Maison Falize: the forgotten dynasty of French artistic jewelry
Founded in Paris in 1838 by Alexis Falize (1811-1898), the Falize house quickly established itself as one of the most innovative workshops in 19th-century French jewelry. Trained at the Parisian jeweler Mellerio dit Meller, Alexis developed an «artistic» style of jewelry, combining semi-precious stones and enamel with sculpted details, drawing inspiration from the history of art and ancient civilizations. He reintroduced techniques such as cloisonné, granulation, and champlevé, among others.
In 1876, his son Lucien Falize (1839-1897) took over the management of the house and initiated a decisive turning point towards Japonism and the Neo-Renaissance style, paving the way for the emerging Art Nouveau. Awarded the Grand Prix and the Legion of Honor at the 1878 Universal Exhibition, he subsequently collaborated for fourteen years with Germain Bapst, a former jeweler to the French Crown, forming one of the most prestigious partnerships of the time.
The tradition continues with the sons of Lucien — André, Jean and Pierre — under the name of Falize Frères, extending until the early 20th century the technical excellence and stylistic inventiveness that made the house renowned.
Starting in the 1880s, aesthetics underwent a profound evolution, a new and innovative breath. It was a different vision of the world, one that departed from tradition to embrace new forms of expression.
At this time, artists and jewelers drew inspiration from forms, decorations, and works ranging from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance; the style is called Neo-Renaissance. At this time, artists and jewelers drew inspiration from forms, decorations, and works ranging from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance; the style is called Neo-Renaissance.
Meeting with Évelyne Possémé at the Museum of Decorative Arts The Museum of Decorative Arts houses a collection of jewelry ranging from antiquity to the present day. Esprit Joaillerie met with its chief curator, who oversees this wonderful heritage. How does one become a curator of the Gallery of Jewelry? After my studies, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work in the […]
