Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Roettiers, Norbert
ROETTIERS, NORBERT (1665?–1727), medallist, the third son of John Roettiers [q. v.], the medallist, was probably born at Antwerp in 1665. He assisted his father at the English mint in making dies and puncheons from about 1684, and in 1690 was officially employed as an assistant engraver at the mint, together with his elder brother James [see Roettiers, James, (1663–1698)]. He was an ardent Jacobite, and, according to Walpole (Anecdotes of Painting, ii. 186), was suspected by persons with ‘penetrating eyes’ of having introduced a small satyr's head within the head of William III on the English copper coinage of 1694. The existence of the satyr is more than doubtful, and, in any case, James, and not Norbert, Roettiers had the principal hand in the coinage. It is however certain that Norbert left the country about 1695, and attached himself to the Stuarts at St. Germain. He made several medals for the Stuart family (1697–1720) and their adherents, and was appointed ‘engraver of the mint’ by the elder Pretender. He made (1709) the English ‘crown-piece,’ with the effigy and titles of James III (Numismatic Chronicle, 1879, p. 135, pl. v. 3) and the Scottish ‘coins’ (1716) with the pretender's title of ‘James VIII.’ He was appointed engraver-general of the French mint in succession to his uncle, Joseph Roettiers, who died in 1703, and in 1722 became a member of the French Academy of Painting and Sculpture. He described himself officially as ‘Graveur général des monnaies de France et d'Angleterre.’ He died at his country seat at Choisy-sur-Seine on 18 May 1727.
His principal medals, generally signed N. R., are as follows: 1. ‘Memorial of Charles I,’ rev. ‘Rex pacificus.’ 2. Portrait of Queen Mary (Medallic Illustrations, ii. 106). 3. ‘Death of Mary’ (with James Roettiers), 1694–5. 4. Medal of Charles I, rev. ‘Virtutem ex me,’ &c. (with James Roettiers), 1694–5. 5. Prince James, rev. Ship in storm, 1697. 6. Prince James, rev. Dove, 1697. 7. Medals of James II and Prince James, 1699. 8. Succession of Prince James, 1699. 9. Portrait of William III (plaque). 10. Portrait of Queen Anne. 11. James III protected by Louis XIV, 1704. 12. James III, ‘Restoration of Kingdom,’ rev. map, 1708. 13. ‘Claim of elder Pretender,’ rev. Sheep feeding, 1710. 14. James III and Princess Louisa, 1712. 15. ‘Birth of the Young Pretender,’ 1720. He probably also made the touchpiece of James III (1708?), and a few other medals are attributed to him in the ‘Revue Numismatique’ (1891, p. 325).
Norbert Roettiers married, first, Elizabeth Isard; secondly, Winifred, daughter of Francis Clarke, an Englishman living at St. Germain.
Roettiers, James (1707–1784), medallist and goldsmith, the eldest son of Norbert Roettiers, by his second wife, was born at St. Germain-en-Laye on 20 Aug. 1707, the elder Pretender being his godfather. He at first practised medal engraving, but subsequently devoted himself with success to the business of a goldsmith, and was appointed goldsmith to the French king. On the death of his father in 1727 he was appointed ‘engraver of the mint’ of the Pretender. In 1731 he came to London with a project of striking medals from the dies made by his grandfather, John Roettiers. He was encouraged by Mead and Sloane, and himself produced medals of the Duke of Beaufort (1730), John Locke (1739), and Sir Isaac Newton (1739). His signature is Jac. Roettiers. He became a member of the French Academy of Painting and Sculpture, and in 1772 obtained ‘lettres de confirmation de noblesse.’ He died at Paris on 17 May 1784.
[For authorities see under Roettiers, John.]