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Side Note: How a 17th Century French affair may have influenced modern-day microphones.

  • Writer: Alex Haralson
    Alex Haralson
  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read

Updated: 22 hours ago

A 17th-century portrait, oil on canvas, of Louise de la Valliére. She sits with her left hand on her chest and a cherub over her right shoulder.
"Duchesse de la Valliére", oil on canvas, 17th century. Attributed to Charles Beaubrun, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

It's no secret that King Louis the XIV was rather fond of women. Outside of his marriage, he had several affairs and mistresses through the years. The first official mistress was Louise-François de la Baume le Blanc. Louis moved her into his court in 1661 and eventually gave her the title of Duchess of la Valliére. Eventually, Louise left Court and entered a convent, where she remained until her death in 1710.


It is said that Louise de la Valliére popularized a style of necklace that features a gem-set drop attached to a chain. These necklaces have become known popularly as lavalieres, or lavalliéres. The earliest known use of this term in relationship to jewelry traces to the early 1900s (some sources say 1906, while others say 1915), though it is still attributed to Louise de la Valliére.


Two worn pages from a 1910 S. Kind & Sons jeweler's catalog, showing their selection of diamond and precious stone La Valliéres.
Pages of a jeweler's catalog from S. Kind & Sons, ca. 1910. Public domain.

Fast-forward to the middle of the 20th century. Sound recording technology is evolving, especially following the development of sync sound for motion picture and broadcast television. Getting the microphone close enough to be effective without being a visual distraction has been a running challenge. The boomed mic is a standard tool, but the question still remains: can the mic get even closer and still move with the talent?

The author, wearing a fashionable ElectroVoice Model 647AL lavalier microphone. The 647 was initially released in the 1950s.
The author, wearing a fashionable ElectroVoice Model 647AL lavalier microphone. The 647 was initially released in the 1950s.

Along comes a small microphone - small by comparison to other options of the time - that can be worn on a lanyard. The name? Lavalier. While the American-English pronunciation has evolved to "lah-vuh-LEER", the French pronunciation remains "la-vol-YAY". Since then , the lavalier, or "lav", has shrunk considerably. No longer are they worn as necklaces, but are instead clipped inconspicuously to a shirt or jacket or tie, or are hidden underneath clothing to obscure them from the camera.


The gem-adorned La Valliére has largely fallen out of fashion. The name remains, though, recalling a royal affair from 360 years ago.


 
 
 

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