I suppose it was Gabrielle who first called my attention to Rousselet beads in the early/mid-1980s. I have, of course, read the Opper exposition too.

My impression is that, from his studio, a variety of products emerged under his name. Some of these he acquired from makers, when they had products he liked. And some he designed and had made. One could only guess whether these were factories or enterprises in France and/or elsewhere. Some of his glass beads are virtually unique—and these are the ones I most-associate with him.

Added to the above unknowns, we have the issue of whether an ensemble we might encounter was "made by him," versus something that may have been composed from whatever leftovers and reclaimed elements might be acquired (as from flea markets, estates, and whatnot).

I tend to think we are all guessing and in-the-dark. Wouldn't it be great to come across some old French exposition, that informed us of that time? You could read it. Whereas I would have to translate.

Jamey

dear Jamey i agree-
even though various online FB messages and images are from enthusiasts rather than scholars, its valuable to be prompted to look for more evidence about the beads and components' origins, more than only the similarities of taste and style. the lettering on the clasps "made in France" is one factor to start with... but the most fancy shaped glass lampwork beads may have been made in France using Venetian coloured glass canes ?
Are there other ways to distinguish german-made lampwork beads of the mid-20th C, or japanese?

No , Stephany, the glass used by Rousselet was not venetian but made by the french factory Gilbert-Martin. Some time ago I purchased from Rousselet's grandson tools, equipment , glass from his grandfather workshop.

Pics from 2012:

I recall your article, this photo, and my surprise that Rousselet had made turquoise imitations It is all very interesting.

Yet these are not the beads I think of as particular to the Rousselet brand.

I will try to locate my beads, or a previous photo, for your feedback or impressions.

I hope you are well, and I miss you greatley.

Jamey

Thanks!
Angela

Note it helps to first make a space when you are adding a link- FYI

I realize this series of posts has been referred to multiple times, but that's how we review, and how we familiarize new members with searching the archive, which is bursting with great images and info.

And yes, I'd also love to see even more documented French beads.

Here's a link full of wonderful past posts....

There are some marks on the holes that also make me wonder if you are completely sure they are glass.

Good point about being certain of glass, I am not. They have a somewhat porous surface, very few and very fine pores in the blue areas but larger pores, even small pits, in the brown areas. Also, where the brown is concentrated around the bead holes there is roughness like stone. Could these be stone? Where were the visual clues leading you?

Attaching two more photos, trying to show the brown area roughness at the bead hole but hard to capture.

Thanks again Floor, and Stefany, too!

So much vintage jewelry is spoiled by missing one bead or a chain link or clasp or something - this collection seems like a wonderful resource for restorations!

Thank you for your link !
I can see many of you here know about Rousselet ;)
Some of the necklaces are Rousselet but, for me, not all of them...

I believe the necklace you are showing is a Louis Rousselet design from the 1930's. Peter Francis' reference to a Pierre Rousselet is misleading - he got the first name wrong. The large spherical clasps with MADE IN FRANCE signatures were used by Rousselet in their designs.

The beads in your necklace are wound blue glass, lathe-turned and carved red galalithe (casein) and probably stained and carved vegetable ivory, all on the usual fox chain. These are classic combinations of beads made from different materials which he combined in this way.

The image of a necklace in my collection is a definite Rousselet design, and uses the same blue glass bead, some more lighter blue glass ovals and six now rather dirty-looking spliced casein beads which are a typical trademark bead of Louis Rousselet. These are fascinating beads made with a typical Art deco stepped design where originally black and blonde casein were spliced together and lathe-turned into an oval bead. I'll show another version of these beads in a second message.

The marbled effect in the oval blue glass beads looks similar to the marbled effect in the yellow beads you first showed.

Carole

Louis' grandson Jean-Claude Rousselet still worked in the shop where I met him and talked to him in 1999. I knew in advance I was going to the shop, so I had taken my necklaces with me and he confirmed they were his grandfather's beads and that these clasps were used by the firm. So after talking to him, and seeing the resources in the shop, I am fairly confident about identifying Rousselet designs. WenP's two necklaces shown so far appear to be Rousselet originals.

This bracelet is a design I bought in Jeanne Danjou at that time made by Denise using her father's 1930’s black and white spliced Galalithe beads which are pristine and shiny and show just how the oval ones on my necklace would have originally looked!

I have at least one other Rousselet 1930's necklace which I'll show shortly.

Carole

Early 20th century casein beads are among some of my favourites!

Carole

(i) the marbled yellow glass and cylindrical casein on fox chain with spherical clasp

(ii) the dark blue glass and carved red casein with vegetable ivory beads, fox chain and spherical clasp.

Cheers
Carole

you can find more pics and informations about Louis Rousselet on our website :
www.jeannedanjou-jewelry-paris.com

We'll be pleased to give you more details about Rousselet Beads if you ask us for,

JD
(little son of Louis Rousselet !)

It would be a very good thing if photos of Rousselet beads could be brought together in a single publication, or in a file here at BCN.

I am linking the "view all" version of the earlier discussion involving Rousselet beads. Included are photos by Carole Morris and Homj.
http://www.beadcollector.net/cgi-bin/anyboard.cgi?fvp=/openforum/&cmd=iYz&aK=76977&iZz=76977&gV=0&kQz=&aO=1&iWz=0

But I have never seen the jars of powdered glass for beadmaking that you show as Rousselet ingredients and would love to know more- did you take the picture? where is this? when? who does the store of materials belong to now?

It's helpful to exploit the Google image search -
"Rousselet beads site beadcollector.net"
This brought an image to the thread I was looking for right to the top. Read all the followups.

Many thanks for that. Now I can tell you that it's definitely French and 1930's.

The association of the distinctive French clasp, French art glass beads, Galalithe (casein) beads and fox chain makes it unmistakably this.

Carole