his work 1975 to the present - laurence de...

LAURENCE DE VRIES

HIS WORK1975 TO

THE PRESENT

LAURENCE DE VRIES

2©

2006 De Vries Studios

JEWELRY

OBJETS D’ART

DRAWINGS

SCULPTURES

PRESS

CV

COMMISSIONS

LAURENCE DE VRIES

3©


JEWELRY

LAURENCE DE VRIES

4©


Jewelry designed by Laurence De Vries is unmistakably powerful. The fullest expression of this is found in his pins, which is where each collection takes shape. He draws from a rich visual vocabulary of symbols drawn from astronomy, antiquity, mythology, military pageantry and royalty, and reimagines them into bold, protective shields and personal talismans for the modern day wearer.

De Vries moved from his native Paris to the United States in 1974 and by the following year was represented by some of New York’s leading galleries including Aaron Faber Gallery and Sculpture to Wear. When Robert Lee Morris opened Artwear in the late 70s – a movement, which put wearable art at the center of fashion – De Vries was one of the featured jewelry designers and this groundbreaking venue propelled his career for more than decade.

From 1975 to 2000, the jewelry of Laurence De Vries was crafted primarily in brushed textured sterling silver with 18 kt. gold accents. Drawn to gemstones with a rich storied past, De Vries inlayed his pieces with black coral, red coral, white coral, black onyx, mother of pearl, ebony, African amber and antique tortoise shell recovered from Victorian artifacts. In the late 1990s, De Vries forged a new direction in his collections; the assertiveness in design remained, but a shift in scale emerged as he began working in 18 kt. gold, precious gemstones and 22 kt. gold accented with diamonds.

LAURENCE DE VRIES

5©


BRACELET & PIN

SILVER, 18KT. GOLD, RED,

BLACK, & WHITE CORAL

1980

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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PIN

SILVER, BLACK ONYX, ANTIQUE IVORY, RED CORAL1983

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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PIN

SILVER, ANTIQUE IVORY, EBONY

1984

LAURENCE DE VRIES

8©


CHAIN BRACELETS

SILVER & 18 KT GOLD1986

LAURENCE DE VRIES

9©


BRACELETS

SILVER & 18KT GOLD 1992

LAURENCE DE VRIES

10©


BRACELETS & PINS

SILVER & 18KT GOLD VICTORIAN

ANTIQUE TORTOISE

SHELL INLAID 1990

LAURENCE DE VRIES

11©


BRACELETS & PINS

SILVER & 18KT GOLD VICTORIAN

ANTIQUE TORTOISE

SHELL INLAID 1990

LAURENCE DE VRIES

12©


SILVER & 18KT GOLD1994

CUFFLINKS

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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RINGS


LAURENCE DE VRIES

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RINGS


LAURENCE DE VRIES

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DOMED RINGS

BRUSHED SILVER & 18 KT GOLD1999

LAURENCE DE VRIES

16©


EARRINGS & PIN

SILVER & 18 KT GOLD1992

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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PINS & EARRINGS

SILVER, 18KT GOLD & RUBY1992

LAURENCE DE VRIES

18©


CUFFS EARRINGS

& RINGS

SILVER & 18 KT GOLD,

1993

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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BRACELETS & RINGS

SILVER &18 KT GOLD,

1993

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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SILVER, 18 KT GOLD, MOTHER OF PEARL, BLUE ONYX, VICTORIAN

ANTIQUE TORTOISE SHELL & BLACK ONYX

1993

PINS

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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RINGS

18 KT GOLD & DIAMONDS 1993

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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22 KT GOLD, PRECIOUS &SEMI PRECIOUS STONES

2002

NECKLACE, PENDANTS & EARRINGS

LAURENCE DE VRIES

23©


PENDANTS EARRINGS

18 KT GOLD DIAMONDS &

PRECIOUSSTONES

1996

LAURENCE DE VRIES

24©


PENDANT& CHARMS

18 KT GOLD & DIAMONDS

2000

LAURENCE DE VRIES

25©


22 KT GOLD & DIAMONDS 2001

NECKLACEBRACELET

& RINGS

LAURENCE DE VRIES

26©


PINS

MOTHER OF PEARL 18 KT GOLD RUBY, EMERALD & DIAMOND

1980

LAURENCE DE VRIES

27©


PIN

WHITEYELLOWROSE &GREEN18 KT GOLD DIAMONDS &EMERALD 1999

PIN

18 KT GOLD AMETHYST 1999

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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PENDANT & RING

18 KT GOLD EMERALDS, RUBIES & DIAMONDS

1986

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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PIN

WHITE & YELLOW 18 KT GOLD SHAGREEN

1995

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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SCULPTURES

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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Influenced by a love for astronomy and the laws of physic, sculptures were initially abstract and kinetic. Over time, De Vries’ interest in history and mythology emerged in figurative sculptures of legendary leaders and triumphant warrior men and women.

Produced from 1980 to 2005, the materials included clay, mixed media, marble and bronze. Size and scale varied from twenty inches to life-size busts.

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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GALAXY

EBONYGRANITE

CRYSTALMARBLES

GOLD LEAFGRANITE

BASE1985

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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ASTRONOMY

EBONY, ANTIQUE IVORY, STERLING SILVER

1985

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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ASTROPHYSICS

STERLING SILVER

18 KT GOLDBELGIUM

BLACK MARBLE25” HIGH

1986

LAURENCE DE VRIES

35©


THE WARRIORS

ANTIQUE IVORYCRYSTAL & PETRIFIED TUSK

STERLING SILVER & 18 KT GOLDBLACK MARBLE

18” HIGH1986

LAURENCE DE VRIES

36©


VICTORY

CARVED ANTIQUE IVORY

STERLING SILVER

18 KT GOLDEBONY BASE

8” HIGH1987

LAURENCE DE VRIES

37©


THE VENETIAN

CARVED ALABASTER LATER BRONZESILVER, 18 KT GOLD HAT PIN

LIFE SIZE1992

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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MAKEDA

CARVED ALABASTER STEEL, BRASS

SILVER EARRINGSLIFE SIZE

1992

LAURENCE DE VRIES

39©


THE FIGHTER

BRONZEGRANITE

BASE25” HIGH

1994

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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TRIUMPH

BRONZEGRANITE BASE

25” HIGH1996

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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MOKO

TERRA COTTA13” HIGH2003

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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THE PRINCE (INSPIRED BY N. MACHIAVELLI NOVEL)

TERRA COTTALIFE SIZE

2003

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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LE PETIT PRINCE (INSPIRED BY ANTOINE DE

ST. EXUPERY NOVEL)


2003

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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SIDDHARTHA(INSPIRED BY HERMAN HESS NOVEL)


2003

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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SIDDHARTHA(INSPIRED BY

HERMAN HESS NOVEL)

BRONZELIFE SIZE

2003

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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OBJETS D’ART

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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The objets d’art are natural extensions of the creative process found in the jewelry of Laurence De Vries. Signature design motifs and materials turn familiar objects like hair combs, letter openers, perfume bottles and walking sticks into extraordinary jewels of another kind.

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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WALKING STICKS

EBONY ROSEWOOD

RATTAN SILVER

18 KT GOLD ANTIQUE IVORY

CINNABAR1980

LAURENCE DE VRIES

49©


DESK OBJECT

WALRUS TUSK SILVER

18 KT GOLD ANTIQUE

TORTOISE SHELL1990

LAURENCE DE VRIES

50©


HAIR PINS

ANTIQUE IVORYCORALEBONY

18 KT GOLD1980

LAURENCE DE VRIES

51©


COMB

SILVEREBONY

ANTIQUE IVORY &RED CORAL

1976

LAURENCE DE VRIES

52©


PERFUME BOTTLES

COBALT BLUE GLASSSILVER

GOLD ETCHEDRUBY1986

LAURENCE DE VRIES

53©


FRAGRANCE HOLDER

COBALT BLUE GLASSSILVER

1980

LAURENCE DE VRIES

54©


MATCH BOX

EBONYANTIQUE IVORY&

RED CORALSILVER

18 KT GOLD1983

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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MATCH BOX

EBONYANTIQUE IVORY&

RED CORALSILVER

18 KT GOLD1983

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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DESK LENS

SILVER1985

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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DRAWINGS

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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The pencil and ink drawings span 1982-2006. Inspiration came from many sources, some historic, others more personal and interpretative.

De Vries became more prolific in this medium when he moved to Australia in 2000. The dramatic change in scenery set his past twenty-five years in New York City into sharp focus and he found himself exploring beauty, fashion and elegance in his drawings.

Extended visits to Mexico and a growing fascination into its history led to a series of drawings on the legendary conqueror Cortez.

LAURENCE DE VRIES

59©


GAMMA RAYS

PENCIL & INK ON PAPER

1983

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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MANHATTAN

PENCIL & INK ON PAPER

1983

LAURENCE DE VRIES

61©


LA DEBUTANTE

PENCIL & INKON PAPER

1983

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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LA MERVEILLEUSE


2005

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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GAULOISE CAPORAL


2005

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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COAT OF ARMS


2004

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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CORTEZ

PENCIL & INK ON PAPER2004

LAURENCE DE VRIES

66©


THE MESSAGE

PENCIL & INKON PAPER2004

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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THE INVITATION

PENCIL & INKON PAPER2004

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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THE STRIP


LAURENCE DE VRIES

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THE PUZZLE


LAURENCE DE VRIES

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COMMISSIONS

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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Throughout his career, Laurence De Vries has been sought by international companies and private individuals for a range of prestigious commissioned works in different areas of design.

From the late 1970s through the mid-1980s, Cartier commissioned De Vries to create silver jewelry collections and objets d’art. He was the only independent designer in New York City to have such an exclusive relationship with the House of Cartier. All his works are dated, signed by De Vries and bear the Cartier mark.

Mikimoto hired the designer to create jewelry boxes and the Sultan of Brunei came to De Vries for a custom set of tobacco boxes. For costume jewelry companies Trifari and Monet, he designed private label collections.

The Atlantean Group, an architectural firm, commissioned furniture, lamps and desk accessories. For Paradigm Inc, a communications company, De Vries rendered their corporate logo into a three-dimensional sculpture for their boardroom.

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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SULTAN OF BRUNEI COMMISSIONASSORTED TOBACCO BOX ES IN

ONYX, BRUSHED SILVER & 18 KT GOLD ON MARBLE STAND

1987

LAURENCE DE VRIES

73©


PARADIGM COMMISSION3 DIMENSIONAL DEPICTION OF THE

CORPORATE LOGO IN SILVER & ALUMINUM ON A GRANITE BASE

5’ HIGH1996

LAURENCE DE VRIES

74©


CARTIER COMMISSIONWALKING STICKS IN EXOTIC WOODS

WITH AMBER, ANTIQUE IVORY, VICTORIAN ANTIQUE TORTOISE

SHELL, SILVER, & 18 KT GOLD DETAILS1980

LAURENCE DE VRIES

75©


CARTIER COMMISSIONBRACELET IN SILVER WITH RED

CORAL & 18 KT GOLD DETAILPIN IN SILVER WITHBLACK, RED AND

WHITE CORAL 1980

LAURENCE DE VRIES

77©


MIKIMOTO COMMISSIONJEWELRY BOX CONCEPT IN

SILVER, 18 KT GOLD & ANTIQUE VICTORIAN TORTOISE SHELL INLAID

1987

LAURENCE DE VRIES

81©


ATLANTEAN COMMISSIONFLOWER VASES 5 FT HIGH

STEEL, BRONZE & ENAMEL INLAID WITH MARBLE BASE

1985

LAURENCE DE VRIES

102©


LAURENCE DE VRIES

1967 Studied law and architecture1968 Antique dealer of medieval weapons and

scientific instruments1969 Traveled from Paris to Burma

(Greece, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India & Nepal)

1971 Designer and model maker for Parisian Haute Couture firm specializing in accessories

1972 Set up studio in Paris. Created art jewelry, Objets d’art and architectural sculptures

1974 Moved to the United States1975 Established business in New York City

ShowsAaron Faber Gallery, New YorkSculpture to Wear, New YorkWiener Gallery, New York

1979 Designed and produced jewelry collections & Objets d’art for CARTIER Inc., New York. Continued the relationship until 1985

1980 Started partnership with Sandro Rumney, grandson of Peggy Guggenheim.Opened Heliogabale (Fine Art Gallery 68th/Madison, New York) showing personal creations, contemporary jewelry designers and 20th century painters including Dali, Miro & Kandinski.

1980s Shows - One ManAaron Faber Gallery, New York,1983Artwear/Robert Lee Morris, New York, 1983Maxfield, Los Angeles, 1983Works Gallery, New York, 1984Works Gallery, New York, 1987Lynne Deutch, Los Angeles, 1987LS Collection, New York, 1989

1990 Shows - One ManArtwear/Robert Lee Morris, New YorkStanley Korshak, Dallas

1991 Established Laurence De Vries Studio, Inc. Show - One Man

Bergdorf Goodman, New York

1993 Began creating marble figurative sculptures1996 Created bronze figurative sculptures1999 Show - One Man

Jane Smith Gallery, Santa Fe NM

2000 Moved to Australia. Established studio until 2005. Created and produced series of figurative bronze and terra cotta sculptures

2002 Developed series of drawings and collages2005 Designed and produced 22 KT gold and

precious stones jewelry

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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LAURENCE DE VRIES

PUBLICITYUSAccent – Allure – Elle – Essence –Glamour – Harper’s Bazaar – Lear’s –Marie Claire – Metropolis – MCI –Mirabella –- New York Magazine – New York Times – Playboy – Revlon – Self –Taxi – Vogue – Vogue Décor – Women’s Wear DailyINTERNATIONALArchitektur Wohen (Germany) – Axis (Japan) – Moda (Italy) – Vogue (Italy) –Grazia (Italy)

INTERVIEWSTV Special France/Amerique – “L’Art a New York” 1995

LECTURESParson’s School of Design, New York, 1989Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, 1996 – 2004

EXTRA STUDIESNew York Academy of Art - classical human anatomy drawings & sculpture

PRIVATE COLLECTORSArmand Hammer – Duke & Duchess of York – Sir Elton John – Sir Mick Jagger –Janet Jackson – Carly Simon – John Lithgow – Motley Crue – Jane Pauly –Geoffrey Beene – Robert Lee Morris – Miss Grace Mirabella – Nile Rogers – Wes Craven

CLIENTS24 Collection, FL – Aaron Farber Gallery, NY – Albright-Knox Art Gallery, NY –

Angela, CA – Aronstam, DC –Artwear/Robert Lee Morris, NY – Bergdorf Goodman, NY – Body Art, CO – Cartier, NY – Collage, CA – The Elements IL – Etc, AL – Giles & Lewis, NY – Harriet Kassman, DC – Ice, CA – IF Boutique, NY – Jet Gallery, NM – The LS Collection, NY –Lynne Deutch Ltd, CA – Maxfield, CA –Metier, CA – Nancy Yaw Gallery, MA –Quadrum Gallery, MA – Sculpture to wear, NY – Select Art, TX – Spirit, NM – Stanley Korshak, TX – Susan of Berlingane, CA –Theodore, CA – Thrapp, IN – Ultimo, IL –Weinstein, LA – Works Gallery, NY

Costa, Turino (Italy) – Les Artisans,St Bart (Caribbean) – Rock Shop, Sydney (Australia) – Vendome, Tokyo (Japan)

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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LAURENCE DE VRIES

JewelrySilver, 18KT, 22KT, 24KT Gold, Platinum

Objets d’ArtDecorative works of artSymbolic statementsFunctional WorksHollow & FlatwareDesk ObjectsTrophiesMixed media, Precious Materials

SculptureAbstract and FigurativeOne of a kind and Limited EditionsStone, Marble, Bronze, Aluminum, Steel, Fiberglass Mixed Media, Precious Metals

DrawingsAbstract and FigurativeArtistic, Industrial, Textile and Illustration

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

COMMISSIONSCONCEPT/DESIGN/PROTOTYPE/COLLECTIONS FOR:

CONSULTING & LECTURES

COLLECTOR & CORPORATE CLIENTS

PRICING AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

LAURENCE DE VRIES

105©


An editor once called the work of Laurence De Vries “antiques from the future.”

The transcendent quality of his work is not surprising given the artist’s fluid relationship to time and place. The past is very much alive in his works, with echoes of Art Deco, the Renaissance, the French Empire and stretching back to ancient Rome and Babylon. But he is equally influenced by his here and now – the skyscrapers of New York or the majesty of Australia, where he lived for five years.

Yet, his ultimate source of inspiration has been women. “I admire their intellect, beauty, friendship, guidance and warmth,” says De Vries.

Photography by Andy Unangt and Douglas Whyte © 1975 - 2006

LAURENCE DE VRIES

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THE ARTIST

www.devriestudios.com

[email protected]

646.319.9646

Photography by Andy Unangt and Douglas Whyte © 1975 - 2006

his work 1975 to the present - laurence de...

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