Antique early 1900s WMF, or Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik german candle sticks, fully stamped on base. This pair of art nouveau silver plate candle sticks were designed by Albert Mayer for WMF. Totally original, very heavy, well made items. These would compliment any dining room or collection.
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Size: 21 cm tall 23 cm round at base.
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Some minor age related wear.
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WMF, or Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, has a rich history, founded in 1853 as Metallwarenfabrik Straub & Schweizer, evolving into a global leader in metalware and now part of the Groupe SEB, known for premium household products and coffee machines.
Here's a more detailed look at WMF's history:
1853: Daniel Straub and the Schweizer brothers establish the Straub & Schweizer metal works in Geislingen an der Steige, Germany.
1862: Silver-plated tableware and serving dishes are awarded a medal of distinction at the world exhibition in London.
1880: The company merges with Ritter & Co, a producer of luxury items, and is renamed WMF.
1900s: WMF becomes the world's largest producer and exporter of household metalware, particularly in the Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) style, designed in the WMF Art Studio under Albert Mayer.
1920s: WMF develops Ikora crystal, enabling the creation of colorful glass objects, making them a market leader for decorative glass.
1927: The first WMF pressure cooker (Sicomatic) is launched, and the first series of large coffee machines goes into production.
1950s: WMF introduces the 'Bella Italia' espresso machine.
1969: The innovative 'Programat' coffee machine, the world's first fully automatic and electronically controlled high-quantity coffee brewing appliance, is launched.
2002: Acquisition of Kaiser.
2006: Acquisition of Schaerer.
2008: Entry into the market for consumer electric appliances.
2012: WMF starts operating under the name WMF GmbH.
2016: WMF becomes part of the French Groupe SEB.
Today: WMF continues as a leading premium supplier of household products, professional coffee machines, and hotel equipment.
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Art Nouveau, meaning "new art" in French, was an international movement flourishing around the turn of the 20th century, from roughly 1890 to the eve of World War I, characterized by organic, flowing lines and a rejection of historical styles.
Here's a more detailed overview:
1. Origins and Development:
Reaction to Industrialization and Academic Art:
Art Nouveau emerged as a reaction against the prevailing historical styles of the late 19th century and the perceived decline of craftsmanship due to industrialization and mass production.
Arts and Crafts Movement:
The Arts and Crafts Movement in Britain, championed by William Morris, played a significant role in paving the way for Art Nouveau, emphasizing the value of craftsmanship and rejecting the mass-produced nature of industrial objects.
Spread Across Europe:
The style quickly gained popularity in various countries, adopting different regional names, such as Jugendstil in Germany, Secession in Austria, and Modernismo in Spain.
International Style:
Art Nouveau is seen as an international style, with centers in Brussels, Paris, and Munich, showcasing diverse interpretations and styles.
2. Key Characteristics:
Organic and Flowing Lines:
Art Nouveau is characterized by its use of long, sinuous, and organic lines, often inspired by nature, particularly plants and flowers.
Floral and Natural Motifs:
Natural forms, such as flowers, leaves, and animals, were commonly featured in Art Nouveau designs.
Asymmetrical Compositions:
Art Nouveau designs often featured asymmetrical compositions, contrasting with the symmetry found in earlier art styles.
Integration of Structure and Decoration:
Art Nouveau aimed to unite architecture and decoration, creating a "Gesamtkunstwerk" (total work of art).
Emphasis on Craftsmanship:
Practitioners of Art Nouveau sought to revive the value of good craftsmanship and produce genuinely modern designs that reflected the utility of the objects they were creating.
3. Areas of Influence:
Architecture:
Art Nouveau influenced architecture with buildings featuring intricate designs, curving lines, and organic motifs.
Graphic Design and Illustration:
Art Nouveau found fertile ground in graphic design, with posters, book illustrations, and magazine designs featuring flowing lines and natural motifs.
Applied Arts:
Art Nouveau extended into various applied arts, including furniture design, jewelry, glass design, and interior decoration.
4. Decline and Legacy:
Rise of Modernism:
As tastes shifted towards new artistic directions in the 1920s, Art Nouveau fell out of favor, replaced by Art Deco and the development of 20th-century modernist styles.
Revival and Modernism:
Art Nouveau experienced a revival in the 1960s and is now seen as an important predecessor to modernism.
 
During the latter years of the 19th century and the years leading up to 1914, the head of the WMF Art Studio in Geislingen was the sculptor Albert Mayer, who not only designed many of the company's products during this period, but was also probably responsible for the design of a majority of the WMF catalogue covers.
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