Christian Precht

(b Stockholm, 30 Oct 1706; d Stockholm, 17 Sept 1779). Goldsmith, metalworker and designer, son of (1) Burchardt Precht. He was an apprentice to Gustaf Stafhell the elder (c. 1680-1761) in Stockholm from 1720 to 1727 and travelled to London to complete his training, where he worked with the jeweller Augustin Heckel (1690-1770) from Augsburg. Precht visited Paris in 1729, where he was influenced by the work of Thomas Germain and Gilles-Marie Oppenord. After his return to Stockholm in 1731 Precht established himself as an independent craftsman in the 1730s. Few extant works can be attributed to him, although his style is well known through surviving designs for tableware. Several drawings (1738) by Precht for porcelain pieces display the influence of the work of Oppenord. Precht introduced the French Rococo style into Swedish metalwork at an early date. A small, gilt-bronze portrait frame (1741; ?vedskloster Manor), the design for which also survives (Stockholm, Nmus.), is undoubtedly the earliest Swedish example of the fully mature Rococo style. The earliest and most magnificent piece of Swedish Rococo silver, a christening set consisting of a ewer and basin (1745; Ericsberg Manor, S?dermanland) has also been attributed to Precht. Several later drawings for tureens and silver tableware for the court and for individual clients show that he worked in a more developed and graceful Rococo style. He also supplied designs for the faience factory of Marieberg (founded 1758). From the mid-18th century and throughout the rest of his life Precht was involved in inheritance disputes, and his financial circumstances limited his capacity for artistic innovation.

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