Jean-Charles Cahier

Jean-Charles Cahier, renowned as the silversmith to Kings Louis XVIII and Charles X, began his career as an apprentice under Martin-Guillaume Biennais, a notable silversmith appointed by Napoleon Bonaparte. By 1801, he achieved the status of master silversmith and, following Biennais's retirement in 1821, he assumed control of his esteemed workshop.

Cahier's contributions extended beyond royal commissions; he undertook numerous ecclesiastical projects as well. The French register of historic church silver documents 86 pieces bearing his mark, predominantly consisting of reliquaries, fonts, and processional crosses. Among his significant works is the reliquary of the Crown of Thorns, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 and designed by the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc for Notre-Dame de Paris. He also crafted a prominent reliquary for Reims Cathedral.

In addition to his religious creations, Cahier produced remarkable secular works, including an extravagant gilt-silver dinner service commissioned by Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich of Russia (1798–1849), which was sold at Christie’s in 2004. Notably, he contributed to the coronation set for Charles X in 1825, further solidifying his reputation in the world of fine silverware.

Despite his prominent position within the restored Bourbon regime, Cahier's business faced financial difficulties and ultimately declared bankruptcy in 1828. His legacy, however, endures through the exquisite pieces he created, showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship of early 19th-century French silversmithing.