Rozet & Fischmeister

Rozet & Fischmeister is a historic jeweller based at Kohlmarkt 11 in Vienna's first district, Innere Stadt. Founded in 1770 by Nikolaus Rozet, a Huguenot who came to Vienna from France, it is one of the oldest jewellery houses in the city and has been run by the Fischmeister family for six generations. The firm describes itself as combining tradition and modernity, with more than 250 years of history, and today offers jewels, goldware and table silver, as well as restoration services and bespoke commissions. The house is known for its deep ties to Viennese and Austrian history. It supplied silver and gold objects to the imperial court, held the title of k.u.k. Hof-Gold-, Silber- und Juwelenwaren-Fabrikant, and became chamber supplier to the emperor from 1913. Its best-known piece is the broad, richly decorated Collier de Chien that Adele Bloch-Bauer wore in Gustav Klimt's 1907 portrait. The firm also made the seal stamp used for the signing of the Austrian State Treaty by Leopold Figl in 1955, and produced the silver coffee service 'Alt Wien' given by the City of Vienna to Archduke Karl. Today the business is led by Franz Fischmeister, the sixth generation, who took over from his father Georg in 2016. Franz trained with Asprey and Cartier, and his designs have won several awards. Together with his father he creates individual pieces and special commissions, and the house has a unique expertise in vintage and antique jewellery. The shop at Kohlmarkt 11 is architecturally modelled on the imperial treasury as a homage to the house's k.u.k. tradition. Its clientele remains the aristocracy, industrialists and the upper bourgeoisie.

Rozet & Fischmeister was founded in 1770 by Nikolaus Rozet, a Huguenot who came to Vienna from France. His son Ignaz moved the business to the house 'Zu den drei Läufern' on the Wiener Graben. The firm became known for its silver coffee service 'Alt Wien', which was a gift from the City of Vienna to Archduke Karl after his victory over Napoleon, and for the travel nécessaire made for King Ferdinand VII of Spain around 1820. In 1836 Ignaz Franz Rozet was awarded the title of k.k. Hofgalanteriewarenhändler (imperial court fancy goods dealer) by the emperor. Rozet took the gold- and silversmith Franz Karl Fischmeister (1820–1902) into the business. Besides conventional fancy goods, the firm also produced medals and orders. Franz Karl's son Gustav Fischmeister (d. 1938) worked with the French artist René Lalique and brought the technique of crystal button making from France to Vienna. Johann Rozet was of the third generation; after his death in 1872 the Fischmeister family took over the company completely, as the Rozet family, by then ennobled as Rozet Edle von Brühlwalde, had turned to state service. Franz Ignaz Fischmeister (1848–1922) initiated the firm's rise. For his services he was appointed imperial councillor by the emperor. Rozet & Fischmeister then became k.u.k. Hof-Gold-, Silber- und Juwelenwaren-Fabrikant, and supplied Archduke Eugen and Archduke Peter Ferdinand, becoming chamber supplier to the emperor from 1913. The house worked with the Vienna Secession and with René Lalique. A branch was opened in Karlsbad in 1911, but it had to be closed in 1934 after the collapse of the monarchy and high customs duties at the new border. The shop at Kohlmarkt was furnished by Portois & Fix, also a k.u.k. purveyor to the court, modelled on the imperial treasury. During World War I Rozet & Fischmeister supported the army with generous war loans. After the war the company faced ruin but recovered. During World War II the owner Franz Marie Fischmeister (1905–1959) had to go to war; his aunt Berta Fischmeister ran the business and had wire frames produced for the Wehrmacht, which classified the company as important to the war effort and spared it from closure. Today's clientele remains the aristocracy, but also industrialists and the upper bourgeoisie. Maria Altmann, heiress of the Klimt paintings, described in the 2006 documentary 'Die Affäre Klimt' how her wedding ring came from Rozet & Fischmeister. The firm also made the seal stamp for the signing of the Austrian State Treaty by Leopold Figl in 1955; it was a gift from the company to the country. Franz Fischmeister died after the war. His aunt Berta Fischmeister again led the business from 1959 to 1975, after which her nephew Georg took over, having learned his craft at the goldsmith Karl Nowy & Söhne. Georg Fischmeister handed the business over to his son Franz in 2016.

• 2016

  Georg Fischmeister hands the business over to his son Franz.

• 1959

  Berta Fischmeister takes over management until 1975.

• 1955

  The firm makes the seal stamp for the signing of the Austrian State Treaty by Leopold Figl.

• 1934

  The Karlsbad branch is closed after the collapse of the monarchy and high customs duties.

• 1913

  Rozet & Fischmeister becomes chamber supplier to the emperor.

• 1911

  A branch is opened in Karlsbad.

• 1872

  After the death of Johann Rozet, the Fischmeister family takes over the company completely.

• 1836

  Ignaz Franz Rozet awarded the title k.k. Hofgalanteriewarenhändler; Franz Karl Fischmeister joins the business.

• 1770

  Founded by Nikolaus Rozet, a Huguenot from France, in Vienna.

Historic Viennese chamber jeweller combining imperial tradition with modern design; serving aristocracy, industrialists and the upper bourgeoisie.

• Collier de Chien

  Broad, richly decorated necklace worn by Adele Bloch-Bauer in Gustav Klimt's 1907 portrait.

• Alt Wien silver coffee service

  Gift from the City of Vienna to Archduke Karl after his victory over Napoleon.

• Travel nécessaire for King Ferdinand VII of Spain

  Made around 1820.

• Seal stamp for the Austrian State Treaty

  Used for the signing by Leopold Figl in 1955; a gift from the company to the country.

1. 1Rozet & Fischmeister - höchste Qualität, Liebe zum Detail und Ehrlichkeitrozetundfischmeister.at
2. 2Über uns - Rozet & Fischmeisterrozetundfischmeister.at
3. 3Rozet & Fischmeisterwikidata.org
4. 4Rozet & Fischmeisterde.wikipedia.org