WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
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).
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Silver Plate
1890s German Late Victorian Antique WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Silver Plate
1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Stainless Steel
1950s German Art Deco Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Silver Plate
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Crystal, Silver Plate
1920s German Art Nouveau Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Metal, Enamel, Chrome
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Crystal, Silver Plate
Early 1900s German Jugendstil Antique WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century German Renaissance Revival Antique WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Silver Plate
Early 1900s German Renaissance Revival Antique WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Silver Plate, Pewter
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Brass
Late 19th Century German Jugendstil Antique WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Crystal, Metal, Silver, Silver Plate
1890s German Art Nouveau Antique WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Metal, Silver Plate
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Brass, Stainless Steel
Early 1900s German Empire Antique WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Silver Plate
1920s German Art Deco Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Silver Plate
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Metal
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Plastic, Polystyrene
1920s German Art Deco Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Crystal, Silver Plate
1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Brass, Copper
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Metal
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Silver Plate
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Brass
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Bronze
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Silver Plate
1960s German Post-Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Ceramic
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Brass
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Bronze
20th Century American Post-Modern WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Plastic
1880s English Victorian Antique WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Brass
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Nickel
1980s American Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Wood
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century German Post-Modern WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Acrylic
1920s German Art Deco Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Brass
20th Century German WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Silver Plate
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Stained Glass
Early 1900s German Jugendstil Antique WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Brass, Copper
1960s German Art Deco Vintage WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Metal, Silver Plate
20th Century German WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Metal
Early 1900s German Jugendstil Antique WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Pewter
Early 1900s German Jugendstil Antique WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Barware
Pewter