Erté (Romain de Tirtoff, 1892–1990), master of Art Deco design, was renowned for his fashion illustrations, theatrical costume design, and stage sets. In the later stage of his career (1970s–1980s), he ventured into the world of artistic jewelry. His collaboration with Circle Fine Art Corporation (USA) enabled the production and distribution of limited editions of his designs.
The Légèreté earrings were designed by Erté and released in 1980 by the Circle Fine Art Corporation. They reflect his fascination with birds—particularly their wings. Three versions were published using various materials; this pair belongs to “State I”, crafted in sterling silver and 14k gold. The earrings are numbered and signed on the reverse, this pair being 111 of 250.