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).
$1,531 / set
H 24.81 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
1950 Pair of Spanish "Alhambra" Style Copper Vases with Handles
Located in Marbella, ES
1950s pair of Spanish "Alhambra" style copper vases with handles.
Metal
Pair of Bronze Bohemian Double Handle Urn Shape Vases
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of brass or bronze Bohemian or Art Nouveau style urn shape double handled vases.
Brass, Bronze
Pair of Art Nouveau Bronze Vases
Located in Ipswich, GB
Pair of Art Nouveau bronze vases having a shaped vase with engraved shaped handles raised on a circular base. Good antique condition consistent with age and use.
Bronze
Vintage Jugendstil Brass Can and Vase by WMF, Germany, 1910s
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage WMF Art-Deco can and vase is an original decorative pair of objects realized in the 1910s. Realized by WMF, Germany. Original brass product....
Brass
Pair of French Art Nouveau Gilt Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Art Nouveau gilt vases with female handle and cupids in water relief (signed CH. PERRON) (PRICED AS PAIR)
Pair of Art Nouveau Brass Vases Floral, France, 1930
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Elegant pair of French Art Nouveau vases crafted in hammered brass, dating from circa 1920-1930. Each vase features a refined elongated form with a slightly tapered body, cylindrical...
Brass
$1,400 / set
H 10.88 in Dm 4.88 in
WMF, A Pair of German Jugendstil Copper and Wood Challises, circa 1910
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in New York, NY
This pair of challises is a rare example of the famous WMF early Jugendstil objects, famous among collectors for their unique style and an unusual combination of materials - in this ...
Copper
$9,894Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 19.69 in W 9.06 in D 7.09 in
Pair of Art Nouveau Jugendstil Bronze and Ceramic Vases Otto Eckman Style, 1900s
By Otto Eckmann
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of beautiful ceramic vases in shades of emerald blue to dark green, production from the early 1900s, in Art Nouveau or Jugendstil style in the shape of water lilies with bronze ...
Bronze
$600Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 13.82 in W 5.38 in D 5.38 in
Carl Deffner Pair of Hammered Copper & Cast Bronze Vases, Germany, circa 1900
By Carl Deffner
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Pair Of Carl Deffner Hammered Copper & Cast Bronze Vases, Germany circa 1900, good vintage condition showing little signs of wear,.
Bronze, Copper
$2,471 / set
H 7.68 in W 4.93 in D 4.93 in
A E Jones. A pair of hand-hammered copper vases with silver teardrop decoration
By Albert Edward Jones
Located in London, GB
A E Jones. A pair of Arts and Crafts hand-hammered copper vases with silver teardrop decorationThe fine silver decoration to the rim and to the teardrop decoration is an egg and dart pattern, the teardrop surmounted with leaf detailing. A E Jones used this fine egg and dart silver detailing often, but what is unusual is that each silver teardrop outlines an actual repoussé teardrop in the copper body of each vase.The base of the vase is stamped with the design number 2466. This number also points to a design by Jesson, Birkett & Co. It seems between 1905 and 1910 A E Jones company started working alongside the firm of Jesson Birkett & Co and it appears that both firms made many of the same designs.Price for the pair.Albert Edward Jones (1878-1954) worked for the church metalworkers, Hardman Powell. He took classes at and was a member of the Birmingham School of Art around 1900-1902 and would have been influenced by Arthur Dixon, Arthur Gaskin, Bernard Cuzner, and Edward R Taylor...
Copper
Doulton Lambeth Pair Art Nouveau Vases by Ethel Beard & Florrie Jones
By Doulton Lambeth
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful and stylish pair Art Nouveau Doulton Lambeth twin handled vases with stylized floral designs by artists Ethel Beard and Florrie Jones and dating from around 1905. The st...
Stoneware
French Pair Gilded Bronze Ornamental Neo-Classical Decorated Ewers
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine pair antique French neo-classical gilded bronze ornamental ewers applied with scroll and vine designs dating from the 19th century. The ewers stand on a scroll and molded...
Bronze
Frederick Rhead Pair Elers Ware Art Nouveau Patterned Tube-Lined Vases
By Frederick Rhead
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning pair Art Nouveau patterned Wood & Sons Elers Ware tube lined vases designed by Frederick Rhead and dating from around 1915. This elegant pair porcelain vases are of tall b...
Porcelain
Japanese Meiji Twin Handled Bronze Vase with Silver, Brass & Copper Inlay
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine antique Japanese Meiji twin handled bronze vase decorated with floral designs in silver, brass and copper inlay dating from the 19th century...
Silver, Brass, Bronze, Copper
Ashby Potters Guild Pair Art Nouveau Streak Glazed Candlesticks
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional pair of Art Nouveau purple and blue streak glazed art pottery candlesticks dating between 1909 and 1922. The stoneware candlesticks are heavily potted standing on wide rounded bases with tall graduating column stems with bud shaped tops with flat rounded rims. The candlesticks are decorated in streaked blue and purple glazes over a lighter red glazed ground and both have clear glazed foot rims with recessed bases. The candlesticks are both impressed ASHBY GUILD...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Exceptional Pair Austro/Bohemian Majolica Twin Handled Vases
By Julius Dressler
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A exceptional, large and impressive pair antique twin handled majolica vases originating from one of the top Austrian or Bohemian makers and dating from the 19th century. Possibly ex...
Earthenware
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