Maison Aucoc

Although the firm Maison Aucoc was formally established in 1877, its roots trace back to Jean-Baptiste Casimir Aucoc, who began working as a silversmith in Paris in 1821. He specialised in dressing and travelling cases, catering to an elite clientele. Aucoc gained recognition through participation in several French national exhibitions, including those of 1827, 1839, and 1844. His craftsmanship was further acknowledged on an international stage when he won a prize medal at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851.

In 1854, Casimir Aucoc was succeeded by his son Louis Aucoc, who significantly expanded the business. Under his leadership, the firm secured prestigious royal appointments, supplying silverware to King Louis Philippe I and later to Emperor Napoleon III. These commissions cemented Aucoc’s reputation as one of the leading French silversmiths of the 19th century.

Following Louis Aucoc’s retirement in the mid-1870s, his son Louis Aucoc Jr. took over the firm. In 1877, he acquired the jewellery house Lobjois and rebranded it as Maison Aucoc. The company became known for its exquisite Art Nouveau jewellery, reflecting the stylistic trends of the late 19th century. Notably, renowned jeweller René Lalique apprenticed at Aucoc between 1876 and 1878 before establishing his own celebrated career in jewellery and glassmaking.

By 1900, the firm's direction shifted when Louis’ younger brother, André Aucoc (1856–1911), assumed control. Under his management, Maison Aucoc refocused on fine silverware, maintaining the brand’s historic emphasis on luxurious metalwork. André continued to uphold the company's reputation, serving as the official supplier to the French court and aristocracy.

André Aucoc passed away in 1911, and the company remained within the family until 1932, when his elder brother Louis Jr. also died. Maison Aucoc eventually ceased operations, but its legacy endures through surviving works that exemplify the pinnacle of French craftsmanship in both jewellery and silverware.