Philippe wolfers biography of michael

Belgian silversmith, jeweler, sculptor, golfer and designer

Philippe Wolfers (16 Apr &#;&#; 13 December ) was smart Belgian silversmith, jeweler, sculptor, medallist^[1] and designer. His mature business belongs to the Art Nouveau style, while in his consequent years his work aligned suggest itself Art Deco.

As a rock designer, he was less copious than his French contemporary René Lalique. Nevertheless his "exemplaire unique" series of jewelry is in the middle of the finest jewelry created plenty Art Nouveau.^[2] Wolfers is besides known for his sculptures, ornamental objects and tableware executed thorough precious materials such as pearly, bronze, ivory and marble.

Unquestionable also designed vases and objects in glass and faience.

Early life and education

Philippe Wolfers was the son of Louis Wolfers (–) who led the firm "Wolfers frères", silversmith with court jeweler in Brussels. Illustriousness young man entered the affinity business as an apprentice break off He studied sculpture at rank Royal Academy of Fine Field in Brussels and with Isidore De Rudder.

With his holy man, Philippe undertook many study trips through Europe, visiting the fake exhibitions in Vienna () direct Paris (). Like many get the message his contemporaries, he was awkward by Japanese art. Inspired exceed the influx of Japanese get down to it in Europe during the merciless, Wolfers transitioned from stiff, beautifying designs to more realistic portrayals of nature, integrating Japanese philosophy into his work.^[3]

Design director swot "Wolfers frères"

After the death achieve his father in , Philippe Wolfers, with his brothers Expansion and Robert, took over rendering family firm and became cause dejection design director.

In this duty, he introduced silverware in almighty avant-gardeArt Nouveau style, such restructuring the Orchidées ("Orchids") fruit dish from and one of potentate vases from around exhibited hold the Metropolitan Museum of Detach in New York City.^[4] Aside this period, he began all-in-one organic materials like ivory, calcedony, opal, and tourmaline, with artisans skillfully carving these into testing floral and animal forms, which became a signature of realm unique Art Nouveau creations.^[5]

• Orchidées ("Orchids") fruit bowl, silver ()

• Orchidée ("Orchid") flower pot, glazed earthenware ()

Wolfers' "exemplaires uniques"

Between and , Wolfers produced some unique pieces refreshing jewelry.

Each piece was register with the words (for "exemplaire unique") and his initials. They were intended to show decency artist's craftsmanship and were submitted to important national and intercontinental exhibitions. These unique jewels were already extremely expensive at picture time. Pieces that remained unsold were disassembled after some generation and the precious metals have a word with gemstones were reused to look new pieces of jewelry.

That makes this type of combined jewelry extremely rare today. Exclusive about 20 pieces still be. One of his "ex. unique" brooches sold for over £23, at a Bonhams auction shoulder ^[6] The Glycines choker which he created for the Town World's Fair in was put up for sale at Christie's Geneva in fulfill , CHF.^[7]

• Plumes de Paon ("Peacock Feathers"), belt buckle by Wolfers ()

• Oiseaux et Iris ("Birds view Iris") decorative hair comb ()

• Swan pendant ()

• Libelle ("Dragonfly"), pendant completed of gold, opal, enamel, rubies and diamonds ()

• Niké brooch ()

Honours

References