market. Subsequently, if you wish to sell your work, we will direct you to the best possible device to obtain an optimal price.

Artist's rating and value

Thanks to his success at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, Jean Dunand established himself as a safe bet on the art market during his lifetime. In recent years, the artist's popularity has continued to evolve positively. Very present on the French and American markets, the most sought-after works by Jean Dunand are the large coffee tables in eggshell lacquered wood, vases and bas-reliefs. Thus, an object signed Jean Dunand can reach millions of euros, as evidenced by his architectural pieces in lacquered wood "Les Palmiers" smoking room, from the residence of Mademoiselle Colette Aboucaya, sold for more than 3 million euros at Philips London in 2021.

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

The artist's creations and style

Throughout his career, Jean Dunand's artistic output was very prolific and varied. His works stand out for their innovative use of lacquer, their diversity of forms, their sense of composition and their meticulous execution. They reflect a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, and testify to his status as an exceptional artist in the field of decorative arts. 

In addition to his lacquer work, Jean Dunand was a talented ironworker. His pieces of furniture and decorative metal objects are cratered by geometric shapes, clean lines and harmonious combinations of materials such as bronze, ivory and exotic wood. 

With a very luxurious style, Jean Dunand's creations reflect the opulence of the interwar period. Intended for a wealthy clientele, his works showed a meticulous aesthetic and great refinement.

The Life of Jean Dunand

Jean Dunand was born in 1877 in Switzerland. Quickly noticing her son's artistic talent, his mother enrolled him in the École des Arts Industriels in Geneva. A promising student, the young boy flourished and won several prizes.

Already noticed, Dunand carried out orders placed by the city of Geneva.

In 1897, he obtained a scholarship to continue his apprenticeship in Paris. Staying with one of his parents, he was hired by a modelling company as an apprentice chiseler. This position gave him the opportunity to work on major projects such as the Alexandre III bridge. After a stint at the Arts-Décoratifs, Dunand founded with two of his friends the "Association of Swiss Artists in Paris".  

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Jean Dunand's career experienced a significant acceleration. He participated in numerous exhibitions and collaborated with Jean Dampt on various projects. After the great success of his copperware, Dunant decided to specialize in the decorative arts. In the early 1910s, his bronze vases with various motifs were the cause of his success.

Always on the lookout for new experiments, Jean Dunant met the Japanese master lacquerer Seizo Sugawara in 1912. Already practicing this technique a little, Sugawara trained him entirely in the art of oriental lacquerware. Lacquer then became an essential characteristic of his creations, influencing his style and work. Dunand therefore expanded his range of objects using lacquer, ranging from large decorative panels to lacquer portraits of personalities, including those from the fashion industry.

Jean Dunand died in 1942, leaving behind a significant mark in the history of the decorative arts.

His signature

Not all of Jean Dunand's works are signed.

Although there are variations, here is a first example of its signature:

Appraising your property

If you are the owner of a work by Jean Dunand, do not hesitate to request a free evaluation by filling out our online form. A member of our team, made up of experts and licensed auctioneers, will contact you to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your Dunand work.

If you're thinking of selling your work, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price, taking into account market trends and the specific features of each item.