One of the most successful jewelry houses was founded by Otto Samuel Keibel. He was born in Prussia in 1768. He studied craftsmanship in Berlin with the famous master François-Claude Theremin, who was considered an excellent enameller. In 1797 (at the age of 29), in search of income, Otto went to St. Petersburg. Here he got a job as a goldsmith and jeweler in a foreign workshop. Thanks to his skills, the Prussian jeweler quickly gained not only popularity among clients, but also the respect of his professional colleagues, who 10 years later (1807-1808) elected him shop leader. Keibel’s work was highly appreciated by the imperial court, which commissioned him to create a number of unique presentation boxes.

In 1809, Otto Keibel died, and his work was continued (data vary) by his son or nephew Johann Wilhelm Keibel (1788 – 1862). Johann used the same mark (Keibel; see photo #1) as his father. It is noteworthy that the brand on the products was not stamped, but engraved. He created high quality gold boxes, art objects and awards.

Having received the Imperial Warrant, Keibel’s firm became the sole official manufacturer of insignia from 1836 to 1841. In 1855, Johann made a funeral crown for Nicholas I, but it did not fit, so it was returned back for the making of orders and medals.

Wilhelm Keibel became the official supplier of orders thanks to precise economic calculations. At a competition announced by the Chapter, he proposed to produce the stars of orders in metal at the lowest price on the market. Keibel won the tender, and on July 15, 1855, such orders were officially put into circulation.

His sons Ludwig (1829-1860) and Julius (1825-1882) learned the craft from Wilhelm Keibel. Ludwig became a goldsmith. His LK mark is on the badge of the Order of St. Anna 3rd Art. with swords. The second son also became a famous jeweler; he inherited his father’s business and used the constant “Keibel” engraving on his products. Julius was called Ivan in Russia.

He was awarded the Order of St. Stanislav 2nd Art. and St. Anna 3rd Art. His main occupation was the production of orders. In terms of style, his signs are difficult to distinguish from his father’s. Brand “IK”.

The next owner of the company is Albert Yulievich Keibel (1854-1910). He held the title of honorary citizen and was a merchant of the 1st guild; he entered the business in 1874.
In 1881 he completed a “lesson for the title of master.” In addition to award badges, he also dealt with court orders for icon frames and gold weapons.

One of the distinctive features of A. Keibel’s products is that he did not engrave the Keibel brand, but stamped it on the back of the stars. Now this circumstance makes it difficult to read the brand.
Interesting fact: the master lived in an unusual house, famous for its bay window tower, which reminds many city residents of the tower from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale about Rapunzel. The building itself is considered an example of Russian eclecticism. In 1899 – 1901 it was built by the architect Gustav Gustavovich von Goli.
Albert Keibel had two sons, who, despite the wishes of their father, did not continue the family business. Therefore, with the death of Albert, the matter died down.