Eugene Fontenay
Eugene Fontenay was a French goldsmiths of the 19th century born in 1823 in Paris. He was the third generation of a family of jewelers. After schooling he entered the trade through an arranged apprenticeship with Marchand. After completing his training he joined the firm of Dutreih. In 1847 Fontenay made the decision to set up his own business and founded his workshop at 2 rue Favart, north of the Palais Royal in Paris’s 2nd arrondissement. In a few years he was supplying jewelers like Cartier with a variety of jewels. In 1855 he participated in the Paris Exposition Universelle. Three years later he produced a tiara for the Empress Eugénie. In 1861 the Louvre exhibited pieces from the Campana collection which Napoleon III had acquired for the French nation. For the King of Siam he made a complete set of horse tack, every piece of which was embellished with large gemstones. For the Shah of Persia he remounted family heirlooms and for the Viceroy of Egypt he created pieces spectacular gold dinner service decorated with enamel and set with thousands of diamonds, pearls, rubies and emeralds.
Fontenay was also a founding member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Bijouterie-Joaillerie-Orfèvrerie. He was interested in the academic side of the trade wanted to create networks for his fellow craftsmen as well as a school to teach the trade. In 1882 he retired as his business was taken over by Henry Smets and he devoted his time to his book ‘Les Bijoux Anciens et Modernes’ which was published just after his death in 1887.
Fontenay was also a founding member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Bijouterie-Joaillerie-Orfèvrerie. He was interested in the academic side of the trade wanted to create networks for his fellow craftsmen as well as a school to teach the trade. In 1882 he retired as his business was taken over by Henry Smets and he devoted his time to his book ‘Les Bijoux Anciens et Modernes’ which was published just after his death in 1887.
