WMF Art Nouveau – Reclining Woman

This is a WMF Art Nouveau Inkstand (Model No. 232), dating to circa 1906.

1. Deciphering the Marks (The Underside)

The marks are the classic WMF export marks used between 1903 and 1910.

• Center Mark (The Ostrich): This is the company logo. It features a running Ostrich inside a rhombus (diamond) with a striated arch at the top. The letter “G” stands for Geislingen, the German town where the factory was located.
• “B” (Left): This indicates the base metal is Britannia Metal (a tin alloy similar to pewter). This was WMF’s standard base for high-quality casting because it held sharp details better than copper or brass.
• “OX” (Right): This stands for Oxidized. It confirms that the piece was factory-produced with the “Old Silver” finish mentioned in the catalog. The silver was chemically darkened to highlight the relief sculpture, giving it a soft, antique grey tone rather than a bright mirror shine.
• “I/0” (Below): This denotes the thickness of the silver plating. “I/0” signifies the standard thickness of silver coating applied to the surface.

2. Design & Catalog Verification

• Model No. 232: The piece appears in the 1906 English Export Catalogue on page 285.
• The Figure: The design features a reclining woman (often interpreted as a Nymph or Water Sprite) whose flowing hair and drapery merge into the “whiplash” curves of the tray. This seamless blend of figure and function is the hallmark of the Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau) style.
• Original Glass: It retains its original heavy glass liner, which fits perfectly into the square housing.

3. Historical Context

WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik) was the world’s largest producer of household metalware around 1900. Their Art Nouveau pieces from the 1900–1910 period are considered their artistic peak. This specific inkstand is a “High Style” example, sought after by collectors because it functions as a piece of sculpture as much as a desk accessory.