Jean-Jacques Keller
Swiss gunfounder
About Jean-Jacques Keller
Lived 1635 – 1700 (aged 64). Jean-Jacques Keller was a Swiss metallurgist, goldsmith and founder.
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).
Jean-Jacques Keller (1635–1700) and his brother Jean-Balthazar Keller (1638–1702) were Swiss gunfounders from Zürich, in the service of France.
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. 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.
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The technology they employed, involving the founding of cannons around a plaster core, was superseded by the De Vallière system in 1732.
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Jean-Jacques Keller?
Swiss gunfounder (1635–1700)
When was Jean-Jacques Keller born?
Jean-Jacques Keller was born on 17 December 1635 in Zurich.
When did Jean-Jacques Keller die?
Jean-Jacques Keller died on 20 January 1700 in Colmar.
What was Jean-Jacques Keller's occupation?
Jean-Jacques Keller was a metallurgist, goldsmith and founder.
What nationality was Jean-Jacques Keller?
Jean-Jacques Keller was Swiss.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Jean-Jacques Keller
· DBpedia: Jean-Jacques Keller
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jean-Jacques Keller. https://biography.guide/jean-jacques-keller/
MLA: "Jean-Jacques Keller." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jean-jacques-keller/.
Chicago: "Jean-Jacques Keller." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jean-jacques-keller/.
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