Arthus Bertrand has been a French house for several generations. It is worth mentioning that the Maison Arthus Bertrand traces its roots to the Napoleonic glory and took off during the extravagances of the Second Empire. Since then, his sense of prestige and his inventive spirit have made him one of the most charismatic luxury brands in France. Thus, in 1803, Arthus Claude Bertrand, an officer of the Imperial Army and passionate about scientific expeditions, opened a bookstore on the banks of the Seine. A few years later, it became the official publishing house of the Ministry of the Navy. Later, the publisher’s grandson, who also named himself Arthus Claude Bertrand, took over from his grandfather when he met Marie-Adelina Marion in 1861. It should be noted that Marie-Adelina’s father, Michel-Ange Thomas Napoléon Marion, founded a very renowned house. Indeed, it is renowned for its silk fabrics, its gold and silver embroidered flags, its military equipment and its decorations, including the prestigious Legion of Honor. Moreover, his unique expertise earned him the status of official supplier to Napoleon III as early as 1852, who appreciated his avant-garde style. Finally in 1889, Arthus Claude Bertrand sold the bookstore and devoted himself entirely to the house founded by his father-in-law, which he named Arthus Bertrand. Thus, in its Parisian workshops, this great house maintains its expertise in the art of medal-making, engraving, as well as the enamelling of decorations and the creation of prestigious trophies. Always ahead of its time, it presents innovative creations that would also make its name famous in the 1920s and 1930s. Notable are the beautiful baptismal medals and the characterful jewellery. Finally, artists such as Auguste Bartholdi, Galtier, Fernand Léger, then César, Arman or Niki de Saint-Phalle collaborate with the Maison.
