The history of Wolfers Frères begins in 1834, when Belgian jeweler Louis Wolfers founded a family business focused on creating high-quality jewelry and decorative art.
The pieces quickly gained popularity, and over time, the House of Wolfers began working with some of Europe’s largest jewelry brands, including Cartier in Paris and Bonebakker in Amsterdam.
The company’s true heyday began in 1875, when the founder’s son, Philippe Wolfers, joined the business. He began with classic Rococo jewelry, but in the 1890s, his style evolved under the influence of the new artistic movement, Art Nouveau.
Philippe became the leading designer at Wolfers Frères and created a collection of unique jewelry, marked with the hallmark “exemplaire unique.” These pieces were not intended for mass production; they were handcrafted, each one a single copy. In total, 131 such pieces were produced.
One of Philippe’s most famous works is the “Dragonfly” pendant (1903), which has become the symbol of Wolfers. This piece combines exquisite enamel work, an asymmetrical yet harmonious design, and profound symbolism of nature.
After Philippe’s death in 1929, his son Marcel Wolfers continued the family business, adapting the company’s style to new trends and introducing elements of Art Deco.
Today, Wolfers remains one of the most important jewelry houses in Belgium, and its archives are housed in the DIVA Museum in Antwerp, dedicated to the history of jewelry.
