J.B. Filz's Sohn

J.B. Filz's Sohn is a traditional perfumery and former imperial and royal court supplier (k.u.k. Hoflieferant) located at Graben 13 in Vienna's first district, Innere Stadt. Founded in 1809 by Anton Filz, the business has remained in the Filz family since its inception and is today run by the sixth and seventh generations. The shop is known for its historic vaulted interior, floor-to-ceiling wooden cabinets, and the imperial double eagle displayed on the wall — a privilege granted to court suppliers. The company began by producing its own fragrances, soaps, creams, cosmetics, and pomades. It flourished during the Congress of Vienna (1814–1815), when international guests filled the city. After Anton Filz's unexpected death in 1818, his widow and their 18-year-old son Johann Baptist Filz continued the business. Johann Baptist expanded sales to Budapest via steamship and traveled by stagecoach to London and Paris to source goods. In 1831 he patented his "Echt Pariser Damen-Conservations-Wasser." In 1872 Wilhelm Filz received the imperial privilege of the title k.u.k. Hof-Parfumeur, and the company took the name J.B. Filz's Sohn. His lavender water became particularly famous and is even mentioned in Heimito von Doderer's novel "Die Strudlhofstiege." Wilhelm's son Rudolf Filz received the court supplier title in 1905. After Rudolf's death in 1949, his daughter-in-law Gertrude Filz took over and rebuilt the business in the post-war years. Since 1978, Gertrude's daughter Helga Zmrzlik-Filz and her daughter Angelika Liebhart have led the company. Today J.B. Filz's Sohn sells its own line of fragrances, including Wiener Lieblingsduft, Eau de Lavande, Imperiales Veilchen, and Neroli, as well as other perfumery and cosmetic products. The shop at Graben 13 remains a family-owned Viennese institution, celebrating over 215 years of fragrance tradition.

J.B. Filz's Sohn was founded in 1809 by Anton Filz, who opened a perfumery on the Graben in Vienna during the time of Napoleon I. He produced his own creams, soaps, pomades, cosmetics, and fragrances. The business prospered during the Congress of Vienna (1814–1815), when the city hosted numerous festivities and international guests. After Anton Filz's unexpected death in 1818, his widow and their 18-year-old son Johann Baptist Filz took over, struggling initially with limited funds and few customers. In 1829, with the opening of the steamship connection between Vienna and Budapest by the Erste Donau-Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft, Filz commuted between the two cities to sell his products. In 1831 he patented his "Echt Pariser Damen-Conservations-Wasser." He traveled by stagecoach to London and Paris to purchase goods, advertising in the "Wiener Intelligenz-Blatt" that the authenticity of foreign goods was proven by official customs receipts. Over time the shop became a popular meeting place for society. The company survived the revolutions of 1848/49 in the Austrian Empire. In 1860 Wilhelm Filz, son of Johann Baptist, took over. Wilhelm supplied not only the nobility and upper bourgeoisie but also the imperial court. In 1872 he received from the Emperor the privilege of the court title and was allowed to call himself k.u.k. Hof-Parfumeur. At that time the company was named J.B. Filz's Sohn. Wilhelm became especially known for his lavender water, which is mentioned in Heimito von Doderer's novel "Die Strudlhofstiege." His son, Kommerzialrat Rudolf Filz, succeeded him and also received the court supplier title in 1905. World War I, the collapse of the monarchy, the Great Depression, and World War II brought hard times, as customers had limited means for luxury goods. Rudolf Filz died in 1949, and his daughter-in-law Gertrude Filz took over the business. With her business acumen she managed to re-establish the company during the post-war period. Since 1978, Gertrude's daughter Helga Zmrzlik-Filz, together with her daughter Angelika Liebhart, has led the company in the sixth and seventh generations. The shop at Graben 13 remains a family-owned business, and the official website notes over 215 years of fragrance tradition as of 2024.

• 1978

  Helga Zmrzlik-Filz and later her daughter Angelika Liebhart lead the company in the 6th and 7th generations.

• 1949

  Rudolf Filz dies; Gertrude Filz takes over and rebuilds the business post-war.

• 1905

  Rudolf Filz receives the court supplier title.

• 1874

  The shop moves to the south side of the Graben.

• 1872

  Wilhelm Filz is appointed k.u.k. Hof-Parfumeur; the company is named J.B. Filz's Sohn.

• 1860

  Wilhelm Filz takes over the business.

• 1831

  Johann Baptist Filz patents his 'Echt Pariser Damen-Conservations-Wasser'.

• 1829

  Steamship connection between Vienna and Budapest opens; Filz commutes to sell products.

• 1818

  Anton Filz dies; his widow and son Johann Baptist Filz continue the business.

• 1815

  The Congress of Vienna brings a first boom to the perfumery.

• 1809

  Anton Filz founds a perfumery on the Graben in Vienna.

Historic Viennese family perfumery and former imperial court supplier, offering traditional fragrances and cosmetics with a heritage dating back to 1809.

• Wiener Lieblingsduft

  A fragrance inspired by the Congress of Vienna era, capturing the waltz spirit.

• Eau de Lavande

  Lavender water, famously associated with Wilhelm Filz and mentioned in literature.

• Imperiales Veilchen

  A violet fragrance with white rose, linked to Empress Sisi's love of violet water.

• Neroli

  A fresh, citrusy top note from hand-picked bitter orange blossoms.

1. 1Start - J.B. Filzjbfilz.at
2. 2Geschichte - J.B. Filzjbfilz.at
3. 3J.B. Filz's Sohn - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4J.B. Filz’s Sohn - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org