Marcel Wolfers

Marcel Wolfers was the son of Philippe Wolfers and grandson of Louis Wolfers, who were well established Belgian decorative artists. Philippe was a key figure in Belgian Art Nouveau. Marcel was born in 1886 and died in 1976. He studied at the Academie Royale des Beaux-Arts, in Brussels, where he was taught by Isidore de Rudder, who had also trained his father. He became proficient in sculpture, ceramics, stone and metal. His career started before World War I, producing several works in 1908 and 1909, mostly concentrating on ceramics and lacquers. In 1910 he produced medals in connection with the Brussels Universal Exhibition. He joined the Belgian cavalry in 1914, rising to the rank of lieutenant. After the war he collaborated with several architects on various war memorials in Belgium. He had taken over much of the responsibility of the family firm, Wolfers Freres, went on to produce acclaimed items of silversmithing and jewellery adopting the Art Deco style in the 1930s. The firm continued until 1975. Unfortunately examples of jewellery by Wolfers are rare today.