Jean-Valentin Morel (1794-1860), un bijoutier parisien à l’époque romantique

Goldsmith, jeweller and precious stones craftsman, Jean-Valentin Morel counts among the masters of the Parisian romantic jewellery, which flourished between 1830 and 1850. After having learnt all the subtleties of the art of adornment as a foreman at Fossin’s between 1834 and 1840, he became famous thanks to his partnership with Henri Duponchel, which enabled him to found his own business, Morel and Co., active from 1842 to 1848, well known, in particular, for its production of «goldsmith jewels », associating sculptured or carved figures with enamels and stones, embedding themes and styles in a romantic mood. Morel had to move to London from 1848 to 1853, where he met with some success, chiefly thanks to fashionable trinkets, but also jewels. Back in France and settled in Sèvres, he busied himself in hi» last years with the creation of adornments mixing gold and hard stones, inlaid with rubies and diamonds. Jean-Valentin Morel’s jewels, highly reputed in his time, demonstrate a high degree of know-how and a remarkable sense of innovation.