Inkipedia
WMF – “Forget-me-not” Flowers
| Categories | Art Nouveau |
| Material | Silverplate |
| Markings | See Narrative |
| Manufacturer | WMF |
| Origin | Germany |
| Date or Era | circa 1905 |
| Measuring | 7 ⅞” across |
This silver-plated inkstand is a classic example of Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) design, manufactured by the renowned German firm WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik) around the turn of the 20th century.
Visual Description
- The Form: The stand features an asymmetrical, organic “kidney” shape characteristic of Art Nouveau, designed to mimic flowing water or a lily pad.
- Decorative Motifs: The surface is embellished with low-relief carvings of forget-me-not flowers and swirling whiplash lines that transition into a built-in pen tray.
- The Inkwell: A single, circular inkwell is integrated into the rear of the stand. It features a domed, swirled lid and contains a removable clear glass liner.
- Material: The piece is made of a base metal alloy (Britania metal) that has been silver-plated.
Interpretation of Markings
The underside of the base and the interior of the lid contain several stamped marks that confirm its origin and quality:
| Mark | Interpretation |
| The Ostrich (Running) | This is the official WMF factory hallmark. The ostrich inside a rhombus, placed within a dashed rectangle, was used specifically between 1903 and 1910. |
| “B” | Stands for Britannia Metal, a white metal alloy used as the base for the silver plating. |
| “as” | Indicates an “Antique Silver” finish. This means the piece was intentionally oxidized or darkened in the recesses during manufacturing to give it an aged, high-contrast look. |
| “47” | This small number stamped inside the lid and on the base is a factory assembly or batch number, used to ensure the hand-fitted lid remained with its corresponding base during the plating process. |
| “103” | This is the catalog model number. In WMF’s historical trade catalogs from the early 1900s, this specific forget-me-not design is identified as model number 103. |
Estimated Age
Based on the specific “running ostrich” hallmark and the Art Nouveau styling, this inkstand was manufactured in Germany between 1903 and 1910.
The original catalog illustration for this WMF inkstand confirms its identity as Model No. 103 from the firm’s prestigious Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) collection.
Catalog Identification
This specific design appears in the 1906 WMF Catalog (formally titled Art Nouveau Domestic Metalwork from Wuerttembergische Metallwarenfabrik).
- Model Number: 103.
- Description: The catalog describes it as an “Inkstand with forget-me-not decoration, Britannia metal, silver-plated, antique silver (oxidized) finish, with removable glass liner”.
- Design Group: It was part of a larger “Forget-Me-Not” desk suite that included matching letter openers and blotters.
Sold for $70 in December 2025
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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