Art as a Heritage

Gallery 1020 Madison

1963

OPENING OF THE DANENBERG GALLERY AT 1020 MADISON AVENUE IN NEW YORK

Mr. Bernard and Mrs. Elisabeth Danenberg, art dealers and antiquarians, both avid collectors, are opening their art gallery in New York's very chic Upper East Side, sharing a common passion for the Art Deco period. There, they exhibit master paintings ranging from Picasso, Manet, and Dali to Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and Norman Rockwell, who was discovered and launched by Bernard Danenberg.

Hôtel Particulier NYC 1020 Madison

1964

Birth and childhood in New York

Born in New York, Valérie grew up on the 5th floor of their private mansion, which houses the Family Gallery, surrounded by a culture of beauty and antiquity, and more specifically in the world of art.

Her father passed on his passion for art in all its forms to her at a very young age, while her mother collected the finest Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewelry created by renowned jewelers such as Suzanne Belperron, René Lalique, Jean Sterlé, Jean Fouquet, and many others, sourced from the most prestigious collections, such as that of the Duchess of Windsor. She thus opened up to an international culture that allowed her to take an interest in the architecture of many emblematic sites of the Art Deco era, such as the Chrysler Building, which would later inspire her in her creations.

1975

Relocation and installation of the Danenberg family at the Louvre des Antiquaires in Paris

Back in Paris in the mid-1970s, his parents set up shop at the Louvre des Antiquaires on Place du Palais Royal, as soon as it opened in 1978.

They have several shops and specialize in Art Deco objects and furniture, René Lalique, Gallé, and Daum glassware, as well as antique jewelry signed by the greatest jewelers of the Art Deco era.

Valérie, her mother, and her daughter in 2021

1980

First contribution to the family business

Outside of her classes, Valérie then spends all her free time in her parents' shop and starts working with them at the age of 15. Then, she chooses to assist her mother in the antique jewelry department by creating designs for transformations of family jewelry entrusted to them and by supervising the workshop work.

She is passionate about traditional craftsmanship, such as certain pearl-setting techniques or even the gem cutter’s art of recutting—whether it involves recutting diamonds in all their forms, precious stones that are restored to their original luster, or engraved with knights’ coats of arms, as well as noble materials such as lapis lazuli, onyx, rock crystal, agate, and bloodstone.

1985

A calling that is being confirmed

Gradually revealing her true talent in this field, she creates custom pieces based on her own designs for clients who want to give their jewelry a new lease on life. At one client’s request, she took apart her antique brooch to create two pairs of earrings and five rings, each more extraordinary than the last. Her clients are delighted to be able to wear the jewelry passed down from their ancestors once again, reimagined in a modern style and brought up to date.

It is during this period that she has the opportunity to hold numerous masterpieces created by renowned artists.

1992

A degree-granting gemology training program

Valérie then decided to continue her studies at the National Institute of Gemmology, where she delved deeper into the study of gemstones and their properties. She learned to identify all types of gemstones, including imitations, which allowed her to build on the years of hands-on experience she had gained working alongside her parents.

Valérie, her mother, and her daughter in 2021

2015

Opening of their boutique on Rue du Marché-Saint-Honoré

A few years later, she moved into a new setting in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, a stone's throw from Place Vendôme, entirely conceived and designed in collaboration with a Parisian architect in the Art Deco style to showcase her creations.

Aesthete

Passionate about art history, I create jewelry inspired by major periods in art history, notably the Art Deco, Empire, Ancient Roman, and 1960s eras. Each of my creations bears an emblematic historical name: Roxane, Eliette, Victorine, Bacchante, Clarence, Isadora…

Perfectionist

What sets me apart is the finesse of my creations, the extreme care I take at every stage of the manufacturing process, and especially the quality control I perform myself using my 15X magnifying glass. Our workshop excels at the most sophisticated techniques, such as: pearl setting, river setting, and the recutting of diamond baguettes and calibrated colored gemstones for the «Victorine» models. We use top-quality diamonds for greater brilliance and produce our own gold alloy, which I strive to make as pure as possible—containing 0.2% more fine gold than what is typically available on the market.

A recipe that adds 13% palladium to gold, a precious metal offering superior hardness and whiteness compared to ordinary 18-karat gold.

Aware of
my environment

Mindful of environmental issues, I personally commute by bike and do my best to support local supply chains, thereby helping to limit my carbon footprint.

I work with the same stone suppliers as my parents, all of whom are signatories to international treaties against human exploitation.

A woman creating
for women

Each creation is meant to be worn by a unique and wonderful woman. That is why each ring basket is custom-made, like a jewel case, to receive and enhance the delicately selected stone. I strive to ensure that each of my creations fits like a glove and can be worn without moderation from morning to night, like a second skin.

When I create a piece of jewelry, I follow the thread of a story that will be remembered as a magical memory. I wish to elevate a moment—that of the gift-giving—into an unforgettable experience that springs to mind each time the piece is worn. I want the jewelry to be a pledge of love, luxury, and sensual pleasure.