Important Silversmiths - Joseph-Etienne Blerzy
Joseph Etienne Blerzy was a prominent goldsmith of French origin working in Paris in XVIII-XIX centuries. He specialized in ornate snuff boxes made from gold and elaborate enamels. The master was mostly active before 1806 and highly prolific: he is reported to have made approximately 40 boxes, all but one dating to the French Revolution.
Both gifted and hardworking, in 1750 Blerzy became an apprentice of a renowned French artisan, François-Joachim Aubert, who specialized in mounting tortoiseshell and lacquer snuff boxes. As the smoking culture’s popularity grew, skilfully manufactured snuff boxes by Blezry became more and more popular among the wealthy clientele.
18th Century French 18k gold snuff box, of traditional oval form, the lid set with an oval enamelled plaque depicting Venus and Cupid by an altar in an Arcadian landscape, opalescent bead frame and opal enamel borders, the ground enamelled in translucent cobalt blue over engine-turning ground.
Hallmarked with French gold guarantee marks, Paris, year 1783, Maker Jean-Etienne Blerzy.
Reference Number: A5619
These splendid boxes were delicately crafted, beautifully enamelled and often richly encrusted with precious stones – such accessories were not only a true symbol of exquisite taste and opulence, but also served as honorary gifts for foreign dignitaries or military commanders.
Joseph Etienne Blerzy’s first shop was opened in 1786 under the sign of “ville de Leipzig'' and sponsored by Blerzy’s master, the goldsmith François-Joachim Aubert. Until 1785, the shop was situated on the Pont au Change, and then moved to the Rue de la Monnaie 41, where it kept welcoming noble clients until circa 1798. The latest location of Blerzy’s shop was recorded to be at the Rue du Coq St. Honoré. After the goldsmith’s retirement in 1808, the business was taken over and successfully run by Etienne-Lucien’s widow, Victoire Boisot.
Along with Jean-Marie Teron and Jean-Valentin Morel, Joseph-Etienne Blerzy was undoubtedly one of the most important French goldsmiths of his time. His superb pieces, especially snuff boxes of unsurpassed quality, are often compared to the items of England’s most honoured goldsmiths and silversmiths, such as Paul de Lamerie and George Hall.
18th Century French 18k gold & enamel snuff box, of oblong shape, lid, sides and base applied with translucent red / amber enamel panels over a spot and wavy engine-turned ground, the borders chased and enamelled with simulated opals and leaves.
Hallmarked with the maker's mark for Joseph-Etienne Blerzy, charge and discharge of Jean-Baptiste Fouache.
Reference Number: A5742
