TrendsJan 06, 2023
Amanda’s Style File: Glorious GarnetsCollectionsJan 10, 2023
Rémy Rotenier Debuts Hand-Painted Animal Jewelry
The “Rémanimals” brooches are a lighthearted spin on classic portrait miniatures.
Rémy Rotenier has introduced a new collection of animal portrait miniatures. Pictured is the designer’s portrait of his own dog, Zuzu.
New York—Hand-painted portrait miniatures were sentimental hallmarks of 18th- and 19th-century jewelry.
Designer and jewelry rendering teacher Rémy Rotenier is putting his fingerprint on the style with his new “Rémanimals” collection of brooches.
“Reverse-carved and painted portrait miniatures, often called Essex brooches, were prized possessions during the Victorian era,” he explained. “I’ve added modern jeweled frames to give these vintage and timeless expressions of love a new life.”
Essex brooches were so named for William Essex, the royal enamellist under Queen Victoria. Essex created many animal portrait miniatures for the queen, a noted dog lover. The style was popular across Europe.
The Rémanimals collection exclusively depicts animals, with a menagerie encompassing dogs, cats, rabbits, frogs, pandas, porcupines, and more.
Just like the antique jewelry style, Rotenier reverse hand paints each portrait in oil. The portrait is topped with rock crystal featuring a reverse carving of the design and backed with translucent mother-of-pearl.
These layers add dimension to the portrait’s meticulous details.
“I wanted to celebrate the close relationship between people and animals, by giving precious pets a human touch in my brooches,” said designer Rémy Rotenier of his new Rémanimals collection.
Rotenier’s renditions of antique animal portrait jewelry feature his subjects dressed in human clothing.
The portraits are reverse hand painted in oil paint and set underneath a reverse-carved intaglio in rock crystal cabochon.
Portraits are set in 22-karat yellow gold bezels in a sterling silver frame.
“Most of us carry pictures of our loved ones everywhere we go, and for many of us, that includes our animals,” Rotenier said.
The portraits are set in 22-karat yellow gold bezels and sterling silver frames adorned with approximately 0.18 carats of diamonds.
On the back of each brooch are two “hidden” diamonds, one baguette-cut stone representing the animal and the other a round diamond representing the brooch’s human wearer.
Rotenier’s portraits depicts his animal subjects in human clothing for a measure of playfulness.
“This is a collection based on celebrating our dear animal friends,” Rotenier said.
“Using anthropomorphism gives them human attributes to highlight their steadfastness. Dressing them up also enhances their natural elegance. I find our animals are symbiotic to us, so they needed to borrow our clothes.”
The collection’s brooches are priced at $5,800. Rotenier also accepts commissions for $6,400.
More information is available on the designer’s website.
More on Collections
The Latest
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
