posted 02-13-2008 10:06 PM            

Finally, I submit a list of references on Swiss silver. All of these are either French or German language, and most are unfortunately out-of-print and not readily available in the US, although some can be found at the larger reference libraries. While I by no means have all of these at my disposal, I do have several, with photocopied information from a few others; I stand ready, as ever, to answer what questions I can. I encourage members to post photos of any Swiss silver in their collections, or items they suspect may be Swiss.

General:

Gruber, Alain Weltliches Silber (Zurich: Berichthaus, 1977) and
Lanz, Hanspeter Weltliches Silber 2 (Zürich: Schweizerisches Landesmuseum, 2001)
Catalogue of the silver collection of the Swiss National Museum in Zurich. Gruber’s book covers the collection as it was in 1977; Lanz’s covers the extensive additions 1978-2001. Both are well-illustrated, with photographs of pieces and marks. Although – as the titles suggest – the collection includes items from around the world, the primary focus is Swiss silver, and these books together constitute the best all-around guide on the subject.

By Canton:

Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, Valais & Vaud
de Vevey, Pierre-François Manuel des orfèvres de Suisse romande (Fribourg: Sotheby’s Office du Livre, 1985)
Grandjean, Marcel Argenterie du Vieux-Lausanne (Lausanne: Editions du Grand-Pont, 1984)
Matthias, A. Contrôle des Ouvrages d'Or et d'Argent à La Chaux-de-Fonds 1820-1920 (La Chaux-de-Fonds: Haefli & Co., 1920)
The makers of the French-speaking cantons are covered in de Vevey’s biographical dictionary, with the city of Lausanne covered again in Grandjean’s book. Matthias’ book, published for the centennial of the assay office in La Chaux-de-Fonds, does not have any makers, but does cover the 1820-1882 civil marks of the Vaud canton, and the new national marks of 1882. Most interesting, however, is its history of Swiss precious metal control during the 19th century, including the contentious adoption of the 14 Karat gold fineness, the creation of the national marking system of 1882 and the opening of the various assay offices.

Zürich
Lösel, Eva-Maria Zürcher Goldschmiedekunst vom 13 bis zum 19 Jahrhundert (Zürich: Berichthaus, 1983) Rittmeyer, Dora Fanny Alten Winterthurer Goldschmiede (Zürich: Leemann, 1962)
Lösel’s book is the standard reference for city of Zürich, although some of the information (particularly regarding the marks of the 19th century guild wardens) was clarified and ammened in Lanz, above. The city of Winterthur is covered by the pioneering Dora Fanny Rittmeyer, whose works include early histories of the silverware of several cantons, including:

Appenzell Innerrhoden
Rittmeyer, D. F. Kirchliche und weltliche Goldschmiedearbeiten in Appenzell-Innerrhoden in “Innerrhoder Geschichtsfreund”, v. 11 (1964)

Luzern
Rittmeyer, D. F. Geschichte der Luzerner Silber- und Goldschmiedekunst In “Luzern, Geschichte und Kultur” v. 4 (1941)

and St Gallen
Rittmeyer, D. F. Rapperswiler Goldschmiedekunst in “Mitteilungen der antiquarischen Gesellschaft in Zürich”, v. 34 (1949)
Rittmeyer, D. F. Goldschmiedehandwerks in der Stadt St. Gallen In “Neujahrsblatter vom Historischen Verein des Kantons St.Gallen”, v. 70 (1930)
Rittmeyer, D. F. Goldschmiedewerke der Kathedrale in St.Gallen In “Neujahrsblatter vom Historischen Verein des Kantons St.Gallen”, v. 71 (1931)
Rittmeyer, D. F. Kirchenschätze im St. Galler Linthgebiet (Uznach: Gebr. Oberholzer, 1948)
Rittmeyer, D. F. Goldschmiede und die Kirchenschätze in der Stadt Wil (St.Gallen: Fehrschen, 1963)
Covering the cities of Rapperswil, St. Gallen & Wil

Basel
Barth, Ulrich Basler Goldschmiede 1267-1989 (Basel: Historiches Museum Basel, 1987)
Unfortunately no marks here, but an extensive biographical section on Basel makers.

Bern
Roosen-Runge, M. Goldschmiede der Stadt Bern In "Jahrbuch des Bernischen Historischen Museums in Bern" v. XXIX-XXX (1949-50)
Wyss, Robert L. Handwerkunst in Gold und Silber (Bern: Stämpfli, 1996)
Roosen-Runge’s book-length article ends with the early 19th century, but some of the slack is taken up by Wyss’ exhibition catalogue.

Schaffhausen
Ulmer, Carl Schaffhauser Goldschmiedekunst (Schaffhausen: Museum zu Allerheiligen, 1997)
Extensive biographical section, unfortunately lacking marks. Good history of the Jezler company, though, including a directory of their flatware patterns.

Zug
Kaiser, Johannes Zuger Goldschmiedekunst bis 1830 (Zug: J. Kündig, 1927)
As the title suggests, goes only to 1830, but good biographies and marks.

posted 05-28-2009 10:55 PM            

However, I post them in this, the bibliographic thread of my Swiss silver post, to let readers know of another acquisition. It is the lavish new book L’Argenterie Lausannoise des XVIIIe et XIXe Siècles: an exhaustive study of the silver of Lausanne. I am quite fond of Lausanne silver, with its emphasis on elegant form over extravagant or fussy decoration; it is strong and simple silver, yet still somehow quite sophisticated.

Hörack, Christian L’Argenterie Lausannoise des XVIIIe et XIXe Siècles
(Lausanne: Musée Historique, 2007)

This great book documents the full collection of nearly 300 items in the Musée Historique de Lausanne, along with many items from private collections. It is divided into five sections. The first section gives an a overview of 18th & 19th century Lausanne silver, including histories of important makers followed by an overview various forms, including hollowware, flatware, lighting, toiletry and travelling items, ceremonial and liturgical pieces and even scientific instruments, all abundantly illustrated with black and white photographs. The second section covers the various design influences (mostly French and English) on Lausanne silver, with a very interesting case study of the “chandelier-trompette”, a popular style of Swiss candlestick where the standard flares to form the foot, like the bell of a trumpet. There is also much information on the use of prefabricated neoclassical appliqués and medallions in the early 19th century.

Section three explores the business, craft and tools of the silversmith, and section four his clientele and patrons. Section five, the largest, contains the complete catalogue of silver at the MHL, including photographs of most items not illustrated elsewhere in the book, and followed by 75 original sketches of silver designs, the vast majority from Frères Gély. Also included is an alphabetical list of all known Lausanne silversmiths through the 19th century and their marks, with biographies of those not covered in section one. The book concludes with a quick reference table of 18th and 19th century makers, an index to the marks and another to the proper names, and a bibliography.

The text is in French, of course. It is presented on high-quality paper and in a sturdy hardcover binding with photographic boards, making a handsome and scholarly reference. The cost of 69 CHF (about $63 at present) is quite reasonable, but note that, in my experience, Swiss postal rates for books are very, very high, and the transit time frustratingly slow. Still, this book is definitely worth the cost and wait – at least in my eyes. I concede that all but the most dedicated scholar or collector would find it an extravagance, given its very narrow focus.

But it certainly merits inclusion in this bibliography of Swiss references, as it presents much new information, such as the corrected attribution in this thread: (Maker "F S" and Shield mark?)