Guidon, Rémond & Gide

Guidon, Rémond & Gide is the name of one of the world famous companies founded in Geneva and run by a brilliant jeweller and goldsmith of French origin, Jean-George Rémond (1752-1830), in 1792-1801. Son of goldsmith Johannes Rémond, the future jeweller lived in the German city of Hanau, one of the largest European centres of the art of goldsmithing, and mastered his craft in the cities of London, Berlin and Paris. He was active in Geneva from 1783 until 1820.

One of the most prominent goldsmiths in Europe specializing in musical automatons and gold boxes, Rémond was officially awarded the title of Goldsmith-Jeweller on December 22, 1783 after having presented one of his works of art, an oval snuff box in gold covered with an enamelled scene. Later on these very snuff boxe became Rémond’s key item.

 Guidon, Rémond & Gide was neither the first nor the only company founded by Rémond. In cooperation with his partners, also talented artisans, he managed to establish a spectacular enterprise with headquarters in Geneva and Hanau, though producing and shipping items worldwide. The first company founded was called “Georges Rémond & Cie”, at the same time Rémond’s first identification hallmark, as well as trademark was registered. Since the co-founders registered a new company as soon as the term of the previous one expired, both the trademark and the hallmark underwent insignificant changes, yet they were still recognizable. 

Jean-George Rémond and his partners founded about five companies, out of which “Georges Rémond & Cie” was the first. They stamped their products with different hallmarks: "GRC” under the crown with branches, "GRC” under the crown, "IGR & C". Later on, in cooperation with prominent artisans, Joseph Guidon, David Gide, Laurent Guisseling and Jean-Noël Lamy, Rémond founded “Guidon Remond Gide & Co” and the hallmark was changed to "GRG". Among other companies run by Rémond were “Rémond Gide & Co”, “Remond Lamy & Co” (with the hallmark “RL & C"), “Jean Georges Rémond et Compagnie” and “Remond Lamy Mercier & Co” (with the hallmark "IGRC").

Rémond’s companies’ jewellery manufacturing and trade always achieved significant success and were in high demand. With approximately a hundred employees, the company produced items that were incredibly popular amongst the high end clientele in the cities of Paris and London and were also sold in China, India, Russia and Germany. 

Rémond is renowned for his intricate gold snuff boxes, notable for the application of a translucent enamel over a gold surface guilloche, and engraving and edging made of pearls.