About the manufacturer Wolfers Frères

The History of Wolfers Frères

The Beginnings

The long-established goldsmith and silversmith Wolfers Frères was founded in Brussels in 1812 by the goldsmith Louis Wolfers, originally from Linden, Germany. From a small workshop, it quickly developed into one of Belgium's leading manufacturers of silverware, cutlery, and jewelry. The characteristic "W" beneath the boar's head, used as the official maker's mark since 1852, became the company's unmistakable trademark.

The Era of Artistic Zenith

Under Philippe Wolfers (1858–1929), the company reached its artistic zenith around 1900. Philippe, son of the company's founder, is considered one of the leading figures of Belgian Art Nouveau. His designs combined sculptural natural forms with symbolic expressiveness and earned him international acclaim. His jewelry and silverware are now regarded as key works of Belgian Art Nouveau.

After Philippe's death, his descendants successfully continued to run the workshops. In the 1930s, Wolfers Frères significantly influenced Belgian Art Deco before the company increasingly shifted to industrial production after World War II. The company's history as a family business ended in the late 1960s; the trademark rights were acquired by larger corporations.

Wolfers Frères - Belgian cultural heritage

The Wolfers Frères jewelry store on Rue d’Arenberg in Brussels, designed by Victor Horta, has been faithfully reconstructed and is now housed in the Royal Museum of Art and History. A large part of the family archive, as well as the famous Wolfers & Petrucci collection with masterpieces by Philippe Wolfers, are permanently exhibited there – an impressive testament to Belgian jewelry and silver art of international standing.