Fouquet was a French jeweller known for his Renaissance revival and Art Nouveau pieces. In 1839, the firm's founder Alphonse Fouquet began working as an apprentice for the Parisian jeweller Henri Meusnier. After suffering years of mistreatment as a young apprentice, Fouquet got his big break in 1847, becoming a fine jewellery designer for M.Pinard. Fouquet opened his own shop in 1860, first focusing on archaeological revival jewellery followed by turning to the Renaissance revival style in the 1870s and 80s. Alphonse went on to create some of the most iconic pieces of revival jewellery from his time, creating fantastical designs that included sphinxes, dragons, mermaids, putti and other mythological characters. Many of his fine jewellery pieces have been described as "absolutely flawless" and are recognised by their fine chasing, enamelling and diamonds.
