Jean Després (1889-1980) was born in Souvigny, France. His father owned a small jewellery shop and sent his 16 year old son to be apprenticed in Paris, where he also studied design at night.
During World War I, Després became a draughtsman for the French Air Force, which later influenced his modernistic designs. After the war, he took over the family business, which was to mark the beginning of his design career. Innovative with his use of materials, he embraced the dramatic contrasts of silver, enamel and semi-precious stones.
He exhibited at the L’ Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, 1925. His work was well received and was collected by many important writers and artists including Anatole France, Paul Signac and Andy Warhol.