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Aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles, les orfèvres ardennais réalisaient des pièces de très haute qualité. Les villes de Charleville, Mézières, Rethel et, en premier lieu, Sedan, étaient d'importants centres de production d'orfèvrerie civile et religieuse. De cette splendeur passée, il ne reste que de très rares objets, aujourd'hui rassemblés et présentés dans cet ouvrage, qui apporte un éclairage indispensable sur les techniques de fabrication de l'orfèvrerie. Fonte, travail au marteau, repoussé, ciselure, brunissage, dorure et vermeil sont largement commentés, ainsi que la signification des poinçons et le fonctionnement de la corporation des orfèvres, qui formaient de véritables dynasties d'artisans. Ainsi à travers cet art, c'est toute l'histoire des Ardennes que nous propose de découvrir ce livre, fruit de minutieuses recherches effectuées dans les archives locales, à travers registres paroissiaux, recensements, arbres généalogiques et saisies révolutionnaires. De quoi satisfaire la curiosité du professionnel comme celle de l'amateur.