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Austrian court jeweller: Biedermann Posted by ErikS on January 13, 2019, 3:56 am Anyone familiar with the Austrian KuK Hofjuwelier Biedermann? http://www.dekkerantiquairs.nl/jewellery/turquois-and-diamond-bracelet-6153.html

Re: Austrian court jeweller: Biedermann Posted by Beth on January 13, 2019, 6:32 am, in reply to "Austrian court jeweller: Biedermann" I hope that someone has information. I am intrigued!

Re: Austrian court jeweller: Biedermann Posted by mauriz on January 13, 2019, 7:08 am, in reply to "Austrian court jeweller: Biedermann" 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!

Re: Austrian court jeweller: Biedermann Posted by Mike on January 13, 2019, 7:18 am, in reply to "Re: Austrian court jeweller: Biedermann" thank you so much for such detailed information. Mike Previous Message 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!

Re: Austrian court jeweller: Biedermann Posted by mauriz on January 13, 2019, 7:48 am, in reply to "Austrian court jeweller: Biedermann" Addendum I: In the last years of his company, Emil Biedermann was also purveyor to the Royal Serbian and to the Grand Ducal Saxon Court. Addendum II: Biedermann was k.k., not k.u.k. Hoflieferant - small but significant difference! And he was one of many jewellers in that position. The more prestigious title was k.k. Kammerlieferant which meant personal supplier to one or several members of the imperial family. Interestingly the case of the turquoise bracelet shows the personal coat of arms of Emperor Franz Joseph, which would indicate Biedermann was in fact Kammerlieferant rather than Hoflieferant who would have been only allowed to use the imperial eagle. I haven't found a single entry where Biedermann was listed as Kammerjuwelier though. Addendum III: A trader in Munich has currently a gem set monogram locket pendant by Emil Biedermann for sale: Dorotheum auctioned this pendant in 2016, describing it as "Ernst August Crown Prince of Hannover, Duke of Cumberland (1854-1923) and Thyra of Hannover (1853-1933) - gift medallion, inside glazed photo of their daughter Princess Alexandra of Hannover (1882-1963). Expensively worked gift medallion of the Hanoverian Crown Princely couple probably on the occasion of the baptism of their daughter Alexandra, the future last Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin." Dorotheum

Re: Austrian court jeweller: Biedermann Posted by JohnAF on January 13, 2019, 8:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Austrian court jeweller: Biedermann" Possibly the silk with the imperial eagle could have been added at a later date by an owner to replace silk that had perished.

Re: Austrian court jeweller: Biedermann Posted by Thomas on January 13, 2019, 8:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Austrian court jeweller: Biedermann" Thanks Mauriz for your detailed answer. Such knowledge is why I love these boards! I remember admiring the quality of the cross and star of the Order of St Stephen at the Schatzkammer, though I didn't know they were the work of Biedermann.

Re: Austrian court jeweller: Biedermann Posted by Beth on January 14, 2019, 7:41 am, in reply to "Re: Austrian court jeweller: Biedermann" Engrossing! What an amazing fount of knowledge you are Mauriz! And thank you Erik for posing the question. Like Thomas, I appreciate the generous sharing of knowledge. I hope our collective thirst for knowledge never ceases.

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