| | Falize, since 1838 is a famous French jeweller, well-known for its cloisonné enamelling and Japanese-inspired designs.
In 1832 Alexis Falize started as an apprentice with Mellerio dit Meller, where he learned. Three years later he started to work for Janisset (it was rumoured that the reaont o leave Mellerio was to improve his marriage prospects). In 1838 he opened his own workshop. ”Such were the beginnings of this highly talented jeweller, whose work as a designer and manufacturer was so significant” (Henri Vever) In the early 1860’s he experimented with the art of enamlling. In 1871 Falize introduced a new method of cloisonné enamelling. His son Lucien (1839-1897) assumed control of the Falize workshops. Having trained with his father for the previous two decades he proved a competent and skilled designer, as well as an goldsmith and enemellist. Like his father his designs were inspired in almost every historical era and many cultures, especially the Renaissanc and Japanese art.
GERMAIN BAPST, descendant of the former French Crown Jewelers BAPST, suggested a partnership betrween he two companies which was formalized in 1880. Both the two partners were widely respected for their professional skils and proved very successful. The partnership was dissolved in 1892. After Lucien’s death in 1897 his to sons continued the business as Falize Frères, producing beautiful Art Nouveau jewels.
The maker’s mark of the coloborative work of Bapst and Falize is ”a distinct monogram featuring a diamond ring and a pearl drop with the letters B&F”
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