Philippe Wolfers

Rare coffee and tea set by Philippe Wolfers.

The constricted shapes and the ‘creased’ surface are typical of this unique tableware.

They are made with an eye for detail, as if the silver plate itself was bound. The ‘cloth’ around the spout is torn.

It is an unmistakably Japaneseizing design. These complicated shapes go back to historical examples.

Bronze utility and ceremonial objects designed as if they were wrapped or wrapped in textile were found in both Japan and China in the 18th and 19th centuries. They were often finished with elegant textile patterns and a knotted rope or ribbon. Some were shaped like pumpkins or gourds, with or without the fruits visible.

Examples of such objects appeared in model books and magazines on oriental art, published by influential publishers such as Siegfried Bing (1838-1905) in Paris. Philippe Wolfers subscribed to Bing’s ‘Le Japon artistique’, and undoubtedly found inspiration for his study and design drawings. Art Nouveau ceramists also adopted gourd and wrapped shapes in their work.

Japanese-inspired coffee and tea sets from Wolfers are very rare. This usually concerns smaller objects or tableware parts. The only other known example is the silver teapot ‘Bambou’.

A one-person tea or coffee service is also called ‘service égoïste’.

Philippe Wolfers (1858-1929), a Belgian goldsmith and designer, was a leading figure in the Art Nouveau style and created remarkable silverwork that was often influenced by the japonizing style. This style reflects the fascination with Japanese art and culture that swept Europe in the late 19th century, a movement known as Japonisme.

Characteristics of Wolfers’ silverwork in japonizing style

1. Minimalist and organic shapes: Following Japanese aesthetics, Wolfers used subtle asymmetry, flowing lines and refined simplicity.

2. Decorative motifs: His designs often include natural elements such as flowers (e.g. chrysanthemums), birds, cherry blossoms and dragonflies, typical of Japanese art.

3. Innovative techniques: Wolfers combined silver with other materials such as semi-precious stones, mother of pearl and enamel to add delicate and colorful accents.

4. Functional art: Although the works were often sculptural and decorative, they retained a practical function as jewelry, table centerpieces or utensils.

An iconic example of his Japanese style is a silver vase in which organic shapes and abstracted nature motifs take center stage, with subtle references to the Japanese philosophy of harmony between man and nature.

Rarity and History

1. Rarity:

• Original works by Philippe Wolfers in the Japanese style are extremely rare and highly valued by collectors and museums worldwide. Many of his pieces are unique works of art, because they were often produced in limited editions or even as unique pieces.

• Due to the fragility of the material and the spirit of the times (where silver was often melted down), many of his works have been lost, further increasing their value.

2. History:

• Wolfers started his career in jewelery and silversmithing around the 1880s and became one of the most important representatives of Art Nouveau in Belgium.

• The Japanese influence on his work came from the growing popularity of Japanese art in Europe after the 1867 World’s Fair in Paris. Wolfers was inspired by the simplicity and refinement of Japanese objects.

• His studio, which was later continued by his sons, remained an important center for Belgian arts and crafts. Today his works can be found in museums such as the Musée d’Orsay and the Royal Museum of Art and History in Brussels.

Wolfers’ japonizing silverwork is a unique fusion of European finesse and Japanese aesthetics, making it one of the most special chapters in Art Nouveau history.