Yves Saint Laurent by Robert Goossens Rare Smoky Grey and Clear Crystal Heart Brooch 1980's

1980's Yves Saint Laurent by Robert Goossens Rare Smoky Grey and Clear Crystal Heart Brooch featuring a vintage Yves Saint Laurent openwork heart brooch in a rare smoky grey and clear crystal colourway.  It has a silver tone metal frame densely embellished with mixed cut crystals (marquise, pear, oval, square and round).  The clear stones are combined with deeper smokey grey accents, including a prominent central oval stone.  This particular clear and smoky grey combination is uncommon.  It is signed 'YSL' in vertical font as well as 'Made In France' on the reverse and it has a rollover safety clasp.  It measures 4.6cm high and 5.2cm at its widest point and it weighs 29.1g.

The son of a foundry worker, Robert Goossens was born in Paris, France in 1927.  He served a jewellery apprenticeship at a young age, and went on to become an exceptional jewellery designer, earning himself the moniker Monsieur Bijou during his career-defining collaboration with Coco Chanel.  Goossens was well known for his work for Chanel, but he also worked regularly for Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Balenciaga as well as other prominent design houses.  His love of paintings and artefacts in Paris museums heavily influenced his work, which was mostly inspired by Maltese, Byzantine and Renaissance design.  Robert Goossens died in 2016 at the age of 88, and in many people's view, is arguably the greatest costume jewellery designer of all time.