Price Index: Wièse Jewelry
Creations with an eclectic style inspired by Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Jules Wièse (1818-1890), c. 1845, “La chasse au lion” stamp depicting an Amazon in silver on a chased small column with ivy, partially in vermeil, master’s mark, case, gross weight 96.25 g/3.4 oz., h. 10.7 cm/3.9 in. Fontainebleau, January 25, 2025. Osenat auction house.
The creations of Jules Wièse (1818-1890) illustrate the Romantic movement that flourished in France from 1820 onwards. Born in Berlin, Wièse began his career in goldwork with Johann George Hossauer, the official goldsmith to the Prussian King Frederick William III, and in 1839 he started working in Paris. He joined the workshop of François-Désiré Froment-Meurice, where he soon become foreman, and continued to work for him for 11 years after setting up his own business in 1844. A decade later, Wièse’s gold, silver and jewelry work was rewarded with a first-class medal at the 1855 Universal Exhibition in Paris. In 1880, his son, Louis (1852-1923), took over the family business, perpetuating the historicist style until the 1920s.
Jules Wièse, Renaissance-style openwork gold and tortoiseshell comb with mascaron, foliage, lion’s head and dolphin motifs, signed, 6.5 x 9 cm/2.4 x 3.5 in., gross weight 27.34 g/0.95 oz. Versailles, October 27, 2020. Osenat auction house.
Louis Wièse, trefoil brooch probably based on a design by Jules Wièse, with a central ronde-bosse chimera and interspersed grotesques, gold, hallmark and signature, 4 x 4 cm/1.6 x 1.6 in., gross weight 39.74 g/1.4 oz. Paris, Espace Tajan, December 5, 2023. Tajan auction house. Mr. Salit.
Louis Wièse, pair of neo-Gothic style bracelets converting to a necklace, gold, pearls and sapphires, late 19th century, signed, master’s mark and eagle, l. 18.2 cm/7.1 in. and 19 cm/7.4 in., total weight 38.4 g/1.3 oz. Saint-Quentin, July 22, 2023. Saint-Quentin Enchères auction house. Mr. Yaiche.
Julius-Rodolphe-Léopold Wièse, aka Jules Wièse, excelled in carving sculptural pieces.
Wièse, 19th century, neo-Gothic gold cross pendant with a central 20 ct sapphire cabochon surrounded by emerald, citrine and amethyst cabochons, pendant height 7 cm/2.8 in. Paris, Hôtel Drouot, December 3, 2021. L’Huillier & Associés auction house.
Louis Wièse, gold ruffle pin with openwork neo-Gothic foliate decoration, signed, goldsmith’s mark, c. 1880-1890, l. 10 cm/3.9 in., gross weight 20 g/0.7 oz. Cannes, November 19, 2021. Pichon & Noudel-Deniau (Azur Enchères) auction house. Vendôme Expertise.
Louis Wièse, gold necklace with 12 ronde-bosse motifs of chimeras inspired by Notre-Dame de Paris, interspersed with four-leaf clovers, late 19th century, l. 150 cm/59 in., weight 264.7 g/9.3 oz. Paris, Hôtel Drouot, December 3, 2024. Ader auction house. Ms. Soupault.
Prices include fees.
