Jean-Jacques Keller
Illustration — Signature of Jean-Jacques Keller on 1683 cannon Le Protecteur: "Kelleri Tiguro" (i.e. "Keller the Tigurini", of the Tigurini people of the Zürich region). • Illustration — Keller cannons, Les Invalides. • Illustration — Emblem on Le Protecteur. • Illustration — Dragon handle on Le Protecteur. Jean-Jacques Keller (1635–1700) and his brother Jean-Balthazar Keller (1638–1702) were Swiss gunfounders from Zürich, in the service of France.
Also recorded as Hans Jakob Keller
Jean-Jacques Keller
Gérard Edelinck, d'après Nicolas de Largillièr · château de Versaille · Public domain
- Born
- 1635 · Zurich.
- Died
- 1700 · Colmar.
- Nationality
- Switzerland
- Occupation
- metallurgist · goldsmith · founder
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Illustration — Signature of Jean-Jacques Keller on 1683 cannon Le Protecteur: "Kelleri Tiguro" (i.e. "Keller the Tigurini", of the Tigurini people of the Zürich region). • Illustration — Keller cannons, Les Invalides. • Illustration — Emblem on Le Protecteur. • Illustration — Dragon handle on Le Protecteur. Jean-Jacques Keller (1635–1700) and his brother Jean-Balthazar Keller (1638–1702) were Swiss gunfounders from Zürich, in the service of France.
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wikidata · Q116843 · wikipedia · Jean-Jacques Keller
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Jean-Jacques was considered one of the most skillful founders of France. In 1669, he became "Master of the foundries" (Commissaire des Fontes) at Douai. He also established other foundries in Besançon, Breisach and Pinerolo. His work was integral part of the plan established by Louvois in 1666 to have the army and artillery reorganized. • Illustration — Jean-Jacques Keller Canon de 24 (24-pounder cannon), Le Protecteur, founded in 1683. His brother Jean-Balthasar was rather involved with the founding of statues. He famously founded the statue of Louis XIV then located in the Place Vendôme, in December 1692, in a single piece, something never achieved before. The statue was destroyed during the French Revolution on 10 August 1792. Jean-Jacques met with trouble when some of his guns burst in 1694. He was then replaced by his brother Jean-Balthasar as Commissaire des Fontes at Douai. The two brothers had a great influence on cannon founding techniques in France, and made thousands of artillery pieces. The technology they employed, involving the founding of cannons around a plaster core, was superseded by the De Vallière system in 1732.
• Illustration — Keller 12-pounder Le Solide. Caliber: 121 mm. Length: 310 cm. Weight: 1,586 kg. 1688. • Illustration — Keller 16-pounder Le Combattant. Caliber: 134 mm. Length: 310 cm. Weight: 2,369 kg. 1674 • Illustration — Keller 16-pounder La Curiosité. Caliber: 134 mm. Length: 310 cm. Weight: 1,968 kg. 1679
Jean-Jacques Keller (1635-1700) orfèvre et fondeur
Gérard Edelinck, d'après Nicolas de Largillièr · château de Versaille
Portrait de Jean-Jacques Keller, commissaire ordinaire des fontes de l'Artillerie de France
Gérard Edelinck (d'après De Largillère) · Bibliothèque nationale de France, département Estampes et photographie
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1635
Jean-Jacques Keller born at Zurich.
1700
Jean-Jacques Keller died at Colmar.
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Zurich.
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Colmar.
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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