La Maison Menière
A HISTORY OF KINGS
The history of the Maison Menière began in Paris in 1775 when Paul-Nicolas Menière was admitted to the goldsmith's guild on 11 January 1775.
In 1778 he had already been appointed "jeweller to the King" and in 1784 he was listed in the King's Presents. He became "jeweller to the Crown" in 1788, and remained so until his death in 1826.
He executed the most beautiful works of his time for Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, but also for kings Louis XVIII and Charles X.
With his special orders of jewels for the French royal family, Menière distinguished himself by a know-how that he knew how to make last.
Menière's descendants, through the marriage of his daughter to his partner, Georges-Frédéric Bapst, became in turn jewellers to the Crown under Louis-Philippe and Napoleon III.
Thus, the Maison Baspt-Menière made, among other things, the coronation crown of King Charles X adorned with the "Régent", the famous diamond of the Crown.
Snuffbox with portraits of the royal family (1776-1777)
Crown of coronation of King Charles X made by Baspt-Menière in 1825
Louis XVI in his coronation robes
... AND QUEEN
Menière was the last jeweller of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. He supplied exceptional pieces, some of which are still preserved.
He also worked for the women of the royal family, notably the "Dauphine", Marie-Thérèse, Duchess of Angoulême.
The illustrious pieces he made can still be seen in the most precious collections of France.
The bracelets and diadem of the Duchess of Angouleme can be admired in the Louvre.
LA MAISON TODAY
The Maison is now located at number 194 on the prestigious Rue de Rivoli in Paris.
Based on the reputation and the excellence of the Menière know-how, the brand now produces exceptional products for a prestigious clientele.
It has experienced a real renaissance by combining the prestige of the House and its history with exceptional contemporary products.
Collections of very high quality leather goods for privileged customers are now made with the greatest care while maintaining the spirit of excellence and French know-how for which it is renowned.
The "Orléans" and "Petit Dauphin" bags, Menière's most prestigious customer, are the iconic objects of the House.
Tradition, exclusivity and excellence are the key words of the Maison Menière.
THE MENIÈRE HALLMARK
The Menière hallmark is one of the Maison's trademarks. It was registered in 1775. It represents a crowned fleur-de-lis, two grains of medicine, PNM and a pine cone. It is one of the emblems of the Maison Menière.
In Paris, in the 18th century, it was customary to represent the initials of the goldsmith around a symbol. Thus the initials "PNM" are those of Paul-Nicolas Menière.
The definition of the hallmarks of master (by King Charles V in 1378) imposes to every silversmith to affix on his works a special hallmark representing a crowned fleur-de-lys.
The two dots are "grains of remedy". The remedy was a unit of measurement which was intended to indicate the tolerance of the precious alloy content.
The Menière pine cone has now become iconic as it is present on almost all of the House's creations.