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).
2 Wall Plates WMF, German, 1909 in Silver Plated, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Signatures Bee-Hive: 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 the smallest, wer...
Metal
2 Wall Plates WMF, German, 1909 in Silver Plated, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
2 wall plates 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...
Metal
WMF brass painted wall plate around 1950s
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Wien, Au
WMF brass painted wall plate around 1950s Original condition
Brass
$160
H 9.5 in W 4 in D 1.5 in
Minimalist Wall Vase Brass & Bakelite Mid-Century Modern Wall Decoration, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s German Minimalist wall mount vase. Nice addition to your room. These small decoration items get found harder and harder, so take ...
Brass
$140
H 7.63 in W 3.13 in D 1.63 in
Minimalist Wall Vase Brass & Bakelite Mid-Century Modern Wall Decoration, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s German Minimalist wall mount vase. Nice addition to your room. These small decoration items get found harder and harder, so take y...
Brass
$160
H 7.63 in W 3.13 in D 1.5 in
Minimalist Wall Vase Brass & Bakelite Mid-Century Modern Wall Decoration, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s German minimalist wall mount vase. Nice addition to your room. These small decoration items get found harder and harder, so take y...
Brass
$120
H 6.75 in W 1.63 in D 2.13 in
Minimalist Wall Vase Brass & Bakelite Mid-Century Modern Wall Decoration, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s German Minimalist wall mount vase. Nice addition to your room. These small decoration items get found harder and harder, so take ...
Brass
$200
H 6.88 in W 9.5 in D 2.5 in
Max and Maurice Heads Wall Plate - Wall Decoration Vintage, German, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful vintage earthenware wall mask of Max and Moritz. They are marked at the backside. It would make a beautiful Decoration on each wall. Made in the 1950s it displays the joy...
Earthenware
$240
H 8.63 in W 3.25 in D 2 in
Minimalist Wall Vase Brass & Glass Mid-Century Modern Wall Decoration, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s German Minimalist wall mount vase. Nice addition to your room. These small decoration items get found harder and harder, so take y...
Brass
$160
H 9.25 in W 3 in D 1.5 in
Minimalist Wall Vase Brass & Bakelite Mid-Century Modern Wall Decoration, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s German Minimalist wall mount vase. Nice addition to your room. These small decoration items get found harder and harder, so take your chance now. Found at an esta...
Brass
$240 / set
H 6.75 in W 2.25 in D 1.63 in
Two Beautiful Minimalist Wall Vases Mid-Century Modern Wall Decoration, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of two Classic early 1950s German Minimalist wall mount vases. Nice addition to your room. These small decoration items get found harder and harder, so take your chance now. Fo...
Brass
$2,126 / item
H 29.14 in W 21.26 in D 2.76 in
Art Deco Large And Impressive Hand Crafted 'Bathing Ladies' Wall Plaque
Located in Devon, England
This is a super rare opportunity to acquire one of these beautifully reduced versions of 'bathing ladies' the original being located in the famous Paris ''HOTEL des Collectionneur. T...
Plaster
$1,924
H 19.69 in W 11.82 in D 0.99 in
Glass and Stone Mosaic Abstract Wall Art Sculpture, by Han van Hattem 1964
Located in Den Haag, NL
Glass and Stone Mosaic abstract wall art sculpture, The Netherlands 1964, The Hague, By Han van Hattem Dated and Signed 1964.
Stone
$5,803
H 3.94 in Dm 43.31 in
Large Midcentury Multicolored Round Glass and Concrete Wall Sculpture, 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Large multicolored glass wall sculpture 1950s. Purchased in the Mid-1950s by the previous owners, artist yet unknown. Wooden frame, Colored glass mixed with concrete separation, fini...
Concrete
French Majolica Jugendstil Art Nouveau Ceramic Plate, circa 1900
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful French Majolica wall plate from the Jugendstil / Art Nouveau period (ca 1900). Elegant design with a lovely lady in the middle. Nu...
Ceramic