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).
WMF Art Nouveau Silver Plated Vase with Glass Liners, Germany, 1900
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
$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
$5,254
H 5.91 in W 18.9 in D 11.03 in
Art Nouveau Silver Jardinière With Waved Glass Liner Wilhelm Binder Germany 1900
By Wilhelm Binder
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant silver jardinière of elliptical base form on four flared feet with volute bond, downwardly flaring smooth wall with delicate ribbed band at the lower rim, constriction at the...
Silver
Pair of Art Nouveau WMF Maiden Vases
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Pair of Art Nouveau WMF twin handled vases, featuring maidens wearing flowing dresses. The bottom of the dress forms the base. A flowering tree flows up from the base. Complete with ...
Metal
$450,000 / set
H 24.41 in Dm 11.82 in
Pair of Big Vases Wmf, German, 1910 in Silver Plated, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
2 Vases WMF Signs: Page: 371 in the Book – Art Nouveau Domestic Metalwork from WMF Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik: The English Catalogue 1906 Hardcover. WMF G: Introduces on ...
Silver Plate
$1,750
H 9 in W 18 in D 7 in
Fine Art Deco Silver Plated Argentor WMF Lady Figural Centerpiece Planter Insert
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, Argentor of Vienna
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful silver plated Art Deco centerpiece with two female figures supporting the diamond shape centerpiece with removable insert. Decorated with draping, wreaths and filigree de...
Silver Plate
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.5 in W 11.5 in D 4.5 in
WMF Art Nouveau Flower Fruit Centrepiece, circa 1910
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, Ontario
WMF centrepiece with Art Nouveau floral decoration and the original clear glass liner and silver plate. The Dish on acanthus foliate supports, curvilin...
Silver Plate
$2,970
H 11.82 in W 5.91 in D 4.73 in
Claret Jug, Silver, Anselmo Prior and Mason, Vitoria, Spain, 1816-1846
Located in Madrid, ES
Jug. Silver. Anselm Prior and Mason. Vitoria, Spain, between 1816 and 1846. With contrast markings. Silver jug in its color with a square base that serves as a support for the ci...
Silver, Other
$29,943Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32.29 in Dm 9.45 in
Pair of Art Nouveau Vases, Goldscheider & Liezen, 1900s
By Friedrich Goldscheider
Located in Lisbon, PT
A pair of early 1900s Art Nouveau vases by Goldscheider & Liezen, hand-painted in terracotta with lush natural motifs and foliage. This exquisite pair reflects the elegance of t...
Terracotta
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
Pair of Art Nouveau Loetz Bronze Mount Vases
By Johann Lötz Witwe
Located in Westport, CT
Art Nouveau loetz glass mantel vases with bronze mounts.
$275 / set
H 2 in Dm 9.38 in
WMF Silverplate Modernist Plate Sigrid Kupetz Design with Small Oval Bowl
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
WMF silver plate modernist plate Sigrid Kupetz design with small oval bowl, both by Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik, mid-20th century. The plate is ...
Silver Plate
WMF Art Nouveau Sollifleur Whit Detailt Claire Engraved Glass
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Verviers, BE
WMF Art Nouveau Sollifleur whit Detailt Claire engraved glass. The piece is in excellent condition and a real beauty! Photography fails to capture the beauty of the piece. ?In...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
$250,000 / set
H 28.35 in Dm 9.85 in
Pair of Big Vases Wmf, German, 1910 in Silver Plated, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
2 Vases WMF Signs: 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 as a trad...
Silver Plate
$822Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.45 in Dm 7.09 in
German Glass Vase by Karl Wiedmann for WMF Ikora, 1930s Bauhaus Art Deco
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, Karl Wiedmann
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Glass vase Producer: WMF, Germany Designer: Karl Wiedmann Age: 1930s Description: Wonderful heavy Art Deco glass element designed by Karl Wie...
Art Glass
Pair of Art Nouveau vases
Located in Porto, PT
Pair of Art Nouveau vases. French; early 20th century; embossed decoration with vegetal motifs and mascarons. Signed. Height: 30 cm
Ceramic
$24,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 39.5 in W 16 in D 12 in
Art Nouveau WMF Pewter Vases with Turquoise Glass, Germany, Circa 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Pair of silver plated pewter and turquoise glass vases. Manufactured by WMF-Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (1853 - present). Signed WMF. Germany, CIRCA 1900.
Pewter
WMF Art Nouveau Silver Plated Carafe with Original Glass Liner
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Antwerp, BE
One WMF Art Nouveau silver plated Carafe with original glass liner.
Silver