Gustave Sherman
Gustave Sherman | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1910 Montreal, Quebec |
| Died | 1984 |
| Known for | Paris couturier |
Guatave Sherman ("Gus") (1910 – 1984) was a Paris couturier who started Sherman & Company Ltd, a costume jewellery business (1949-1980). In time, his jewellery was sold across Canada and the United States.[1] "Sherman is the most recognized and collectible costume jewelry in Canada," wrote a long-time collector.[2]
Biography
Sherman was born in Montreal to Jewish parents from Lithuania.[3] He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a navigator[2] during the Second World War and after he was demobbed, he worked in insurance and jewellery sales.[1] In February 1949,[4] he began Sherman & Company Ltd. in Outremont,[4] a borough of Montreal, with a Ukrainian employee named Dmytro ("Jimmy")[2] Kurica, an outstanding craftsman and jewellery maker.[1] Sherman oversaw every detail of design, manufacturing and marketing. The result was quality costume jewellery which set the standard in Canada.[2]
Sherman made his business part of the growing market for costume jewellery, but used top quality Swarovski crystals in contrast to most other jewellery makers. By the 1950s, Sherman had established himself as Canada’s foremost costume jeweler, and his work was starting to appear on runways in Paris and New York.[3] In 1956, Dior asked him for a new crystal inspired by the northern-lights and the company responded with Aurora Borealis, a multicoloured coating over simulated crystals for the holiday season.
Sherman never compromised quality and his company sold jewellery which was in large department stores, high end boutiques and also in smaller stores. It is praised today for its artistic use of colour, sense of movement, three-dimensional effect and the resulting sophistication and elegance.[2] It is extensive branded.[5][6]
Legacy
In 2024, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton, New Brunswick held an exhibition titled Gustave Sherman – Jewels of Elegance, organized by the Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery in Florenceville, NB.[7]
References
- ^ a b c Palmer, Alexandra (2022). Canadian Modern. Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum. p. 88. ISBN 978-0-88854-5329. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Delany, Terry (2000). "article: Jewelry by G.Sherman & Company LTD". Vintage Fashion & Costume Jewelry Magazine (2). Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Makers". www.collectorsweekly.com. Collectors Weekly. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ a b "History". gshermanjewels.com. Sherman grandson. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ Vandor, Dara. "Article". www.waddingtons.ca. Waddingtons Auction House, Toronto. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ "Makers". vintagecostumejewelryblog.blogspot.com. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ "Exhibitions". beaverbrookartgallery.org. Beaverbrook Art Gallery. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
Further reading
- Tanenbaum, Carole (2011). Vintage Costume Jeweller: A Passion for Fabulous Fakes. Woodbridge, Suffolk: Antique Collectors’ Club. ISBN 1851495118. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- Dormishian, Farideh (2015). Fun Facts About Jewelry. AuthoeHouse. ISBN 9781504929622. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- Caldwell, Sandra; Yallen, Evelyn (2008). Sherman Jewellery: The Masterpiece Collection. l: p. ISBN 098111640X.
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