What do “Monture” and “Dépose” mean in antique jewelry?

In the context of jewelry, Monture refers to the setting or mounting of the jewelry piece. At the same time, Dépose indicates that the design is a registered or patented design (a modèle déposé), which provides exclusive rights to the design's appearance. 

Monture means the designer uses the stones of the client, sometimes for the main stones or sometimes for stones around, then the jewelry house designs the pieces and makes them for their client.

Dépose means pattern is deposited - “exclusive” patented design Registered Design: In the jewelry and other industries, dépose (or modèle déposé) means a registered or patented design, preventing others from creating an identical design.  The rights or patent granted for an exclusive jewelry design in France.

If the reverse of a piece of jewelry is stamped "Depose", it was made in France. The literal translation is "hand-made."

  The rights or patent granted for an exclusive jewelry design in France. This is a legal monopoly on the appearance, i.e., other people are not allowed to make an object with an identical appearance.

Occasionally in the world of antiques, you may come across a mark, DEP, which could mean either Depose or Deponiert. This mark is commonly found on German or French bisque dolls, celluloid, porcelain, jewelry, glass, or metal goods. Dep stands for the German word Deponiert, which means registered, or copyright. Dep is also a shortened form of Depose, which is French for registered.

Without knowing a manufacturer or country of origin, it is safe to say that if your item is marked DEP, it is most likely of French or German manufacture.