Wolfers Frères, established in 1812, was headed by Louis Wolfers from 1850 until his death in 1892. His mark, 'W with a boar's head,' was used as the firm mark well into the 20th century. His son, Philippe Wolfers, who became artistic director in 1892, with the help of his brothers, Max and Robert, expanded the firm from a simple factory into an international retail business. During this time they incorporated a new mark with three stars in a punch symbolizing the union of the three brothers as well as the three masonic attributes of wisdom, strength and beauty. This mark appears on this service. Philippe Wolfers contributed to the firms success with his talented design and marketing abilties. His final design was the Gioconda service, a complete dinner service made specially for the 1925 Paris Exhibition. This included the tea and coffee service illustrated in Annelies Krekel-Aalberse, Art Nouveau and Art Deco Silver, 1989, Thames & Hudson, London, p. 87, pl. 76 which is similar in form to this lot.