Jean-Jacques Keller

Jean-Jacques Keller (1635–1700) and his brother Jean-Balthazar Keller (1638–1702) were Swiss gunfounders from Zürich, in the service of France.

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).

Keller cannons, Les Invalides.

Emblem on Le Protecteur.

Dragon handle on Le Protecteur.

Jean-Jacques was considered one of the most skillful founders of France.^[1] In 1669, he became "Master of the foundries" (Commissaire des Fontes) at Douai. He also established other foundries in Besançon, Breisach and Pinerolo.^[2] His work was integral part of the plan established by Louvois in 1666 to have the army and artillery reorganized.

Jean-Jacques Keller Canon de 24 (24-pounder cannon), Le Protecteur, founded in 1683. Caliber: 151 mm (5.9 in). Length: 320 mm (13 in). Weight: 2,271 kg (5,007 lb).

His brother Jean-Balthasar was rather involved with the founding of statues.^[2] He famously founded the statue of Louis XIV then located in the Place Vendôme, in December 1692,^[3] in a single piece, something never achieved before.^[2] The statue was destroyed during the French Revolution on 10 August 1792.^[4]

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.^[2]

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The technology they employed, involving the founding of cannons around a plaster core, was superseded by the De Vallière system in 1732.

See also

Media related to Jean-Jacques Keller at Wikimedia Commons