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The company was founded by Michael Lazar Biedermann (born 1769 as Michael Lazar in Bratislava) who was at fifteen apprenticed to an engraver in Vienna, became a seal-engraver and adopted the name Biedermann in 1792. He was entrusted with the engraving of the imperial seals and by 1800 was enabled to open a jeweller's store in Vienna.

When he visited a fair in Leipzig he became interested in the wool trade, and in 1802 commenced business as a wool merchant. He succeeded in making his textile business one of the leading houses of Austria, employing over 3000 workers in his factories. In addition to that he founded a bank company.

When he died in 1843 he left a fortune of 16 million guilders.

Biedermann took great interest in the welfare of the Jewish community of Vienna, of which he was the representative from 1806 till his death.

Five of his sons (Simon, Joseph, Anton, Hermann and Gustav) and one of his sons-in-law (Raphael Meyer Kaulla) were shareholders of "M. L. Biedermann et Comp." which controlled the wool business, Joseph and Anton in addition took over the jewellery company.

The Kunsthistorische Museum in Vienna has two objects by Joseph and Anton Biedermann in its collections:

KHM Joseph und Anton Biedermann



Michael Lazar Biedermann's daughter Regine Biedermann married her first cousin Josef Biedermann. Their son Emil (born 1830) took over the family jewellery business. Christie's had a Biedermann brooch in its Important Jewellery auction in June 2005:

An Antique Austrian Royal [sic!] Diamond Brooch



The company is listed until 1893, but had closed business by 1894. Emil Biedermann died in 1900.

BTW, the company's address was Graben 13, not 18!