WMF Silverplate Inkstand – Art Nouveau

This Art Nouveau inkstand was made by the Württembergishe Metallwarenfabrik (Wurtemberg Metal Factory). It boasts graceful curves and flowing lines with a pine branch and pinecone motif. It is marked with “229” on the underside, with the “WMF” mark, “B” for Brittania metal, and “OX” for “oxydiert” (oxidized) meaning an artificial darkening of the silver surface to a gray color.

The fine brass, copper and silver metalware produced by Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (WMF) is appreciated 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 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.

Information about WMF marks can be found at this link:

Marks of European Silver Plate: XIV: WMF (Hollow Ware and Trays): an article on ASCAS: Association of Small Collectors of Antique Silver website (ascasonline.org)