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).
Dog Punch Bowl, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, 1910, Argentor, WMF
By Argentor of Vienna, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Punch Bowl Argentor Argentor The firm Argentor Werke was located in Wimbergerstra§e, in one of the inner districts of Vienna, a site where different metal-ware companies gathered tog...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Pair of W.M.F. Silver Plate and Gilt Bronze Jardinière, Jugendstil Period
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of W.M.F. Silver plate and gilt bronze jardinière, Jugendstil period. Germany, circa 1900.
Silver Plate, Bronze
$2,320Sale Price / set|20% Off
Art Deco Pair of Silver Plated and Portoro Marble Bases, 1930
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Miami, FL
An elegant pair of German Art Deco vases, each hand-hammered in silver-plated metal and raised on a base of Portoro marble — Their bold black-and-gold veining providing a striking ma...
Belgian Black Marble, Silver Plate
W.M.F. Silver Plate Punch Bowl with Glass, Germany, circa 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
W.M.F. silver plate punch bowl with glass and spoon. Jugendstil period, Germany, circa 1900.
Silver Plate
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
Pair of Pitchers Sign: WMF, German, 1909 in Silver Plated , Style: Jugendstil
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
2 Pitchers WMF Style: Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty year: 1906 Country: Germany Materials: silver plated and crystal Several of the WMF objects can be seen in museums Stamps WM...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Salt and Pepper Cellars with Spoon, Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, Liberty, 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Silver Plate
Centerpiece, Art Nouveau, Liberty, German, 1910, Sign: WMF 334
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Centerplace, wmf, German Firms: WMF G: The so-called “bee-hive” mark was introduced on the 1st July 1909 at the express wish of the French customs authorities: all WMF articles, even...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Pair of W.M.F. Silver Plate Jardiniere with Mirror Plateau, Jugendstil Style
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of W.M.F. silver plate jardiniere with mirror plateau. Jugendstil style, Germany, circa 1900.
Silver Plate
Punch Bowl Style, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, 1880, Signed WMF
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Punch Bowl WMF WMF G with ostrich = The first WMF impressed mark, used from 1880 to 1925 for silver-plated Hollow-ware, and until 1930 for export articles. The Geislingen firm of S...
Silver Plate
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
Pewter Centerpiece Model 392 by WMF, Art Nouveau, Circa 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Centerpiece for oval flowers, made of pewter, silver-plated and cut glass, model 392. Manufactured by WMF-Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (1853 to the present). Signed WMF. “Art ...
Pewter
W.M.F. Silver Plate and Glass Punch Bowl, Germany, circa 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
W.M.F. silver plate and glass punch bowl, Germany, circa 1900.
Silver Plate
Visiting Card Tray, German, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, 1911, Sign, WMF
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Silver Plate
Centerpiece WMF, German, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Centerplace, WMF, German Page: 91 in the Book – Art Nouveau Domestic Metalwork from WMF Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik: The English Catalogue 1906 Hardcover. *= Export-ware ...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Pair of Plates of Doughs or Sweets, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, German
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Silver Plate
Big Visiting card Tray, German, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, 1900, WMF
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Silver Plate
Centerpiece with candelabra WMF, German, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, 1905
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Centerplace, WMF, German WMF G: Introduces on the 1 st June 1910, in the interests of improved legibility, especially of the very small marks. The company´s choice of an ostrich a...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Pair of W.M.F. Silver Plate Jardinière, Jugendstil Period, circa 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of W.M.F. silver plate jardinière with glass, Jugendstil period, circa 1900.
Silver Plate
Pair of W.M.F. silver plate jardinière with glass. Germany, circa 1900.
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of W.M.F. silver plate jardinière with glass. Germany, circa 1900.
Silver Plate
Big Mirror with Lion Paws Sign, WMF, 1910, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, German
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Amaizing mirror Silver plated and mirror Sign: WMF G: Introduces on the 1 st June 1910, in the interests of improved legibility, especially of the very small marks. The company´s cho...
Silver Plate
Luncheon and Dinner Cruet, Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, Liberty, 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Luncheon and dinner cruet WMF Style: Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, Liberty year: 1859 Country: Germany Materials: silver plated Several of the WMF objects can be seen in museums We have ...
Metal
Pair of W.M.F. Silver Plate Mirrors, Jugendnstil Period, Germany, circa 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of W.M.F. silver plate mirrors. Jugendnstil period, Germany, circa 1900.
Silver Plate
$1,680Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Art Nouveau Toilet Mirror Model 84 by WMF, Circa 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
“Model 84” toilet mirror made of silver-plated bronze and beveled mirror, manufactured by WMF- Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik...
Bronze
WMF Little Trays with Putti, Jugendstil, Copper, Early 20th Century
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
The photos don't show the sophistication of these old WMF little plats, ( model 365 and 365) because there is the reflection of the light on the metal. Alloy of silver, lead and copper . Perfect to present sweets or for business cards and mail. Suitable also hanging under two wall lights , with fabric fans...
Copper
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
Set of Two W.M.F. Silver Plate Flower Vases and Jardinière, Jugendstil Period
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Set of two W.M.F. silver plate flower vases and jardinière, Jugendstil period, Germany, circa 1900. Dimensions of the jardinière: Height 19 c...
Silver Plate
Pair of W.M.F. Silver Plate Jardinière, Jugendstil Period, circa 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of W.M.F. silver plate jardinière with glass, Jugendstil period, circa 1900.
Silver Plate
Pair of W.M.F. Silver Plate Dishes, Jugendstil Period, circa 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of W.M.F. silver plate dishes, Jugendstil Period, circa 1900. With hunting dogs.
Silver Plate
Pair of W.M.F. Silver Plate Flower Vases with Glass, Jugendstil Period
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of W.M.F. silver plate flower vases with glass, Jugendstil Period, circa 1900.
Silver Plate
$7,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Silver-Plated Bronze Tea Set by WMF, Art Nouveau, Circa 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Silver-plated bronze tea and coffee set, 5 pieces, model 149. Made by the WMF-Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (1853 to the present). “Art Nouveau Domestic Metalwork, from Wurttem...
Bronze
Pair of German WMF Art Deco Metal Jugs
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Miami, US
A striking pair of German WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik) metal jugs in the Art Deco style, each featuring intricate designs of a soldier in relief and detailed eagle head m...
Metal