The Medal is an Art
Manufacture Mayaud is one of the oldest French medal manufactories, with origins dating back to 1770. "The medal is an Art" is our motto.
With more than 16 years of experience in jewellery and medals, we decided to take over this emblematic Manufactory to revive its former excellence while bringing it a touch of freshness and modernity.
Our aim is to showcase the expertise of French medal makers. An expertise we have been perfecting for many years and which we put to use in creating a collection of exceptional, exclusive medals made entirely in France.
Over the years, we have had the opportunity to acquire pieces of French religious art, and in particular a great many dies (the essential tools for striking medals, allowing very fine detail), punches and sculpted plaster models from former manufactories of Saumur.
The most prolific and oldest collection of top-flight medals is without doubt that of Mayaud.
Having managed to save this priceless heritage at the last moment, the fruit of countless hours of work and boundless creativity, is a source of great pride. We carefully preserve these fragments of history and works which we never tire of admiring and studying with childlike wonder... Yes, we are literally fascinated by this treasure...
The shapes, drawings, styles and lettering of some of these works of art are for us an infinite source of ideas to rework, modernise, reproduce and sometimes even simplify. We also study many paintings and sculptures to imagine our models and design our collections.
The techniques used are also a source of inspiration and challenge in striving, as far as possible, towards Beauty and Perfection.
From drawing to striking, by way of the art of sculpture, our team puts all its energy into developing a collection of exceptional French medals, made in France from start to finish.
Our knowledge of traditional tools and techniques, sprinkled with touches of innovation, also allows us to adapt each model for bespoke or semi-bespoke pieces to meet all your wishes.
As you will have understood, we are above all driven by a passion for beautiful objects full of meaning, and by the will to keep improving, in order to offer our Clients the very best in our field, with respect for an infinitely precious French heritage of craftsmanship.
We wish to take the time to do things properly, and to offer you small collections of high-end medals, carefully thought out and made with care.
You may find copies from fellow makers over time... But we can assure you that they will only ever be pale imitations...
Our medals are struck in noble metals: 18-karat gold, vermeil, solid silver. We also work with other rare and precious materials (gemstones, hard stones, exceptional jewellery-grade mother-of-pearl, etc.). Some of our mother-of-pearl pieces, the fruit of our passion for detail and an unreasonable amount of working time, are true lacework in material, crafted in our Paris workshop.
We hope you will take as much pleasure in browsing our website, talking with us and wearing our jewellery as we take in making it for you.
The Manufacture Mayaud team.