Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Moret, Hubert

1334789Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 39 — Moret, Hubert1894William Carr

MORET, HUBERT (fl. 1530–1550), goldsmith and jeweller, was a Paris merchant (Acts of Privy Council, 1547–50, p. 461), but was in the habit of visiting London with jewels and plate. Henry VIII occasionally purchased jewels from him (Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 20030) to a considerable amount, for in 1531 he received 56l. 9s. 4d., and in 1536 282l. 6s. 8d. for jewels bought by the king (Letters and Papers, ed. Gardner, v. 757). Moret was a friend of Hans Holbein, and is said to have carried out in goldsmith's work many of that artist's designs. His portrait was twice painted by Holbein; one of these portraits was in the Arundel collection, and was engraved by W. Hollar in 1647 (Bromley); the other hangs now in the Dresden galleries, where it is described in the catalogue by error as the portrait of Thomas Moret.

[Acts of Privy Council, 1547-50; Hans Holbein, par Paul Mantz; Brit. Mus. Print Room; Granger's Biog. Dict.]

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