Born Romain de Tirtoff (1892–1990) in St. Petersburg, Russia, to an aristocratic family, the artist known as Erté — a pseudonym derived from the French pronunciation of his initials — was a Renaissance man of the art and design world. He worked in graphic arts, interior design, fashion, jewelry and set design for the stage and silver screen, becoming a leader of the Art Deco style.
Moving to Paris in 1912, Erté worked as a fashion designer under couturier Paul Poiret before securing a job with Harper’s Bazaar as a cover artist. Over 22 years, Erté created more than 240 magazine covers alongside his ongoing work in fashion design.
Extending his prolific career into theater sets, costumes, prints and lithographs, Erté became one of the most famous artists of the era. His style — a combination of the nature-inspired flourishes of Art Nouveau and bold, geometric linework — directly contributed to the birth of Art Deco, earning him the nickname “the Father of Art Deco.”
After a lull of creative production in the 1940s and 1950s, Erté reentered the public eye in the 1960s, when a renewed interest in Art Deco had taken shape.
Creating colorful lithographs, bold serigraphs (silk-screen prints) and bronze sculptures, he contributed to a resurgence of the style in France and beyond. This late-life acclaim for his art led to exhibitions in museums and galleries all over the world as well as his first published monograph in 1970. That same year he was awarded the title of Chevalier du Mérite Artistique et Cultural and in 1976 was named Officier des Arts et Lettres by the French government.
Today, Erté’s works are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and LACMA in Los Angeles.
On 1stDibs, browse a collection of Erté art, including fine art prints, paintings and other works.
$4,850 / item
Ralph Masri Arabesque Deco Gold Diamond Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt yellow gold ring with diamonds from Ralph Masri's Arabesque Deco collection, inspired by Middle Eastern patterns and motifs infused with an Art Deco touch. Available in yellow...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Magnificent Art Nouveau Plique-a-Jour Diamond Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
The extremely fine design & workmanship is typical of a René Lalique / Louis Aucoc creation. A superb example of the finest Parisian jewelers art from the ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$1,984Sale Price|20% Off
Tank Ring Surmonted Diamond Gold 18 Karat
Located in Vannes, FR
Discover the Tank ring in 18-carat yellow gold, a vintage piece that embodies the timeless elegance and retro charm of the 1940s/1950s. Topped with a magnificent 0.12-carat brilliant...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Two-Tone 14K Gold Art Deco Bypassing Diamond Ring, 0.9ctw, Size 9
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This exquisite two-tone 14K bypassing ring showcases a harmonious blend of yellow and white gold for a modern yet timeless look. The yellow gold band gracefully curves around the fin...
Diamond, 14k Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Art Deco 1.0 Carat Diamond Women's Rare Long Ring
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
This gorgeous, very rare Art Deco 14 karat yellow gold ring weighs 5.8 grams. It contains old European cut diamonds, mounted in a pave, bezel, and prong setting, with a carat weight ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,694Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Art Deco Style 18ct Gold Diamond Plaque Ring
Located in Portland, England
Attractive and elegant 18ct Gold Art Deco Style Diamond Plaque Ring. This beautiful ring is set with bright twenty four round brilliant-cut diamonds with migraine details around the ...
Diamond, Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond and Gold Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A mid-Century 18k gold ruby and diamond bombe bypass ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. This pretty fluted ring is set with 10 round brilliant cut diamonds weighing 0.65 cts in total. The s...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Giloro Fan Ring 18k Gold and Diamond Ring
Located in Mission Viejo, CA
This pendant and its matching ring are a perfect example of a designer, artist, and jeweler expanding their minds to consider something that has never been done before. They broke th...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Art Déco Ring With Old European Cut Diamonds Circa 1920's
Located in Firenze, IT
Art Déco ring with old cut diamonds , yellow gold, platinum. Marquise-shaped, milgrain-set, with old- and rose-cut diamonds (total approx. 0.38 ct). Bezel-set with two old-cut diamon...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1920 Art Deco 18kt yellow Gold & Platinum Diamonds Ring
Located in Aventura, FL
This beautiful geometric Art Deco ring, dating to circa 1910s–1920s, is finely crafted in 18K yellow gold with a platinum top. The design is set with 19 natural rose-cut diamonds wit...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
1980's Wide Diamond Statement Band Ring 14k Gold
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Circa 1980's. Really unique wide gold tapered band with an art deco style applique on the front. A really comfortable and wearable statement ring. In very good condition. Size: Appr...
Diamond, 14k Gold
David Yurman Roman Three Row Diamond Statement Ring 18k Yellow Gold
By David Yurman
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Uncommon David Yurman 3 row diamond ring. The gallant acts and finery of Roman knights inspired the design motifs in this 18k ring studded with sparkling white diamonds. This incredi...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Diamond White Gold Dinner Ring Circa 1930s
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Art Deco Diamond white gold dinner ring, circa 1930s. The Art Deco diamond white gold long dinner ring from the 1930s is set with 3 old round cut diamonds and two calibrated cut blu...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960's Transitional Cut Diamond Floral Statement Ring 14k Yellow Gold
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Exquisite sculptural, abstract floral design ring with a transitional diamond in the center. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is superb and feels so hefty and solid on the h...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Salt And Pepper Baguette Diamond Swirl Dome Ring
Located in South Pasadena, CA
1990s Salt And Pepper Baguette Diamond Swirl Dome Yellow Gold Ring. The Salt and Pepper Baguette Diamond Swirl Dome 14k Yellow Gold Ring from the 1990s is channel set with various g...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940's Transitional Cut Diamond Ring 14k Two Tone Gold
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Exceptional circa 1940's transitional cut diamond ring in a setting that's comfortable and suitable for everyday wear. Transitional diamo...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
