WIESE

A goldsmith and jeweller, Jules Wiese (Berlin 1818 – Paris 1890) began his career in Berlin where he served his apprenticeship before moving to Paris to work for J.V. Morel and then more significantly with F.D. Froment-Meurice (with whom he established a close bond ) from 1839.  Under the ever-generous wing of Froment-Meurice, Jules Wiese flourished and became his foreman by 1844. By the end of the same year he opened his first atelier rue Jean-Pain-Molet, with 25 workers, where he continued to create for Froment-Meurice.  As ever a supporter of Wiese’s work, Froment-Meurice pushed for Wiese to receive the collaborator’s medal at the Exposition of 1849.  Jules Wiese eventually worked for many of the top manufacturing jewellers and went on to win a first-class medal at the 1855 Exposition and a medal of honour at the 1862 Exhibition in London.  M.Magne was quoted as follows when discussing Jules Wiese in light of the 1855 Exposition, “fine goldsmith and jeweller with an already distinguished reputation which can only be enhanced by his display.  The importance of his pieces and his brave experiments reveal, even in the most modest work, an awareness of art and beauty which deserves to be encouraged by the jury.”

Jules Wiese and then, from 1880, Louis Wiese (1852 -1923) Jules’ son, were of course well respected for their jewellery in their own name as well as for others.  Largely in the Medieval and Renaissance revival style, these intricate jewels showcased the family’s prowess in gold and silver chasing.  Their architecturally-inspired jewels are housed in many Museums around the world, including The British Museum, The Victorian & Albert Museum and the Musée des Arts Decoratifs in Paris.  Their apparition on the second hand market remain rare and competition for them fierce, indispensable as they are for any understanding of France’s exemplary jewellery heritage.