Adrien-Jean-Maximilien Vachette (born 9 January 1753 inCauffry – deceased 23 September 1839 inParis) was a Frenchgoldsmith best known for the production ofornate gold boxes and the use of unusual and natural materials liketortoiseshell.
Adrien Vachette was born inCauffry and possibly apprenticed with Pierre-François Drais, who sponsored him for a master's certificate 21 July 1779.[1] He had a shop atPlace Dauphine inParis, and worked for a time withMarie-Etienne Nitot during theFirst Empire, and with the firm of Ouizille and Lemoine after the restoration of the monarchy:[2] In 1816, Charles Ouizille and Adrien Vachette became the official jewellers ofLouis XVIII's court.[3]
Notable students includeJean-Valentin Morel, who apprenticed with Vachette before opening his own shop in Paris.
Adrien Vachette was a prolific designer and one of the most noted master craftsman of his generation.[4] The use of unusual and natural materials like tortoise shell was characteristic of Vachette's work.[5]
Vachette created the design for theMiraculous Medal, or the Medal of theImmaculate Conception, after SaintCatherine Labouré's vision of the BlessedVirgin Mary. He produced and sold over two million of the medals between 1832 and 1836.[6]
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