Jeweler Son of a Powder-Horn Mogul
A Powder-Flask is a flask that held gunpowder and was carried by
a variety of shootists…used for reloading in order to fire a
charge. A Powder-Horn is such a flask when made from the horn of
a cow or an ox. And our jeweler’s father was a manufacturer of
such horns. And so folks, from such humble beginnings grew the
titanic figure of the King of Jewelers.
He was born in 1819. By the time he was thirty five he had
apprenticed…he had taken over the shop of Picard, his employer
at that time…and he had opened up his own business in the Rue
Neuve-Des-Petits-Champs, in Paris. He had culled, at that time, a
private clientele, and catered only to them from his shop.
However, after a short six years, he opened a new showroom which
heralded the beginning of a meteoric rise for the artistry of one
of the world’s most talented jewelers.
Our hero was only thirty six when the Countess of Nieuwerkerke
entered his shop for the first time. Her husband was associated
with Napoleon III and was also a friend to Princess Mathilde,
niece of Napoleon I. Our jeweler, you could say, was well
connected. However, connected shmunnected…it all ain’t no good
if you ain’t got no talent.
Our jeweler created many stunning pieces…which led him to
becoming a jeweler by special appointment to many of the royal
households of France. He was the official jeweler to the crowned
heads of Europe. At one time, our jeweler supplied twenty seven
tiaras for the marriage of King Edward VII of England. He
produced prodigious quantities of jewelry for the royalty, which
led the Prince of Wales to one day remark that he, our jeweler,
was not only the King of Jewelers, but also the Jeweler of Kings.
By 1874, one of the sons of our jeweler, took over his father’s
shop. By 1898, the son was joined by his son…who ultimately
inherited Papa’s business. It was this grandson who had the
acumen to propel the business to the great heights it has today.
As the firm grew, they opened new stores. One was in Paris. One
was in London. One was in St. Petersburg. And one was in New
York. The business was family run, and they all trusted one
another to the degree that allowed them to prosper, and prosper,
and, well, prosper.
Aside from traditional jewelry, one of the great grandsons began
to create gem studded table clocks. Some of these clocks were so
incredible…so so incredible, that I thought, hey, why not
hoist up a picture. So, when y’all get to the end of this li’l
Tidbit, you can go to my home page, scroll down the table menu,
and “click” on the Tidbits Graphic. It’s worth a look-see.
I don’t want to keep this long…there’s a great deal to tell
about this family that grew to great fame and success from the
beginnings of the son of a Powder-Horn manufacturer. Our
jeweler’s name was Louis-Fancois Cartier. So let me just tell
you a wee bit about the clock before y’all go take a look. It is
made of Gold and Silver. It contains 1540 diamonds, 1 ruby, 12
emeralds, 230 green tourmalines, 230 iolites, 140 pink
tourmalines, 160 citrines, and is also made of mother-of- pearl
and lapis lazuli and onyx. It’s called “Le Flamboyant” table
clock.
And there ya have it.
That’s it for this week folks.
Catch you all next week.
Benjamin Mark
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