Very Rare Original Robj Collection 4 Piece Jazz Band French Art Deco

Offered here is one of the most important works designed by Robj, the company formed by Jean Born. This original, mint condition four piece set made in France circa 1928 has been published in some of the most noted Art Deco reference books. This is a highly collectible set, emblematic of the spirit of Jazz, France, 1925 and the Art Deco Era!

The Jazz Band Set is pictured on the cover of the book Le Ceramiche 1921-1931 by Vanna Brega. All of the pieces are in excellent condition with no cracks, chips repairs or paint loss (including the gold). The Accordion, Sax and Banjo player are marked in the typical three line fashion: Robj/Paris/Made in France.

Jean Born began his work in 1908 under the name he created, ROBJ. An industrial designer through the ‘teens, after WWI he began to add artistic and decorative items in porcelain. He died in a car accident in 1922 at the very beginning of the Art Deco Period and a shareholder in his firm, Lucien WIllmetz took over the management. It is WIllmetz who really influenced and promoted the ROBJ style.

With the support of sculptors, model makers and technicians he created a range of “art trinkets in ceramics” which were produced through 1931. The characteristics of ROBJ pieces are very much in keeping with the styles of the times and they achieved immediate success. Perhaps the most popular items of their line were the liquor decanters introduced in 1928. Containers for tobacco, incense and bonbons were added to their lines of sculptural figurines. In the “JAZZ SET” the caricature of black musicians is artistically rendered and sought after by collectors of black memorabilia. ROBJ pieces are whimsical but also elegant, modern and original.

Several eminent factories were employed in the production of ROBJ designs: Manufacture de Sevres, Villeroy et Boch in Luxembourg and factories in Limoges among them.