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 WMF Jugend Style Stamp or Pill Box in Pewter
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A 4 compartment container for stamps or pills. Distinct jugend - art nouveau styling. Made by WMF in Germany circa 1910-20. Raw undisturbed patina - un-polished. Measurements: 10x4...
Pewter
WMF Art Deco Jewelry Box, Vienna, Around 1920s
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Wien, AT
WMF Art Deco jewelry box Vienna around 1920s. Polished and stove enameled.
Brass
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Glass and metal candy dish with lid, German by WMF
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
$954Sale Price|20% Off
Loetz Biscuit Barrel Cookie Jar Art Nouveau Iridescent Glass Antique Lötz & WMF
By Loetz Glass, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A lovely Art Nouveau biscuit barrel, made of iridescent art glass with a combed pattern made by Loetz Wwe. with a brass mount by WMF which w...
Silver Plate, Brass
Wedding Ring Holder, German, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, 1900, WMF
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Centerplace, WMF, German WMF (Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik) Electro- Wurtemberg Plate Company in Geislingen, Germany, internationally known today as 'WMF' initials of the...
Metal
WMF Art Nouveau Germany Silver Plate Jewelery Box, 1900s
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Jewelery box, WMF - Germany, early 20th century Rectangular shape with scroll decorations, surmounted by a crown, internal fabric compartments, four curled feet, brand under the bas...
Silver Plate
Art Deco Revival Transparent Box by WMF Germany, 1970s
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish plexiglass and silver-plate box by WMF in Germany. Made during the 1970s and art deco revival in style. Suitable for jewelry, vanity purposes or as a small tobacco humidor....
Silver Plate
1980s Modern Silver Plated and Plexiglass Rectangular German Vanity Box
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This German vanity box from the 1980s is a wonderful example of how designers during that period experimented with blending traditional craftsmanship with new materials, resulting in...
Silver Plate
Art Deco WMF Hunting Motiv Jewelry Box, circa 1920s
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Wien, AT
Art Deco WMF hunting motiv jewelry box, circa 1920s Polished and stove enameled.
Brass
Antique Twisted Three Handled Glass and Silver Plate Biscuit Box, circa 1890
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Bath, GB
A really unusual biscuit box (it would make the most wonderful ice bucket too); made from glass and silver plate which is marked EPNS and 1/0 which I believe is made from the famous ...
Silver Plate
Box, Germany, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, 1890, WMF
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Box Style: Art Nouveau year: 1890 Country: Germany Materials: silver plated Several of the WMF objects can be seen in museums We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art No...
Metal
WMF Art Deco Round Silver Plated Box with Glass Insert, Germany, 1910s
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
WMF German Art Deco Round Silver Plated Box with Lid. A small Art Deco delicate silver plated box with nice details. Made in Germany. Silver-plated Art Deco WMF box...
Silver Plate
WMF Gilt and Painted Glass Covered Box
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Norwood, NJ
WMF Art Nouveau Germany painted glass and gilt dresser box, 1900s. An exceptional example of the WMF Art Nouveau workmanship, combining the gilt figural stylized handles, holding an ...
Metal
Box, Germany, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, 1890, Sign, WMF
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Box Page: 299 in the Book – Art Nouveau Domestic Metalwork from WMF Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik: The English Catalogue 1906 Hardcover Signatures: WMF G with ostrich = The fir...
Metal
Pair of Box, Germany, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, 1890, Sign: WMF
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Box Page: 299 in the Book – Art Nouveau Domestic Metalwork from WMF Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik: The English Catalogue 1906 Hardcover signatures: WMF G with ostrich = The fi...
Metal
Pill Box Abalone Seashell
Located in New York, NY
A hand-crafted abalone seashell and alpaca metal pill box, circa 1960s, mid-20th century, Mexico. Box is oval with a beautiful iridescent abalone seashell top; top is hinged with fro...
Metal
Art Nouveau Silver Plated Repousse Tobacco or Jewelry Box
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Nouveau silver plated repousse tobacco or jewelry box The top, front, sides and back are beautifully cast and feature panels with images of birds...
Silver Plate
Antique Austrian Silver & Enamel Pill Boxes 1920
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
This elegant set of four Austrian Art Deco pill boxes, crafted circa 1920, showcases the refined luxury and craftsmanship typical of early-20th-centu...
Silver
Sterling Silver Continental Pill or Patch Box
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a wonderful late 19th century sterling patch or pill box in the 17th/18th century style. The box is designed as an oval with a repousse lid depicting a farm yard vignette detailed with farm buildings, chickens and family life. The reverse is a simple polished sterling oval that has been hallmarked and bears the export mark "Germany". The box is in overall very good condition; the clasp is tight and no heavy wear is present. This silver piece would make an outstanding ring presentation box...
Sterling Silver
Art Nouveau Rectangular Silver Plate Jewelry Box, France
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This French rectangular silver box is heavily decorated in the typical styles of this Art Nouveau period. The box has vintage red velvet interior and the original hardware with a wor...
Silver Plate
Loetz Art Nouveau Four Handled Phaenomen Iridescent Art Glass Vase
By Loetz Glass
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and rare Bohemian art nouveau Phenomen Genre 2/484 (also known as Medici) pattern Loetz vase dating from around 1902. This beautiful vase stands on a rounded spread fo...
Blown Glass
Antique Jewelry Box Art Deco Period
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful antique Art Deco period jewelry box, styled by Jacques Kreisler, circa early-20th Century, New York, New York. Box is an aubergine ...
Metal
WMF Art Nouveau Plate
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Vienna, AT
WMF Art Nouveau plate silver plated brass Germany about 1900-1910
Silver Plate, Brass
One WMF Art Nouveau Silver Plated Vase
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Antwerp, BE
One WMF Art Nouveau silver plated vase with decoration and original glass liners. There is only one left for sale so the price shown is not for the set but for a vase.
Silver
$748Sale Price|25% Off
H 1.61 in W 1.38 in D 1.38 in
Loetz Austria 1900 Art Nouveau Miniature Cabinet Vase Blue Iridescent Art Glass
By Loetz Glass
Located in Miami, FL
Miniature glass vase designed by Loetz. Gorgeous and very beautiful antique miniature cabinet glass vase, created by Loetz. Made in Bohemia, Aust...
Art Glass
$3,005
H 16.54 in Dm 6.89 in
Art Nouveau Green Glass Decanter with Silver Plated Mount WMF Germany 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exquisite German Silver Plated Art Nouveau Decanter / Pitcher by WMF Green Glass 1900 Gorgeous German antique Art Nouveau decanter / pitcher in s...
Tin
Art Nouveau Ormolu and Satin Glass Trinket Jewelry Box, France, circa 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous glass trinket box with ormolu mounts. No restoration has been carried out on this charming little trinket box, which remains in very stabile and functioning condition, wea...
Ormolu
Sold
H 2.6 in W 4.97 in D 3.86 in
Art Nouveau WMF Jewelry Box, Silverplated Pewter & Wood Veneered Panels
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite antique Art Nouveau jewelry box was crafted by WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik) around 1900. It features WMF’s signa...
Metal, Silver Plate, Pewter
WMF Silver Plate Art Nouveau Biscuit Box
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : WMF silver plate Art Nouveau biscuit box c1910 Period : Wilhelm II Origin : Geislingen, Germany Decoration : Successionist type frame with curved angular stand and geometri...
Silver Plate
Small silvered jugendstil box with cut glass germany around 1910s
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Wien, AT
Small silvered jugendstil box with cut glass germany around 1910s Very hight quality manufacture Very beautiful and fine glass cut work
Brass
WMF Ikora Green Patinated Metal Rounded Tall Vase with Trees, 1930s
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in New York, NY
Rare WMF Ikora metal rounded tall vase from the 1930s. The patinated turquoise green metal contrasts beautifully with the gold trees and branches...
Metal
WMF Ikora Paul Haustein Green Patinated Metal Hinged Box, Wood Lined
By Paul Haustein, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in New York, NY
Rare Paul Haustein, WMF Ikora metal hinged box, wood-lined. The patinated green metal contrasts beautifully with the etched gold and dark brown patter...
Metal
WMF Ikora Green Patinated Metal Round Lidded Box, 1920s
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in New York, NY
Rare WMF Ikora metal lidded box. The patinated turquoise green metal contrasts beautifully with the gold ringed design. This piece looks wonderful as part of a group, or independentl...
Metal
WMF German Jugendstil Silver Plated Scrollwork Wooden Box
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and unusual German Jugendstil wooden box applied with silver plated scroll overlay by renowned maker WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik) and dating from around 1905. The ...
Metal
WMF Jugendstil Silver Plate Cigarette or Jewellery Box C.1920
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, Ontario
WMF Jugendstil silver plate Cigarette or Jewellery Box C.1920. The box on four bun feet, rectangular in shape; the cover with oval central slight...
Silver Plate
WMF Jugendstil Secessionist Silvered Pewter Box Germany, circa 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, Ontario
WMF Jugendstil secessionist silvered pewter Box Germany, circa 1900. The box of a rare design, rectangular arch like shape \hinged cover with hemis...
Pewter
Art Nouveau Jewelry Box
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Miami, FL
Art Nouveau silver-plated jewelry box by W.M.F. Made in Germany circa: 1905.
Silver Plate
Sold
H 4.125 in W 8.25 in D 4.75 in
Art Deco WMF and Wachtersbach Ceramic Jugendstil Arts & Crafts Box, circa 1910
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Art Deco WMF and Wachtersbach ceramic Jugendstil Arts & Crafts rose pattern lunch sandwich hasp lock box. Designed by Christian Neureuther & Joseph Olbrich, circa 1910. The box with ...
Metal
Art Deco Jewelry Box by WMF, Germany, circa 1920s
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Wien, AT
Art Deco jewelry box by WMF, Germany, circa 1920s. Polished and stove enameled.
Brass