WMF Egyptian Revival Inkstand

This Egyptian Revival double inkstand is an example of the Art Nouveau style produced by the renowned German firm WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik).

Design & Iconography

• Central Figure: The centerpiece is a high-relief face of a woman, traditionally identified in this pattern as the goddess Hathor. She is depicted with a serene, mask-like expression, flanked by stylized Egyptian lotus blossoms and architectural scrolls.
• Sunburst Motif: Above her head rises a dramatic, fanned sunburst or radiant crown, a hallmark of Egyptian Revival symbolism representing the sun.
• Inkwells: Two globose inkwells are mounted on the tray, each featuring a hinged lid. The lids are topped with upward-facing crescent moons, while the bodies of the wells are embossed with winged hearts or sun-disks.
• Structure: The stand rests on four decorative splayed feet and features a wide, integrated pen tray with a textured surface.

Deciphering the Marks

The markings found on the base provide the technical specifications for the piece:

• WMF: This is the primary trademark for Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, the leading German manufacturer of domestic metalware in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• I/O: This indicates the thickness of the silver plating. “I/O” (Normalvergoldung) signifies that a standard amount of silver was deposited onto the base metal.
• OX: This stands for “Oxidized.” It refers to a chemical treatment used to darken the silver in the recessed areas of the design, creating an “antique” look that highlights the intricate relief work.
• AS: “antique silver” finish.

Age & Historical Context

This inkstand was manufactured circa 1900–1910. It belongs to WMF’s famous Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) period, during which the company’s designers frequently blended modern organic curves with exotic historical themes like Egyptian Revival.

In Ancient Egyptian mythology, Hathor was the goddess of love, beauty, music, and motherhood. On this inkstand, she is depicted wearing a stylized crown that integrates the sunburst or lotus motifs, which are characteristic of the Egyptian Revival period. The crescent moons on the lids further reinforce the celestial and mythological themes of the piece.

Manufacturing Center: The inkstand was produced at WMF’s primary factory in Geislingen, Germany, which at its peak employed over 6,000 workers to supply “half the globe” with high-quality electro-plated art metalware.