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 Art Deco WMF Ikora Frosted Glass Beads Silver Screw-On Dangle Earrings
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Munich, Bavaria
These unusual Art Deco silver dangle earrings were made in 1920 ca. Two WMF Ikora rose colour frosted glass beads are threaded onto a silver gilt fox tail chain together with black p...
Silver
Antique Rabbit Baby Rattle Signed WMF Silver Plate Celluloid
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This charming Art Deco baby rattle was created in the 1920's. It is designed as a rabbit sitting quietly with its ears down. The rabbit has two little balls inside his hollow body. I...
Silver Plate
$2,750Sale Price|21% Off
Rare Design WMF Jugendstil Mirror, circa 1905
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
Rare WMF Art Nouveau Jugendstil Secessionist pewter Mirror, Germany C.1905. All original bevelled glass, back and easel, bracket cornice supports, stylised border with open arts and ...
WMF Art Nouveau Jugendstil Photograph Frame Germany, C.1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
WMF Art Nouveau Jugendstil Britannia metal Photograph Frame, Germany C.1900, WMF. Ref No 90 page 304 WMF 1906 catalogue. WMF marks B 1/0 beehive B and...
WMF Silverplate Dachshund Dog Figure Monumental 14 Inch Rare Circa 1880
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS A SUPERB ANTIQUE WMF SILVER PLATE DACHSHUND DOG FIGURE IN A MONUMENTAL SIZE OF 14 INCHES LONG AND 7 INCHES TALL AND 3.5 INCHES DEEP, AND DATING TO CIRCA 1900. THE DACHSHUND IS A MUSEUM QUALITY PIECE AND IS EXTREMELY RARE. IT IS MADE BY THE ESTEEMED GERMAN COMPANY WMF. THE EXPRESSION ON THE FACE IS EXTRAORDINARY. THE MODELING IS MAGNIFICENT. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST QUALITY ANTIQUE DOG FIGURES...
Silver Plate
Antique Jugendstil W.M.F. Silver Plated Punch Bowl or Tureen with a Hunt Scene
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine German Jugendstil punch bowl or tureen (or "Bowle" in German). By W.M.F., the Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik. In silver plate. With a three-dimensional depiction of Dia...
Silver Plate
$875Sale Price|27% Off
WMF Photograph Frame C.1910
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
WMF large pewter oval photograph frame C.1910. Relief decorated with a band of roses within a border of overlapping leaves, WMF marks to reverse and B O/X ...
Other
$239Sale Price|20% Off
Tiffany & Co Estate Baby Rattle 2" Wide Silver
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Tiffany & Co Estate Baby Rattle 2" Wide Silver TIF607 Please look at the video attached for this item. With the video, you can see the movement of the item and appreciate the details better. TRUSTED SELLER SINCE 2002 PLEASE SEE OUR HUNDREDS OF POSITIVE FEEDBACKS FROM OUR CLIENTS! FREE SHIPPING DETAILS Rattle Size: 2 Inches Metal: Sterling Silver Weight: 14.2 Grams This Authentic Tiffany baby...
Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Mesh Bag With Deer Design
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
Weight: 236.4 grams Material: Sterling Silver Marked 925 Dimension: 6 inches x 7 inches Handle length: 12.5 inches
Sterling Silver
$1,250
H 1.19 in W 0.99 in L 2.52 in
Old Signed Carved Nephrite Jade German / Russian Hippopotamus Figure
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine carved Nephrite Jade hippopotamus figurine. Likely the work of the German lapidary carvers in Idar Oberstein (or possibly Russian in origin). The feet of the hippo have numbered inscription or signature. Simply a great carving! Date: 20th Century Overall Condition: It is in overall good, as-pictured, used estate condition. There are a few round concussion marks here and there, loss to one ear, a small fracture in one nostril (likely from the carving), some edge wear, and some very fine & light surface scratches and other signs of expected light wear consistent with age Maker: Possibly from Idar Oberstein (or one of the Russian houses...
Jade
$632Sale Price|20% Off
Tiffany & Co Estate Rare Compact Mirror Sterling Silver 86 Grams
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Tiffany & Co Estate Very Rare Ladies Compact Mirror Sterling Silver 86 Grams TIF753 The Rare Authentic Tiffany & Co. Compact Powder Mirror is a beautifully crafted...
Sterling Silver
$9,500
H 4.25 in W 5.25 in L 9 in
Antique German Figural Renaissance Revival Solid Silver Table Box or Casket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine Renaissance Revival table box or casket. In solid silver (likely 800 fine). Likely by Gebrüder Neumann or Storck & Sinsheimer of Hanau, Germany. (Storck & Sinsh...
Silver
Art Deco Vintage German Glass Beads, Art 2427E Earrings
By Aracheli Studio
Located in Monrovia, CA
The earrings are lightweight and are made to rotate and reposition with movement. The earrings consist of small translucent yellow and translucent burgundy diamond shaped beads. They...
Gold, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Base Metal, Brass
$650 / set
Sterling Silver Jungle Animals
Located in Darnestown, MD
Five sterling silver jungle animals to include: an elephant; a lion; a rhinoceros; a jungle cat and a wading bird with a fish in its mouth. The pieces ...
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Black Enamel, Diamond and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings England
Located in North Miami, FL
These stunning pair of period yet modern 1930's art deco dangle earrings have open work. They are enamel, diamond and rhodium plated over sterling silver. From England. These are lig...
Diamond, Rhodium, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$1,250
H 5.25 in W 3.38 in D 2.5 in
Postmodern Silver Plate 'Ripple' Photo Frame by TsAO & McKown for Swid Powell
By Swid Powell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful postmodern silver-plated easel back frame. Designed by TsAO & Mckown for Swid Powell. Model no. 3311 - entitled the "Ripple" frame. Comprising a one-piece, welded ease...
Silver Plate
$14,520
W 3.15 in L 5.56 in
Gustave-Roger Sandoz, Rare Art Deco Silver and Enamel Cigarette Case, circa 1925
Located in Paris, FR
Express Shipping still available during Lockdown Gustave-Roger Sandoz Cigarette Case, Circa 1925 Silver with Enamel geometric decoration on both sides. The clasp set with a cabochon...
Onyx, Silver
$2,776Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.95 in W 3.15 in D 2.37 in
Rare circa 1900 Sterling Silver Diamond and Enamel Powder Compact with Lipstick
Located in GB
Wimbledon Furniture We are delighted to offer For sale this stunning circa 1900 French or Italian Sterling silver Diamond & Enamel powder compact with lipstick...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage CARTIER Trinity Lighter Silver Plated in Box 1970s
By Cartier
Located in DELFT, NL
As one delves into the world of Cartier, the Trinity model stands out as a testament to the brand's illustrious history and dedication to exquisite craftsmanship. Cartier, renowned f...
Silver Plate
Art Nouveau Secessionist Pewter Photograph Frame, WMF, circa 1906
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
Large Art Nouveau Secessionist pewter photograph frame, WMF, circa 1906.The frame of stylised jugendstil form, the bottom section of pierced gothic like panels, the upper section wit...
WMF Jugendstil Jewellery Box Germany, circa 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
WMF Jugendstil secessionist silvered pewter Box Germany, circa 1900. The box of a rare design, rectangular arch like shape \hinged cover with hemispheri...
WMF Jewellery Box Jugendstil Secessionist Silver Plate, Germany, circa 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
WMF Jugendstil secessionist silver plate jewellery box, Germany, circa 1900. The box of rectangular shape on four turned stylized supports, conforming in style to cornices and decoration of sides and concave dome...
Silver Plate
WMF Jugendstil Secessionist Silver plate Box, Germany
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
WMF Jugendstil Secessionist Silver plate large Jewellery or Cigar Box, Germany, C.1906. The box of rectangular shape on four turned stylised suppor...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 2.5 in W 5.5 in L 8.75 in
Jugendstil Nouveau Secessionist Silver Plate Box, WMF Germany, circa 1910
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
Jugendstil Nouveau Secessionist Silver plate Jewellery Box, WMF Germany C.1906. The large rectangular box with stylised raised foliate hinged cover, plain sides. Satin silk lined int...
Silver Plate
WMF Box Jugendstil Germany, circa 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
WMF Jugendstil Secessionist Silver plate Jewellery Box, Germany, C.1900. The box of rectangular shape on four turned stylised supports, conforming in style to cornices and decoration of sides and concave dome...
WMF Frame Jugendstil, Germany, circa 1905
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
WMF Jugendstil Art Nouveau Secessionist Photograph Frame, Germany C.1905. The rare design pewter frame of horizontal rectangular shape with elongated open panel triangular panel lowe...
Jewelry Box WMF Jugendstil Secessionist Silver Plate Germany, circa 1906
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
WMF Jugendstil Secessionist Silver plate large Jewellery Box, Germany, C.1906. The box of rectangular shape on four turned stylised supports, conforming in, Germany, C.1906. The box ...
WMF Art Nouveau Jugendstil Silver Plate Hand Mirror, Germany, circa 1906
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
WMF Art Nouveau Jugendstil Silver Plate Hand Mirror, Germany C.1906. Wonderful Maiden flowing hair design to reverse, stylised foliate tendril surround to border of front mirror. Ful...
Art Nouveau Secessionist Photograph Frame, WMF, circa 1906
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
Art Nouveau Secessionist polished pewter photograph frame, WMF C.1906. The frame of stylised jugendstil form, the bottom section of pierced gothic like panels, the upper section with cut pierced geometric style design, silver plated easel...
WMF Jugendstil Art Nouveau Photograph Frame, Germany, circa 1905
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
WMF Jugendstil Art Nouveau Secessionist Photograph Frame, Germany C.1905. The rare design pewter frame of horizontal rectangular shape with ...
Art Nouveau Secessionist Photograph Frame, WMF, circa 1906
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
Art Nouveau Secessionist polished pewter photograph frame, WMF C.1906. The frame of stylised jugendstil form, the bottom section of pierced gothic like panels, the upper section with cut pierced geometric style design, silver plated easel...