Maison Cardeilhac was a renowned French

silversmith A silversmith is a metalworker who crafts objects from silver. The terms ''silversmith'' and ''goldsmith'' are not exact synonyms, as the techniques, training, history, and guilds are (or were, at least) largely the same but differed in that t ...

house that was established in 1804 by Antoine-Vital Cardeilhac. Originally specializing in cutlery and flatware, the company was led by his son Armand-Edouard Cardeilhac from 1851. It was during this period that the house experienced significant growth and expansion. In 1885, Ernest Cardeilhac (1851-1904), the son of Armand-Edouard Cardeilhac, took over the management of the company after completing an apprenticeship with the silversmith Harleux. Under his leadership, Maison Cardeilhac began producing exquisite

gold Gold is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol Au (from Latin ) and atomic number 79. In its pure form, it is a brightness, bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal ...

and

silver Silver is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Ag () and atomic number 47. A soft, whitish-gray, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and reflectivity of any metal. ...

pieces of fine craftsmanship. To facilitate this new direction, Ernest Cardeilhac organized workshops dedicated to this specific type of production and acquired the assets of the esteemed Lebon house. Assisted by three talented artists, namely the designer Lucien Bonvallet, the sculptor Aiguier, and the engraver Viat, Ernest Cardeilhac presented his first works at the 1889 Universal Exposition, where he was awarded a silver medal. The pieces showcased at the 1900 Universal Exposition garnered great acclaim, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Lucien Bonvallet, whose designs featured elegant and understated botanical-inspired ornamentation. These designs also incorporated materials such as wood, ivory, and patinas, which brought a unique touch to the metalwork. In 1904, Ernest Cardeilhac passed the reins of the company to his two sons,

Jacques Jacques or Jacq are believed to originate from the Middle Ages in the historic northwest Brittany region in France, and have since spread around the world over the centuries. To date, there are over one hundred identified noble families related t ...

and

Pierre Pierre is a masculine given name. It is a French form of the name Peter. Pierre originally meant "rock" or "stone" in French (derived from the Greek word πέτρος (''petros'') meaning "stone, rock", via Latin "petra"). It is a translation ...

. They continued the legacy of Maison Cardeilhac, upholding the reputation for exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs. In 1951, the Maison Cardeilhac brand was acquired by

Christofle Christofle is a luxury French silverware and tableware company founded in Paris in 1830 by Charles Christofle. The company is known for having introduced electrolytic gilding and silver plating in France in 1842. The company was acquired in ...

, a prominent name in the luxury silverware industry. The acquisition ensured the continuation of Maison Cardeilhac's legacy and its integration into a wider network of renowned silversmiths.

References

{{Authority control French silversmiths 19th-century French artisans Luxury brands