The fine brass, copper and silver metalware produced by distinguished manufacturer Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (WMF) has adorned the tabletops of restaurants, hotels and homes around the world. WMF is especially prized by collectors for its Art Nouveau works of the late 19th century and Art Deco pieces manufactured throughout the early 20th century.
WMF traces its beginnings to 1880 when the merger of Straub & Sohn and Ritter & Co. formed the public limited company Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik. The company initially focused on tableware and decorative pieces, such as vases and planters. In 1892, WMF introduced its patented “perfect hard silver plating,” a technology that distributes twice as much silver to the sections of cutlery that experience the most wear, allowing the whole piece to hold its luster longer than other silver-plated products.
In 1905, WMF acquired a majority holding of Orivit AG, a company in Cologne that manufactured products from a tin alloy, further expanding its range of materials. By 1910, its main facility in Geislingen, Germany, employed 4,000 workers. It had branches in Vienna, Warsaw and London, and printed a catalog in 12 languages.
As a German business, WMF experienced extensive asset loss in the aftermath of the world wars. However, by 1950, its main facility once again had a workforce of more than 3,000 employees, and its high-quality products returned to popularity. There was an increase in demand for its Cromargan cutlery as well as work by WMF’s preeminent lighting designer, Wilhelm Wagenfeld.
By the 1960s, WMF’s main facility had 5,800 employees. More factories were opened to keep up with demand. WMF is now one of the largest manufacturers of metalware in the world and continues to produce pieces of superb quality. The company has over 200 branches in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and owns branches in 40 other countries.
On 1stDibs, explore serveware, decorative objects, lighting and more from Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (WMF).
Antique Moroccan Silver Plated Tea Caddy Footed Candy Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1920s Antique Moroccan Silver Plated Footed Tea Caddy with hinged lid. This authentic Moroccan brass silver plated box has a beautiful etched geometri...
Silver Plate, Brass
Asian Antique Oval Betel Box, Silvered Metal, Floral Design, 1960
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Asian decorative trinket lidded box in metal silvered hammered and etched with organic floral design. Anglo Raj style oval form betel box. Dimensio...
Metal
Vintage Art Deco Chrome Ice Bucket by Crescent USA, Mid-Century Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1930s United Metal Goods- Brooklyn Chrome Ice Bucket. Heavy and beautifully made, this chrome-plated ice bucket. Art Deco American Sheffield silver plate lidded ice bucket. Art Deco ...
Metal
Antique Ethnic North African Moroccan Silver Anklet Ashtray Catchall Dish
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Ethnic North African traditional anklet silver and brass bracelet made into a vide poche, dish, catchall or silver ashtray. Unusual silver tone metal dish made from an Africa...
Silver Plate, Brass
Handcrafted Silvered Metal Kohl Box, Berber Design, Algeria, 1950s
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Silvered metal lidded box of a circular form for powder kohl eye liner. Designed into two detached sections, finely handcrafted and decorated with scrollwork designs with a yellow amber stone on the top lid and lots of great detail. Berber Kabyle box container to hold loose powder kohl eye liner. Made of silver tone metal with filigree scales with a coral stone. A beautiful antique example of a traditional box handcrafted by Berber Women in Kabylie, Algeria. The circular container is richly decorated with detailed raised filigree silver work. Decorated with an amber color cabochon on the cover top. An amazing collector’s piece due to its rarity and the beauty of its intricate workmanship. Collector collyrium kohl pot...
Metal
Antique South Asian Mughal Round Tinned Copper Box with Lid India 19th Century
By Rajhastani
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful handcrafted decorative round tinned copper Mughal Indian box with lid, latch and handle. Antique South Asian Mughal Round Tinned Copper Box with L...
Metal, Copper
English Silver Plate Art Deco Style Round Shape Covered Cigarette Box
By Sheffield Silver Co.
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Here is this English silver plate art deco style round shape covered cigarette / tobacco box, a must have accessory for the discerning aficionado. This exquisite box seamlessly com...
Silver Plate
Antique Candy Dish with Lid by WMF, Glass and Metal, German, 1920
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Good: This antique or vintage item may have some wear, such as scratches and other signs of aging.
Metal
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Hammered Dresser Box Art Deco
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Westport, CT
Antique Tiffany & Co. sterling silver dresser box, made in New York circa 1910–1920s. This round cylindrical dresser box features Tiffany's distinctive hand-hammered finish acros...
Sterling Silver
TIFFANY & CO. 1889 Art+Craft Round Box In Hammered .925 Sterling Silver
By Tiffany & Co., Edward C. Moore
Located in Miami, FL
Hammered round box designed by Tiffany & Co. This is a gorgeous round box created in 1888 at the Tiffany & Co. in New York City. This rare box was carefully crafted in solid...
Sterling Silver
English 1920's Silver Plated Domed Oval Box
Located in Central England, GB
A Superb Quality Silver plated Domed oval box This fine oval box was made in the 1920s. It is a good example made from heavy gauge copper with a domed lid which has decorative dragooned moulding at the top edge and also the rim where it opens on a stop hinge. The box has matching mouldings on its top edge and base. This pleasing piece was originally intended as a biscuit box but could have many other uses. The original silver plating is in good condition, its surfaces show a few minor age-related light scratches but overall a very pleasing high-quality item. Stamped on the base made in England EP...
Silver Plate
Swedish Art Deco Pewter, Bakelite, and Brass Lidded Box by GAB, 1935
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish Art Deco Pewter, Bakelite, and Brass Lidded Box by GAB, 1935 A refined and elegant lidded box by Guldsmedsaktiebolaget (GAB), Sweden’s premier silversmiths and metalware ma...
Brass, Pewter
