The name Georges Briard may sound very French, but he was, in fact, a mid-century modern American product designer. Briard (1917-2005) was born Jakub Brojdo in Ukraine, but it was in America – where he immigrated to in 1937 – took to marking his commercial designs with his now very well known signature.
Mostly known for his huge output of decorative glassware, he also designed an array of other barware such as ice buckets, bar tools, ashtrays and cocktail napkins. Necessary accoutrements for a 1950s home bar!
We currently have for sale on our shop website, new old stock enamel tiles designed by him in the 1960s (some included in the montage above).
I absolutely adore his ceramics from the Graphics ovenware range, decorated with a bold monochrome font and fine gold-painted edging (some of which are shown in the montage above).
His wares were stocked in prestigious department stores such as Neiman Marcus. Today, examples of his work are available on eBay. You rarely find Georges Briard pieces outside the USA; prices are anything from a few dollars to hundreds and even into the thousands for his furniture.
There is a book entitled Fifties & Sixties Glass, Ceramics, & Enamel Wares: Designed & Signed by George Briard, Sascha Brastoff, Bellaire, Higgins… that features his work amongst a few others.
Additional image credits:
1stDibs | Chairish | Diamond Dust Vintage | Retro Solstice
