Marie-Étienne Nitot

Marie-Étienne Nitot (Paris, 2 April 1750 – 9 September 1809) was a French jeweller, official jeweller to the Emperor Napoleon, and founder of the House of Chaumet.

Nitot's family was from Château-Thierry, he himself was born in Paris on 2 April 1750. He began in 1780 as an apprentice to Aubert, court jeweller to Queen Marie-Antoinette. He survived the French Revolution and, in 1802, was appointed jeweller to Emperor Napoleon.

With the help of his son Francois Regnault (1779–1853), Nitot created jewellery symbolising the pomp and power that Napoleon wished to convey. These include the wedding jewels of Josephine de Beauharnais and Marie Louise of Austria. Nitot also designed Napoleon's coronation crown, his ceremonial sword and many other court ornaments.

François Regnault Nitot took over from his father after his death in 1809 and continued to operate until the fall of the empire in 1815. Nitot then sold his business to his foreman, Jean-Baptiste Fossin (1786-1848).

As official jeweller to Napoleon, Nitot made a number of significant pieces. He designed the Napoleon Tiara and the Imperial Sword.

The Leuchtenberg sapphire parure, now part of the Swedish royal family jewel foundation, is attributed to Nitot. The sapphires are thought to have been a wedding gift from Napoleon to his step-daughter. Princess Augusta of Bavaria, Duchess of Leuchtenberg and then passed to the Swedish royal family with Queen Josephine.

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