Under the leadership of Francesc d’Assis Carreras I Mata’s four grandsons during the 1860s-70s Carreras was especially productive. With the combined energy and attention of the four brothers the firm expanded gaining a greater reputation for its splendid jewels fashioned in the lavish Belle-Epoque and traditional Spanish styles. This period saw the company’s heyday, with Carreras exhibiting across Spain in Fairs in Saragossa and Cadiz and in 1888 they were awarded a gold medal at the International Exhibition in Barcelona. Four years earlier they had expanded their business with the opened of a second retail location.

In 1915 Carreras merged with another historic Spanish family jewellery business, ‘Masriera’. The merger was orchestrated by the 5th generation, Joaquin Carreras I Nolla, and the three Masriera brothers. The result was the newly formed and renamed, ‘Masriera Hermanos y Joaquin Carreras’ which opened an impressive new premisses at 26 Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona. This new location was at the heart of the city’s fashion district, which was then seized by the new art and architectural revolution, ‘Modernisme’ or Art Nouveau movement. Surrounded by the sculptural facades of Guadi’s designs, ‘Masriera Hermanos y Joaquin Carreras’ embraced the new style, creating jewellery filled with movement of sinuous lines and undulating organic forms.

The merge was successful. Only two years after its formation, the company was awarded a prize from the city of Barcelona’s council for best establishment. During the 1920s Masriera y Carreras also attracted international acclaim for their exhibitions at fairs and shows. In 1920 they were awarded a prize at the Exposicion Narcional de Belles Artes in Madrid and an honourable mention for their exhibit at the Salon de la Societe des Artistes Francais in Paris.

During the post war period and into the 21st century Masriera y Carreras has continued to produce high quality jewellery steeped in the traditions of Spain. Their pieces are innately elegant and timeless. Although, the jewellery company initially founded by Francesc d’Assis Carreras i Mata is no longer family run, it has been in continuous operation for over two centuries and the Carreras name lives on in the historical fine jewellery that still holds collectable value, and in the high quality contemporary jewellery that the company continues to produce in Barcelona.

Style/Major Collections

Fuelled by the ardent Catholicism of 18-19th century Spain, Carreras not only produced a wide range of jewellery, they also specialised in creating bejewelled religious objects, from gold chalices and candelabras to rosaries set with precious gems.

At the turn of the 20th century Carreras, underwent many changes, both in its management in merging with Masriera, and in terms of style. Swept along with the changing tastes and fashions of the early 1900s, they began experimenting with Art Nouveau themes and forms. In 1905 they produced an exceptional bracelet that showcased the new ‘Modernisme’ style developing in Barcelona. The bracelet was made of four panels decorated with elaborate floral motifs and colourful butterflies in cloisonne enamel. The signed bracelet is an exemplar of Carreras high quality craftsmanship and has reached high prices on the secondary market.