Heritage
A house, in its own words
Marie-Étienne Nitot (1750-1809) began his career as an apprentice to Ange-Joseph Aubert, who served as jeweler to Marie-Antoinette. When Nitot established his own house in 1780, he set the foundation for what would become one of France's most enduring jewellery Maisons. His talent caught the attention of Napoleon Bonaparte, who appointed Nitot as official jeweler in 1802. Nitot designed the coronation crown for Napoleon and created numerous pieces for Empress Joséphine, including iconic parures that remain among the most celebrated jewellery commissions in history. Following Napoleon's fall in 1815, Nitot's son François-Regnault Nitot continued the business until political circumstances forced its closure. The house passed through several hands before Prosper Morieu acquired it around 1870. Under his direction and that of his successors, Chaumet became synonymous with tiaras and high jewellery during the Belle Époque, creating pieces for European aristocracy. The house moved to its current address at 12 Place Vendôme in 1907, establishing itself in the square that would become synonymous with Parisian luxury. The Art Deco period brought renewed acclaim as Chaumet embraced geometric forms and modernist design. The brand entered a new chapter in 1987 when it joined LVMH, the luxury conglomerate, while maintaining its distinctive identity and creative independence. Chaumet's approach draws from two centuries of artistic inheritance, combining classical influences with contemporary sensibility. The house looks to nature and the visual arts as primary sources of inspiration, developing collections around themes like botanical forms, classical mythology, and architectural geometry. This approach manifests across jewellery and fragrance alike, where each creation tells a coherent story rooted in the house's heritage. The brand positions itself as a keeper of French artisanal traditions, emphasizing that each piece represents the work of skilled artisans rather than industrial production. In perfumery, this translates to a considered approach where fragrance development follows the same principles as jewellery creation: careful selection of materials, deliberate composition, and attention to how the final object will be experienced over time. The house speaks of its work as contributing to a longer conversation about beauty and craftsmanship that began before the modern era. The Place Vendôme location reinforces this sense of continuity, grounding each new creation within a physical space that has witnessed centuries of artistic production.