A HOUSE STEEPED IN HISTORY AND TRADITION
Agry remains deeply committed to preserving exclusively French production and passing on its creative expertise.
Strong in its independence and supported by a solid family structure, it embodies a true entrepreneurial spirit that over time, has become a unique model. As early as the 19th century, it earned a reputation for excellence in the manufacture and supply of livery buttons, intended for the valets of the great aristocratic families of France and abroad.
Over 5,000 original matrices are still preserved in its archives, bearing witness to this unique heritage.
THEN AND NOW
For two centuries, generations of families and institutions across the world have placed their trust in us to create signet rings, seals and personalised stationery.
This loyalty bears witness to our constant commitment to the quality of our creations and to the preservation of our expertise in heraldry and engraving, which is unique both in France and in Europe.
Since 1825, Agry has designed and made to measure more than 35,000 signet rings, delivered to all four corners of the world.
To bring your projects to life, we utilise our heraldic expertise, our craftsmanship as jewellers and the wealth of our rich archives, with contain with hundreds of original drawings, both heraldic and on themes such as silver engraving, hunting badges, etc.
THE SHOP
Agry was founded in 1825 when the arcades of the rue de Castiglione and the rue de Rivoli were built in Paris, and the historic boutique stood between the Place Vendôme and the Tuileries Gardens.
After 197 years at 14 rue de Castiglione, the company was forced to move due to the sale of the building in 2022 and relocated to the 8th arrondissement at 60-62 rue François 1er, near the Champs-Elysées.
The only Parisian house to have preserved the “Charles X” style, its period woodwork and marquetry, made from bird’s-eye maple and inlaid with amaranth, reflect a unique refinement. The period furniture and decor have been moved and restored to take their place in the new shop, recreating this historic setting.
Parentage
1825 Louis-Charles Bouvet
The story begins in Paris in 1825, when Louis-Charles Bouvet set up a heraldic engraving workshop. A renowned French medallist and sculptor, he worked mainly for the Paris mint.
François Marie AGRY 1824 – 1893
The company became known as “Maison Bouvet, Agry successeur” and was passed on to François Marie Agry, who added his name to that of the company in 1863. Eventually, only the name Agry remained.
François-Marie Agry had two children with his first wife, Madeleine Long, the young widow of Mathias Pündel. The Agry couple had no further children.
Jeanne Pündel, daughter of the deceased Mathias Pündel, married Alexandre Baillieu. Jeanne had a son, François Baillieu.
Eugène Chouet
In 1888, François Marie AGRY sold his business to a cousin, Eugène Chouet.
Gustave Lambert 1856 – 1940
Gustave Lambert, an engraver at Maison Agry and Place Vendôme, was the father of Suzanne Lambert, wife of François Baillieu.
François Baillieu 1878 – 1970
He was the son-in-law of François Marie Agry. He married Suzanne Lambert, daughter of Gustave Lambert, a talented glyptic engraver and ran the AGRY company for many years.
The couple had three children, including Jean Baillieu.
Jean Baillieu 1909 – 2006
The son of François Baillieu, he was born in 1909.
He joined the company in 1930 and worked with his father, designing numerous items of jewellery. He married Yvonne Bletel in 1933, and the couple had three children, including Michèle Baillieu, born in 1934. He became company director in 1964 and was assisted in the business by his wife, Yvonne Baillieu.
JACQUES GAVINET 1931 – 2017
Jacques Gavinet married Michèle Baillieu, becoming Jean Baillieu’s son-in-law, and joined the company in 1954. The couple had two children: Catherine born in 1955 and Jean-Pierre, born in 1960.
Michelle Baillieu works alongside her husband, assisting him behind the scenes.
In 1974 he succeeded his father-in-law as the head of Agry.
Catherine GAVINET
Born in 1955, a former student of the École Estienne, she trained in intaglio engraving with Pierre Forget. She also became familiar with other engraving techniques.
In 1976 Catherine married Didier Hacquebart, also a former student of the École Estienne and a lithographer trained by Mr Gallas. They have two children: Gabriel born in 1979, and Matthieu born in 1983.
Catherine Hacquebart has been with the company as an engraver and designer since 1975, and took over the reins 19 years later, in 1994. She was joined by her brother the same year.
She gently revolutionised the House of Agry, designing and engraving ex libris, creating and painting coats of arms and monograms, and designing jewellery.
Didier Hacquebart has actively helped and participated in the running of the company over all these years.
Jean-Pierre Gavinet
Catherine’s brother, a graduate of the École Estienne and trained in relief engraving by Christian Bessigneul, joined his sister in 1994 and held the position of Technical Sales Manager until 2020.
His knowledge of the different engraving techniques enabled him to apply them to a variety of commissions on a case-by-case basis. During this long period, he received and advised customers on signet rings, stationery, buttons and venery and was responsible for the layout of all graphic and photographic work, as well as designing numerous items of jewellery.
Gabriel HACQUEBART
The eldest son of Catherine Hacquebart, Gabriel holds a Master’s degree in history and a Master’s in management and marketing from ESG in Paris. Gabriel joined the family business in 2020, becoming Sales Director of Maison Agry in 2021, and continuing to develop the company by bringing a fresh perspective.
