In 1848, Switzerland, with its new
constitution, becomes a federal nation. This modern concept is still in
force today and guarantees the sovereignty of the cantons with the
exception of Federal matters (foreign affairs, post, customs, currency,
military organisation).
A new social, political and economic impulse is given.
That same year, in his workshop, in L'Auberson (Sainte-Croix), a dynamic
and energetic character, Alix Gueissaz, began manufacturing music boxes.
One of his sons, Jules-Louis, represented the family's firm in Teheran.
In 1900, he delivered to the Shah of Persia a luxurious music box.
He had eight children amongst whom Jules-Louis and Philippe. |
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Philippe Gueissaz |
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| Second son of Alix,
Philippe actively assisted his father. They attended together the
“Expositions Universelles de Paris” in 1878 and 1889 where they were
awarded a medal. In 1883, during the first “Swiss National Exhibition”
held in Zurich, they received a distinction which confirmed once again
the exquisite workmanship of their products.
Philippe had five children : Auguste, Arthur,
Rachel, André-Samuel and Félix.
Auguste and Félix settled down in Persia.
Auguste was busy with his transport company and he represented
Switzerland to the Shah. Félix founded an important business of walnut
wood.
Arthur and Rachel left L'Auberson to live in
Geneva.
Only André-Samuel remained to take over the
family business. |
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André-Samuel Gueissaz |
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| He was the last representative of
that epoch during when the craftsman not only had to run his company
but was also a farmer. Orders were rare.
The launch of the phonograph damaged the sales of the “cartels” (big
music boxes). That is why, in 1925, with the support of his sister
Rachel and her husband Paul Würster, André-Samuel decided to direct a
wholesale trade for colonial foods in Geneva, and did so for about
twenty years.
In 1938, some American customers appeared. A new
impetus was given to the music box.
He had four children : Roger, Edgar, René and
André-Paul. |
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André-Paul Gueissaz |
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| His training in
mechanics enabled him, from the age of 18, to implement modern
procedures. To satisfy an increasingly important demand, this
enterprising manufacturer, with his brothers’ help, enlarged the family
factory. In 1959, his commercial and technical know-how allowed him to
found, with his wife Suzanne, née Jaccard, the new company
“Gueissaz-Jaccard”. He has two children :
Pierre-André and Anne-Claude. |
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Pierre-André Gueissaz |
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| Today, Alix's great-great-grandson
devotes all his energy in improving a skill transmitted through five
generations. This last direct heir to the 200 year old industry wishes
to share his love of meticulous handcraft with a demanding clientele in
search of a beautiful object. |
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Gueissaz-Jaccard
3, Rue William
Barbey CH-1450 Sainte-Croix Switzerland
Fax +41 24 454 18 49 Phone +41 24 454 25 92
Contact
shop@gueissaz.com
If using our phone number, please note our office hours are from 8 am to 6 pm, local time. |
Estelle
music box
Automaton
music box
