Skip to main content

Mellerio dits Meller

French

With a history spanning more than 400 years, Mellerio dits Meller is officially the oldest jewelry house in France. Known for their timeless and exquisite bracelets, rings, objets d'art and other goods, Mellerio has counted the likes of Queen Victoria, Marie-Antoinette, Marie de' Medici and other historically important figures as clients.

Mellerio’s story began in 1613 with members of the Mellerio family — descendants of Italian immigrants — who worked as goldsmiths in Paris. During the late 18th century, Jean-Baptiste Mellerio (1765-1850) sold his jewelry and trinkets in town fairs and near royal residences around France. Outside of the Palace of Versailles, his finely crafted jewelry caught the eye of Marie-Antoinette, who reportedly bought a bracelet featuring seven cameos surrounded by rubies. 

Marie-Antoinette’s patronage helped broaden Mellerio’s reach as a jeweler for many French nobles and aristocrats, and, in 1796, he opened a store at 20 Rue Vivienne in Paris. In 1800, the business relocated to the Rue du Coq St. Honoré near the Tuileries Palace and, in 1832, moved again to 9 Rue de la Paix.  

Today, Mellerio is owned and operated by the 15th generation of the Mellerio family. From their workshop above their historic boutique at 9 Rue de la Paix, they specialize in creating jewelry in styles such as Art Nouveau and Art Deco that is set with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and more. 

Among Mellerio’s most coveted pieces are its decorative boxes and cases, gold and silver-gilt figurines and sculptures, dazzling bands and engagement rings. Their fine jewelry collection also features an impeccable array of bracelets, necklaces, earrings and a range of watches.

Throughout Mellerio’s illustrious history, the house has participated in numerous exhibitions, including the World Exhibitions in London in 1862, Paris in 1867, Vienna in 1873 and again in Paris in 1878 and 1900. Mellerio exhibited at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in 1925, which brought Art Deco to a global stage, and the New York World’s Fair in 1939.

Mellerio dits Meller continues its long-standing legacy as one of the world’s finest jewelers, attracting royalty, celebrities and discerning collectors of luxury adornments.

On 1stDibs, discover a range of antique and vintage Mellerio dits Meller jewelry and objets d’art and vertu.

Average Sold Price
$15,983
Styles
Related Creators
Mellerio Dits Meller Ruby Sapphire Yellow Gold Lapel Pin Brooch
By Mellerio dits Meller
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Lovely Mellerio dits Meller Lapel Pin Brooch In shape of back of a carriage or stagecoach and its coachman in a top hat Made of Yellow Gold 750 (18k) Two lanterns of natural rubie...
Category

20th Century French Mellerio dits Meller

Materials

Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1950s Mellerio dits Meller Paris Emerald Diamond Plat. Bracelet
By Mellerio dits Meller
Located in New York, NY
This Estate bracelet by Mellerio features five stunning Emerald-cut Emeralds float within a braid of baguette and round brilliant-cut Diamonds, in a platinum setting. This unique bracelet was designed by the French jewelry house Mellerio dits Meller, founded in 1613. Emerald weight: estimated at approximately 9.00 carats total; Diamond weight: estimated at approximately 18.50 carats total. Stamped with the hallmark of a horseshoe and the letter M...
Category

1950s French Retro Vintage Mellerio dits Meller

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

MELLERIO DITS MELLER 1950 Paris Textured Mesh Bracelet In 18Kt Yellow Gold
By Mellerio dits Meller
Located in Miami, FL
Mesh bracelet designed by Mellerio-Dits Meller. This is a beautiful bold bracelet, created in Paris France by the jewelry house of Mellerio- Dits Meller, during the postwar period c...
Category

1950s French Modernist Vintage Mellerio dits Meller

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Mellerio Garnet, Diamond and Gold Cross Pendant
By Mellerio dits Meller
Located in New Orleans, LA
This remarkable openwork reliquary cross pendant by Mellerio dits Meller stands as a testament to the maison’s unparalleled craftsmanship and design legacy. Set with 36 hexagonal gar...
Category

20th Century Edwardian Mellerio dits Meller

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold

Mellerio dits Meller Antique Sapphire and Diamond Clover Bracelet
By Mellerio dits Meller
Located in London, GB
Here we have a glorious bracelet from the oldest luxury jewellery house in the world in Mellerio dits Meller. The Mellerios have been highlighted for over 400 years for their creativ...
Category

19th Century Victorian Antique Mellerio dits Meller

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Mellerio Dits Meller 18 Karat Yellow Gold Tank Bracelet
By Mellerio dits Meller
Located in New York, NY
Vintage 18 Karat Mellerio Dits Meller Bracelet 7 inches length 1 inch wide 98 grams Made in France Slip into french luxury with our Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Mellerio Dits Meller Bracelet. Crafted by the oldest jewelry house in France, with a legacy spanning over 400 years, Mellerio dits Meller has adorned royalty and historical figures such as Queen Victoria, Marie-Antoinette, and Marie de' Medici with its timeless creations. The Maison's rich history is intertwined with the fabric of French culture...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Mellerio dits Meller

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Mellerio Paris, a French Gold, Diamonds, Silver, and Smoky Quartz Carved Horse
By Mellerio dits Meller
Located in Long Island City, NY
Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamonds, Silver-Gilt, Rock-Crystal, Jade, Mother-Of-Pearl and Smoky Quartz, Carved Horse Sculpture, Jeweled Mounted Object. An extremely rare and unique, one of a kind French gold, diamonds, Silver-gilt, rock-crystal, jade, obsidian, mother-of-pearl, and smoky quartz carved jeweled sculpture "CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE", "A Legendary Horse" by Mellerio, Paris, circa 1991. Sitting on black obsidian base, the solid rock-crystal slab is finely applied with a carved smoky -quartz and jade horse with a harness mounted in 18k gold, brilliant -cut diamonds, rubies, turquoise, and amethyst chains and pendants. The top columns adorned with 18k gold and brilliant cut diamond pendants, the bottom with gold and mother of pearl plaques. The obsidian base with a plaque engraved: CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE" / N° 05 / MELLERIO DITS MELLER / PARIS / 5003 D The piece is in excellent condition and comes with a custom made wood case made for transport. It's very elegant and has French hallmarks throughout. A truly magnificent piece. Measures 10.5" high x 8.5" wide x 4" deep Founded in France in 1613 by the descendants of Italian immigrants from the Vigezzo Valley in the north of Italy, Mellerio is one of the oldest jewellery houses in Europe. The family business soon attracted the attention of the Royal Court and Marie Antoinette herself reportedly purchased a precious bracelet featuring 7 cameos surrounded by rubies in 1780. Later on, in the 19th century, Mellerio became the official supplier of the French Royal family and the Court of Netherland. Mellerio creates many jewellery items, all set with rare gems such as peridots, amethysts, aquamarines, citrines and topaz, applying for a patent, the flexible stem, a very supple and light jewellery mechanism. Mellerio remains also well known for their spectacular series of Art Nouveau jewels, created at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as for the creation of trophies rewarding some of the greatest footfall and tennis players of history. In 1993, the jewellery house launched their first watch collection. Today, Mellerio has stores in Paris, Japan and Hong Kong. July 14, 1789: this date is known throughout the world as the beginning of the French Revolution. According to a ledger belonging to House of Mellerio, this was also the day that the jeweler sold a golden key to the Comte de Coutance for 10 livres. This ledger, as well as inventories dating as far back as 1768, are the jeweler’s oldest archives. These archives have continued to grow over the years, as the House, established on rue de la Paix in Paris, still lives on today, still in the hands of the same family from Craveggia, in the North of Italy. The tumultuous history of the Mellerio family in France probably goes as far back as the Italian wars of the Renaissance, but the first official document proving their commercial activity in Paris dates back to 1613. This document is the famous royal warrant awarded by Marie de Medici to a number of Italian families established along the rue des Lombards, including the Mellerios, allowing them to sell “small jewelery items”, therefore granting them a small exception to the traditional monopoly enjoyed by Parisian jewelers. At that time, powerful corporations regulated the operations and customs of Parisian business, but thanks to this exceptional warrant, the Mellerios managed to escape the confines of this framework. Today, this wax-sealed document is kept at the city hall of Craveggia. From 1613 to the Revolution, the Mellerios lived between France and Italy. The corporations tried many times to put an end to their trade privileges, but all in vain, as a dynasty of sovereigns renewed the warrant. Always marrying and often retiring in Craveggia, the Mellerios continued to maintain their jewelry business in Paris. At first, they did this without a shop. Wearing backpacks (wooden boxes divided into small compartments where jewels were kept), they would tour town fairs around Paris and royal castles. This is how Jean-Baptiste Mellerio (1765-1850) is said to have sold a bracelet set with rubies and Antique cameos to Marie-Antoinette, which still exists today. Many elements seem to prove the veracity of this anecdote. The queen was particularly fond of cameos, which cover the entire background of her famous jewelry cabinet, and ruby was her favorite stone after diamond. The famous bracelet, reacquired a few years ago by the House of Mellerio, is indeed an 18th century jewel, set with antique cameos representing the profiles of Roman emperors. Two branches of the family were operating in Paris during this time, under the reign of Louis XVI: that of Jean-François (1746-1828), the paternal ancestor of the current Mellerios, and that of Jean-Baptiste (1765-1850). The French Revolution forced them to return to Italy. However, both Jean-Baptiste and François Mellerio (1772-1843), who was the son of Jean-François, were eventually able to return to Paris after the founding of the Consulate. Jean-Baptiste opened a shop at the Iron Crown of rue Vivienne, and François opened his at the Palais des Tuileries, rue du Coq Saint-Honoré. His well-organized order books give an idea of his high-ranking clientele during the “Old Regime”, among which were the Comte and Comtesse Octave de Segur, the Marquise (later Duchess) de Tourzel, former governess of the royal children, and her daughter, the Comtesse de Bearn, the Craufurds -who organized the flight to Varennes, the Duc and Duchess de Gramont, the Comtesse de Boigne, and Madame de Souza, Talleyrand’s mistress. We also see the names of the imperial family: Empress Josephine, the Queen of Holland, Princess Elisa, Caroline and Pauline. At that time, the House of Mellerio specialized, among other things, in the trade of antique cameos, a newly fashionable genre of jewel that captured the imagination of all the princesses and noble women of the time. The years of the Restauration and July Monarchy were among the most glorious. The Bourbons were back on the throne, and the clientele of the House of Mellerio had regained its former wealth. Mellerio supplied Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as well as his mother, wife and sister, with sumptuous jewels, including a set of emeralds made piece by piece, while the Duke of Bourbon, last prince of the House of Condé, offered diamonds to his mistress, the scheming Baronne de Feucheres, and Monsieur de LaFayette also bought cameos for one of his granddaughters. For the first time, Mellerio ventured into the world of arts in 1815, when Carlotta Grisi, a famous dancer who created Giselle, as well as an actress named Rachel, bought jewels at the Mellerio store on rue de la Paix. 1848 marked a new turning point. France once again became a Republic. François Mellerio handed the company over to his son, Jean, and the latter decided to travel to Spain to build a new clientele. He later became one of the jewelers of the royal family, and met Eugénie de Montijo, who remained a faithful client when she became empress of the French people. The Imperial years were lavish. During the Second Empire, Paris was a pageant of crinoline dresses designed by Worth, while jewels by Mellerio, Worth’s neighbour on the rue de la Paix, adorned the noble women of the Tuileries court. The Empress bought pearls. Mathilde Bonaparte...
Category

20th Century French Mellerio dits Meller

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Jade, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Ruby, Turquoise, Gold, Si...

Mellerio dits Meller 18K Gold demi-parure Necklace 58g
By Mellerio dits Meller
Located in Rugby, England
Necklace composed of polished gold oval links alternating with textured gold knots, length approximately 410mm, signed Mellerio, numbered, maker's marks for Mulnet et Cie, French ass...
Category

2010s French Mellerio dits Meller

Materials

18k Gold

Browse all Jewelry from Mellerio dits Meller
Shop Now

Mellerio dits Meller Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$27,000Link BraceletsGold, 18k GoldCirca 1945
2025$1,500Cufflinks18k Gold, Yellow Gold1946
$15,983
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$1,500-$30,466
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Mellerio Dits Meller jewelry watches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Mellerio dits Meller jewelry watches available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Mellerio dits Meller jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Mellerio dits Meller diamond jewelry watches, from our inventory of 9, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 17 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. Retro and Art Deco are among the most popular styles of Mellerio dits Meller jewelry watches available on 1stDibs. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider jewelry watches by Mellerio, Pierre Sterlé, and Sasportas. Prices for Mellerio dits Meller jewelry watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,880 and tops out at $280,200, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $11,677.

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed