Boar’s Head Inkstand – WMF
| Categories | Figural - Animals & Living Creatures |
| Type | Boar |
| Material | Silverplate |
| Markings | See Narrative |
| Manufacturer | WMF |
| Origin | Germany |
| Date or Era | circa 1905 |
| Measuring | 11” x 8 ½” x 3” high |
This is a nice example of WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik) metalwork, specifically a Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) hunting-themed inkstand. Produced in Germany around the turn of the 20th century (circa 1900–1910), it combines function with the detailed, naturalistic sculpture the company was famous for.
Design and Features
The inkstand is designed as a semi-circular tray intended to hold pens or desk sundries. Its most prominent feature is the boar’s head, which serves as the lid for the inkwell.
- The Boar: The head is realistically cast with fine “fur” texture and anatomical detail. A hinge at the back of the neck allows the head to swing upward, revealing a circular well for ink (insert missing on this piece).
- The Tray: The tray features a “sunken” reservoir to hold pens, etc. The front curved edge is decorated with a relief of oak leaves and acorns, a traditional German motif often associated with hunting and strength.
- The Finish: The dark recesses in the metalwork are intentional, designed to create high contrast and highlight the intricate casting of the boar’s features.
Deciphering the Marks
The stamps on the bottom of the inkwell (found on the base of the ink pot and the underside of the tray) provide a complete “ID” for the piece.
| Mark | Meaning |
| Ostrich in a Diamond | This is the official WMF Logo. The ostrich (Strauß in German) was a pun on the founder’s name, Daniel Straub. The “G” below the ostrich stands for Geislingen, the town where the factory was located. |
| B | Indicates the base metal is Britannia Metal, a white metal alloy (mostly tin) that was preferred for complex castings because it holds fine detail better than copper or brass. |
| I/O | Represents the thickness of the silver plating. I/O (Normalvergoldung) means that a standard amount of silver was used to coat the base metal. |
| OX | Stands for Oxidized. This confirms the “antique” look was done at the factory. The silver was artificially darkened (usually using a sulfur solution) and then polished back on the high points to create depth. |
| 248 | This is the Model Number or catalog number. WMF produced thousands of designs, and “248” was the specific code used by retailers to order this particular boar’s head inkstand. |
Catalog Context
In the early 1900s, WMF was the world’s largest producer of household metalware. Model 248 appeared in their luxury catalogs and was part of a larger suite of office accessories. If one were looking to complete a set, matching pieces originally available with this motif included:
- A matching desk blotter with a silver-plated handle.
- A letter opener featuring a smaller boar or oak leaf handle.
- A pocket watch stand or “tidy tray” for jewelry.
Estimated value: $125
Content disclaimer. The information posted is the owner’s best knowledge and may not have been vetted by the SOIC. We welcome comments, corrections, and additions, working to make our website information comprehensive and accurate.
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