Bapst and Falize
Bapst and Falize entered into a partnership that resulted in some remarkable jewelry at the end of the 19th century.
The Maison Bapst was founded during the second quarter of the 18th Century and enjoyed great success, acting as Crown Jeweler's to the French court for many years. They created spectacular parures of Royal jewels set with magnificent gemstones, as well as outstanding diamonds for many successive Empresses. They even remade existing jewels to make them more fashionable.
The house of Falize was founded in 1838 and had a reputation for meticulous craftsmanship. They even exhibited at Paris’ Exposition Universelle in 1878. Lucien Falize was much inspired by past eras (just like is father), particularly the Renaissance. He also seemed to bring in an influence of Japanese art and culture. This brought them to the attention of a wider audience and it was shortly after this success that Lucien was approached by Germain Bapst with the idea of joining their firms together. The benefits to both parties seemed clear and in 1880 the new partnership was formalized. They enjoyed a period of great success, the weight of Bapst’s royal history and long standing clientele and the current popularity of Falize’s work. In 1882 they moved from Avenue de l’Opera into new premises at 6, rue d’Antin that had been built for them to accommodate a showroom as well as workshops and offices.
Their mark consisted of the letters B and F accompanied by a ring with a pearl drop which they sometimes employed as a decorative motif within the enamel decoration of their jewels. They also created many silver objects such as candelabras, center-pieces and even clocks.
In 1892 Germain Bapst and Lucien Falize dissolved their joint venture amicably. Bapst choose to dedicate himself to academic research. Falize ran the business under his own name until his death in 1897 when it passed to his three sons.
The Maison Bapst was founded during the second quarter of the 18th Century and enjoyed great success, acting as Crown Jeweler's to the French court for many years. They created spectacular parures of Royal jewels set with magnificent gemstones, as well as outstanding diamonds for many successive Empresses. They even remade existing jewels to make them more fashionable.
The house of Falize was founded in 1838 and had a reputation for meticulous craftsmanship. They even exhibited at Paris’ Exposition Universelle in 1878. Lucien Falize was much inspired by past eras (just like is father), particularly the Renaissance. He also seemed to bring in an influence of Japanese art and culture. This brought them to the attention of a wider audience and it was shortly after this success that Lucien was approached by Germain Bapst with the idea of joining their firms together. The benefits to both parties seemed clear and in 1880 the new partnership was formalized. They enjoyed a period of great success, the weight of Bapst’s royal history and long standing clientele and the current popularity of Falize’s work. In 1882 they moved from Avenue de l’Opera into new premises at 6, rue d’Antin that had been built for them to accommodate a showroom as well as workshops and offices.
Their mark consisted of the letters B and F accompanied by a ring with a pearl drop which they sometimes employed as a decorative motif within the enamel decoration of their jewels. They also created many silver objects such as candelabras, center-pieces and even clocks.
In 1892 Germain Bapst and Lucien Falize dissolved their joint venture amicably. Bapst choose to dedicate himself to academic research. Falize ran the business under his own name until his death in 1897 when it passed to his three sons.
