Portrait of Johann Karl Bossard

Johann Karl Bossard is portrayed as a proud man on his portrait, painted by Jean Syndon Faurie in 1909. The painting, of which there are several copies, adorned the shop beside certificates and diplomas.

Swiss National Museum

The silversmith at Schwanenplatz

Some of the employees at the silversmith were Joseph Scherer (front left) and Wettstein (standing), workshop boss Friedrich Vogelsanger (standing at the back) as well as the young silversmith Horn (front right), circa 1905.

Swiss National Museum

Swiss Confederates’ cup

Bossard’s major independent creation of 1893 in the form of an impressive Baroque goblet presents the national founding myths of Switzerland. The three figures on the stem represent the Rütli Oath, the foot tells the story of William Tell and the lid shows the battle of Sempach. He combined the different historical and engraver’s models masterfully.

Swiss National Museum

A fortress as a table centrepiece

Five towers of Lucerne city’s fortifications and the town hall tower in the form of a castle. This piece was made in 1910 for John Wanamaker (1838–1922), founder and innovative manager of large-scale warehouses in Philadelphia and New York.

Swiss National Museum

Nautilus Goblet as a source of inspiration

Ink and watercolour drawing of St. Gallen goldsmith Zacharias Müller’s Nautilus Goblet from Beromünster made in 1662. Louis Weingartner, circa 1890.

Swiss National Museum

Nautilus Goblet

A goldsmith’s drawing from the 16th century was used as the template for this collector’s piece produced in Atelier Bossard circa 1895-1900.

Swiss National Museum

Serving cutlery

Original models by Zurich goldsmith Hans Peter Oeri from the 17th century were used to make the handles of this silver cutlery for Basel Colonel Rudolf Merian in 1883/84.

Swiss National Museum

A tea and coffee set for a wedding

In 1899, Johann Karl Bossard gifted this silver tea and coffee set to his daughter Maria Karoline (1872–1938) on her marriage to Josef Zemp (1869–1942), who later became deputy director of the National Museum.

Swiss National Museum

Swiss dagger

Bossard copied many historical Swiss dagger sheaths, which are popular with collectors, and combined them with newly made daggers and silverware. This gold-plated brass hilt from 1880/90 depicts the death of Virginia as told by Livy.

Swiss National Museum

View of the exhibition

National Museum

View of the exhibition

National Museum

View of the exhibition

National Museum