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).
Vintage 1960s Set of Three Turmalin Vases by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for WMF, Germany
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Set of three Turmaline vases Producer: WMF, Germany Design: Prof. Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus Decade: 1960s Description: Original vintage...
Glass
Vintage 1960s Set of 2 Turmalin Vases by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for WMF, Germany
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Set of 2 Turmalin vases Producer: WMF, Germany Design: Prof. Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus Decade: 1960s Original vintage 1960s set of 2 v...
Glass
Vintage 1960s Set of 2 Turmaline Vases by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for WMF, Germany
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Set of 2 turmaline vases Producer: WMF, Germany Design: Prof. Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus Decade: 1960s Original vintage 1960s Set of 2 vase...
Glass
Vintage 1960s Set of 2 Turmaline Vases by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for WMF, Germany
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Set of 2 tourmaline vases Producer: WMF, Germany Design: Prof. Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus Decade: 1960s Description: Original vintage 1960s Set of 2 vases of t...
Glass
Vintage 1960s Set of Three Turmalin Vases by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for WMF, Germany
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Set of 3 turmalin vases Producer: WMF, Germany Design: Prof. Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus Decade: 1960s Description: Original vintage 1960...
Glass
Vintage 1960s Set of Two Turmalin Vases by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for WMF, Germany
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Set of two Turmalin vases Producer: WMF, Germany Design: Prof. Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus Decade: 1960s Description: Original vintage 19...
Glass
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
Pair of Big Vases WMF, German, 1909 in Silver Plated, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
2 Vases WMF Style: Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty year: 1909 Country: Germany Materials: silver plated Several of the WMF objects can be seen in museums. We have specialized in t...
Metal
Art Nouveau Jardinière With Floral Openwork Decoration, WMF Germany, Ca 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Vienna, AT
Diamond-shaped silver-plated vessel standing on four cantilevered feet, slightly flared body with openwork ivy leaf decoration playing around the heart-shaped cartouches set centrall...
Metal, Silver Plate
Jugendstil German Silver Plated Chalice-Shaped Presentation Trophy Vase by WMF
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in North Miami, FL
Jugendstil/Art Nouveau silver plated chalice-shaped presentation trophy vase by german company Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (WMF) By: Würt...
Silver, Silver Plate, Metal
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
$680Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Art Nouveau Wine Jugs
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Pair of Art nouveau wine jugs. W.M.F fabric. Circa 1900 Origin Germany. Material: Glass and silver metal. Perfect condition natural wear. Sealed W.M.F Art nouveau, modernist art or modernism was an international artistic and decorative movement, developed between approximately 1890 and 1914. The 'new art', as its name in French, was an original, youthful and modern style. The art nouveau cultural movement emerged at the end of the 19th century and remained until the beginning of the 20th century, seeking to contrast with industrialization after the second industrial revolution. Art nouveau uses...
Metal
WMF Claret Jugs silver plate
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
WMF claret jugs Electro silver Art Deco jug Origin Germany Crica 1930 perfect condition with natural wear. WMF was originally called Metallwarenfabrik S...
Metal
Vintage 1960s Set of Three Turmalin Vases by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for WMF, Germany
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Set of three Turmaline vases Producer: WMF, Germany Design: Prof. Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus Decade: 1960s Description: Original vintage...
Glass
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
$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
Vintage 1960s Set of 2 Turmalin Vases by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for WMF, Germany
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Set of 2 Turmalin vases Producer: WMF, Germany Design: Prof. Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus Decade: 1960s Original vintage 1960s set of 2 v...
Glass
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, Jugendstil period, circa 1900.
Silver Plate
W.M.F. Silver Plate Jardinière with Mirror Plateau, Jugendstil Period
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
W.M.F. Silver Plate jardinière with mirror plateau, Jugendstil period, circa 1900. With gondolier. Mirror plateau dimensions: 4 cm height, 60...
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 with glass, Jugendstil period, Germany, circa 1900. W.M.F. silver plate flower vas...
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 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
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
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 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