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).
Art Nouveau Glass Decanter with Silver Plated Mount, WMF, Germany, 1903-1910
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Nouveau carafe made of clear glass with a round, upwardly tapering body, front and back two facet bands tapering from bottom to top, the lower, ...
Silver Plate
Large Emile Galle Art Nouveau Cameo Vase, Campanule, Nancy, France, Circa 1910
By Émile Gallé
Located in Vienna, AT
Large teardrop-shaped vase on a flush base, with a narrow opening and flared rim, colourless glass with milky yellow powder fusing, overglaze in blue and dark green, a lavishly polis...
Glass
Emile Galle Art Nouveau Cameo Vase With Silver Mounting, Nancy, France 1904
By Émile Gallé
Located in Vienna, AT
Bulbous shoulder vase on a flush stand, short neck piece of colourless glass with white powder meltings, overlay in blue-violet and green, meadow flower decoration etched in various stages, matt etched inside and outside, Cameo signature 'Gallé' with star on the wall between the plants.. Mounted with later silver mouth in a smooth, slightly flared design, decorated on the outside with two sculptural branch and cone bundles. Silver mount hallmarked 'Minerve casquée' for 950 silver, France, and master's mark. Hand-made Cameo Glass: Glass overlaid with several layers, with high-cut worked out motifs. Since the middle of the 19th century, the design has also been done by etching. Cameo glass vessels were already being made in antiquity; at the end of the 19th century, Émile Gallé further developed this glass art, created Art Nouveau designs and employed a large factory in Nancy...
Glass
Loetz Art Nouveau Vase Crete Diaspora Silver Iris, Austria-Hungary, Around 1902
By Loetz Glass
Located in Vienna, AT
In the model with irregular spherical decor blown body in baluster shape, round stand, bulbous widening upwards with four times indented wall, slight constriction, flared mouth rim pressed into quatrefoil, polished pontil. Shape: Production number / pattern not preserved Decor: Crete Diaspora Silver Iris Green glass with silver...
Glass
Emile Galle Art Nouveau Cameo Vase, Fleur De Neige, Nancy, France, Circa 1910
By Émile Gallé
Located in Vienna, AT
Trumpet-shaped vase with a wide flared rim resting on a stepped round foot; colourless glass with milky white and yellow powder fusing, overglaze in dark blue and black, a multi-tier...
Glass
Johann Lötz Witwe Art Nouveau Vase, Argus, Phenomenon Gre 2/351, Austria ca 1902
By Loetz Glass
Located in Vienna, AT
Mould blown body widening conically towards the top on a flush round base, the rim shaped into a trefoil by impressions, polished pontil. Form: Prod. No. - PN 2/603, year 1902 Deco...
Glass
Early 19th Century WMF Albert Mayer Art Nouveau Jugendstil Big Silver Metal Vase
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Brescia, IT
Art Nouveau Big Vase Albert Mayer WMF Germany, 1900-1910 Silver metal with a brass removable vase inside Excellent condition. WMF mark impressed
Silver Plate
Huge WMF Tin Silver Plated Art Nouveau Vase
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Huge WMF tin silver plated Art Nouveau vase with female figure and putto.
Silver Plate, Pewter
Art Nouveau Pewter Vases Model 185 by WMF, Etched Glass, Circa 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Pair of vases made of pewter with cut glass and acid etchings, manufactured by WMF-Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (1853 to the p...
Pewter
Art Nouveau Centerpiece in Silver Plated Metal and Glass by WMF
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Exquisite Art Nouveau centerpiece crafted by WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik), one of Germany’s most renowned manufacturers of decorative metalwork in the early 20th century....
Metal
WMF Art Nouveau Claret Jug c1905
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : WMF art nouveau claret jug Date : c1905 – has a WMF G ‘ostrich’ mark with a date range of 1903-10. Origin : Gieslingen-an-der-Steige Colour : Silver with green glass Stoppe...
Glass
Silver plated vase in Art Nouveau style, WMF, Germany, end of 19th century
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Rīga, LV
A WMF Art Nouveau silver-plated centerpiece with a clear glass bowl, produced in Germany at the end of the 19th or beginning of the 20th century. The piece combines a shaped glass in...
Metal
