Serge Roche (1898-1988)
Serge Roche was a French designer and artist in the mid-20th century. He was the son of a famous art dealer and collector. Painters such as Picasso, Renoir and Pissaro frequented the family gallery. Roche was fascinated by European Rococo furnishings and mirror cabinets. He also conceived very creative and original objects and furniture. He often made them with stucco and mirrored elements for a consequently strong Baroque feel. Among his most emblematic creations are the obelisks he created in patinated, tinted or even eglomized mirrors. His creations led him to collaborate with other exceptional designers and craftsmen such as Gilbert Poillerat, great wrought iron master of the 40’s.
Inspired by his mentor Emilio Terry, Roche had been commissioned by the elite of that time. It included Arturo Lopez, Coco Chanel, Charles de Beistegui, Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles. In the 1940s, private commissions became rarer. Roche consequently turned his attention to window displays for luxury department stores such as Hermès, Balenciaga, Caron and Elizabeth Arden. He then abandoned design to become an antique dealer specializing in antique mirrors. He occupied a gallery on rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré and became President of the Syndicat des Antiquaires.
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