Massaux

The story of the Antwerp firm Massaux began at 15 Otto Veniusstraat, where C.E. Morrens had had a jewellery shop since 1879. Maurice Massaux bought it and changed the name to Massaux. According to his own statement, C. Morrens had worked for twelve years in the 'first houses of Paris, London, New-York, Newark' and had his workshop in the 'Rue du Chaperon' (Huikstraat) nr. 46 (1883) and later in the Otto Veniusstraat nr. 23 (1899). In 1920 Maurice Massaux took part in an exhibition organised by the Belgian jewellers' association. In this period he was also a delegate of the 'Chambre Syndicale des Patrons-Orfèvres d'Anvers'. Ten years later, now established at Mechelsesteenweg nr. 14, he exhibited at the world exhibition of Antwerp. After 1921, the business continued under the name of Massaux-Habib. Charles Habib (' 1965) signed on 28 July 1949, as manager, business manager, ... (?) a letter to Vansteeger. In 1929 the building was extended with space for workshops for the successful production of jewellery for the Middle East; Anthony's archive includes sketchbooks and photo books of art deco jewellery. Habib, who was also a diamond dealer and secretary of the Antwerp Diamond Club, gave Edmond Rochtus the opportunity to bring together the Massaux and Anthony companies at this address, thus establishing the present-day ANTHONY.

• Nationality

  Belgium