Masriera
Josep Masriera Vidal opened his first workshop on the Carrer dels Vigatans in Barcelona in 1839 after completing an apprenticeship in jewelry.
In 1840 he set up a wholesale business at the same premises and in 1860 the firm exhibited their jewelry at La Exposición Industrial y Artística de Productos del Principado de Cataluña. Then they exhibited again in 1871 at the Exposición General Catalana where they won prizes. Josep’s son of the same name, Josep, and second son Francesc joined the business and they moved to Carrer Ferran VIII. The company grew more and in 1889 they exhibited at Paris Exposition Universelle. Josep (junior’s) son Lluís was taught enameling by Edward Lossier (the famous enameller) and spent time in Paris where he learned from other masters. When he returned to Barcelona he joined the business and created a collection of jewelry which took six months to complete. On December 21st 1901 the pieces were debuted and sold out almost immediately. In 1906 Masriera name was solidified as a famous jewelry with the commission to create a tiara for Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain as a wedding gift from the people of Catalonia. In 1915 Masriera merged with Carrera Y Carrera or Carreras. The merger was orchestrated by Joaquin Carreras i Nolla (fifth generation of Carreras) along with brothers Lluís, Josep and Ricard Masriera. The company was named Masriera Hermanos y JoaquÍn Carreras. They opened at number 26, Passeig de Gràcia. By the time they exhibited at the 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes they shortened their name to Masriera y Carreras. They built on their success in Paris at the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona. In the 1930’s Lluis Masriera began to spend more time dedicated to theatre and the company saw a decline. Then in 1969 Bagués bought 50% of the company. In 1985 they acquired the remainder of the company and renamed it Bagués Masriera.
In 1840 he set up a wholesale business at the same premises and in 1860 the firm exhibited their jewelry at La Exposición Industrial y Artística de Productos del Principado de Cataluña. Then they exhibited again in 1871 at the Exposición General Catalana where they won prizes. Josep’s son of the same name, Josep, and second son Francesc joined the business and they moved to Carrer Ferran VIII. The company grew more and in 1889 they exhibited at Paris Exposition Universelle. Josep (junior’s) son Lluís was taught enameling by Edward Lossier (the famous enameller) and spent time in Paris where he learned from other masters. When he returned to Barcelona he joined the business and created a collection of jewelry which took six months to complete. On December 21st 1901 the pieces were debuted and sold out almost immediately. In 1906 Masriera name was solidified as a famous jewelry with the commission to create a tiara for Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain as a wedding gift from the people of Catalonia. In 1915 Masriera merged with Carrera Y Carrera or Carreras. The merger was orchestrated by Joaquin Carreras i Nolla (fifth generation of Carreras) along with brothers Lluís, Josep and Ricard Masriera. The company was named Masriera Hermanos y JoaquÍn Carreras. They opened at number 26, Passeig de Gràcia. By the time they exhibited at the 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes they shortened their name to Masriera y Carreras. They built on their success in Paris at the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona. In the 1930’s Lluis Masriera began to spend more time dedicated to theatre and the company saw a decline. Then in 1969 Bagués bought 50% of the company. In 1985 they acquired the remainder of the company and renamed it Bagués Masriera.
