Iconic Jewelers of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais Region: The House of Falize

The North of France—particularly Lille, Valenciennes, and Arras—saw the development of a strong tradition of metalwork and jewelry-making as early as the 18th century, often linked to religious goldsmithing. In the 19th century, the rise of commerce and an emerging industrial bourgeoisie fostered the growth of jewelry houses, specializing in retail and sometimes in creation. Among them, the House of Falize, founded in Paris in 1838 by Alexis Falize, stands as one of the key figures in 19th-century artistic jewelry.


Lucien Falize
Pendant in 18k yellow gold and multicolored enamel featuring two entwined C’s adorned with chimeras,
at the center a natural pearl accented with a cluster of rose-cut diamonds, and another natural pearl as a drop.
Circa 1889. In a Bapst and Falize-shaped case – convertible to a brooch.
Sold for €17,000

Alexis, followed by his son Lucien Falize, introduced into jewelry-making complex techniques such as cloisonné enamel, inspired by Japanese and Byzantine goldsmithing. They played a major role in establishing jewelry as a form of fine art, particularly through their participation in the Universal Exhibitions of 1878 and 1889. Lucien was also one of the pioneers of Art Nouveau in the field of jewelry.


Alexis Falize, circa 1869
Reversible brooch

Although the company is historically Parisian, Falize’s current presence in Lille—with a boutique and specialized workshop—reflects a lasting connection to the region. This local anchoring highlights the historical importance of Northern clientele for prestigious Parisian houses and illustrates the ongoing dialogue between regional tradition and high-end artistic creation.