Lucien Falize
(1839 - 1936)
Lucien Falize was born in Paris, France in 1839. His father was renowned jeweler Alexis Falize. His Second Empire (Napoleon III) designs were very popular, and his collaboration with Antoine Tard resulted in the production of a number of jewels with matt cloisonné enamels in a Japanese-inspired style that were always associated with him.
Lucien was also a great admirer of Japan as was his father. He extensively studied the albums of Hokusai prints borrowed from the connoisseur and critic Philippe Burty, the writer Théophile Gautier, the ceramist François-Eugène Rousseau, or purchased from the famous Orientalist Madame Desoye. Models were also available in the Encyclopédie des Arts Décoratifs de l’Orient. Lucien was a great advocator of careful studies of Japanese art and culture.
In 1862, Lucien visited the International Exhibition in London and saw the first display of Oriental works of art. In 1867, Lucien and Alexis saw Christofle’s display of cloisonné enameled objects at the Expositon Universelle.
Alexis Falize retired in 1876; and Lucien who had been in partnership with his father since 1871, took over the firm. In 1878, Lucien participated in the Exposition Universelle, exhibiting for the first time under his name. He was awarded the Légion d’Honneur and a Grands Prix. The other two were given to Oscar Massin and Frédéric Boucheron.
Falize’s collection featured a variety of pieces such as a hunting bracelet in the 14th century manner, a badge of St George after Albrecht D?rer, an enameled head ornament in the 16th century aesthetic, an Indian-style necklace, a Japanese-style cloisonné enameled bonbonnière, a Chinese-style hair ornament, and a basse-taille enamel after Van Eyck.
Lucien found limitless inspiration in the Renaissance. He reproduced portraits in basse,taille enamel to great effect. In 1880, Germain Bapst, descendant of the famous Crown Jewelers, approached Falize and offered him a partnership between the two firms. Lucien agreed, and the new firm Bapst et Falize was opened at 6 Rue d’Antin that same year. In 1889, they exhibited together at the Exposition Universelle. Lucien’s contribution earned him the decoration of Officier de la Légion d’Honneur. Among the pieces in the collection was a bracelet decorated with chamomile flowers and a silver bracelet with two pigeons and verses taken from La Fontaine’s poem of the same title.
Through Lucien Falize’s writings we discover the extent of his research and knowledge of jewelry past and present. He was frequently asked to write official reports for various exhibitions. His most famous and extensive document was the one published after the 1889 Exposition Universelle. He also contributed to art journals, including La Revue des Arts Décoratifs, in which he frequently appeared under the pseudonym of Monsieur Josse. His articles appeared in many other publications, such as the Siegfried Bing’s Artistic Japan. Lucien was often called upon to deliver lectures and was much respected for his culture as well as for his reputation as a jeweler.
Lucien Falize’s passion for plants and vegetables as ornamental devices made him one of the most significant originators of the Art Nouveau movement.
Lucien Falize died in Paris in 1897. André Falize, Lucien’s eldest son joined the firm in 1894 after his father’s death in 1897 formed a partnership with his two brothers, Jean and Pierre. The Falize brother’s became known as Falize Frères. They participated in the 1900 Exposition Universelle winning two of the Grands Prix. Their collection contained mostly pieces in the Art Nouveau style which was so fashionable at the time.
The Falize brothers obtained important commissions from Serbian Ambassador to Paris in 1904 for the Crown Jewels for King Peter I of Serbia for which André and Jean Falize were awarded the Serbian Order of St Sava for their work.
The Falize’s firm also made several presentation swords for the most prominent officers of the First World War, including the Marshals Foch and Pétain. The Belgian town of Liège commissioned one for the King of Belgium; and others were made for French authors elected to the Académie Française.
In 1930, Falize Frères was sold in order to obtain extra cash. André Falize died in 1936.
