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WMF
(Würtemburgische Machin Fabrik AG), originally founded in 1853 in Geislingen an
der Steige, Germany. In 1880 there was an amalgamation of Straub & Sohn and A
Ritter & Co. and the factory became famous for domestic and art metalware. A variety of marks have been used during their 150 years of
production. The well known 'ostrich' mark originates from the German word
for ostrich, 'Der Strauss' after Daniel Straub, one of the founders. The
'G' in the mark stands for the town of Geislingen, on the River Fils and near Ulm in Baden-Württemburg.
The company also
bought out AK & Cie (Albert Kőhler und Cie), Orivit
AG of Kőln (Cologne) and Orion Kunstgewerbliche Metallwarenfabrik.
Designers included Hans Peter, Albert Meyer, Herman Obrist, Albin Műller and
Peter Behrens.
This beehive mark was introduced in 1909. A version of the beehive with
clear top was introduced in 1910 for the French market. |
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http://www.wmf.de/ |
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This early mark is
accepted as in use up to 1914. It is said to have
been been imitated at times. |
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WMF.M mark on an 1884 specially engraved brass
'Stammtisch' (charger). The significance of the 'M' is not yet clear. |
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This WMF Ikora mark on an enamelled copper vase,
1925-1950. |
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ISKRA mark
with crossed storks found on a server for Turkish coffee. |
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The modern WMF Ikora mark with variation,
double struck. The stylised tower is derived from the emblem of Geislingen,
a local landmark defensive tower. |
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This WMF mark with
horizontal bars was used from 1928-1935. The photo comes from the
underside of a crumb tray. |
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Further
details of the marks are included in "Art Nouveau Domestic Metalwork from
Wurttembergische Metallwaren Fabrik 1906" catalogue.WMF. |
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The firm is still making good cookware.
This simple version of the Art Deco mark was registered in 1965 . Before
that there had been an Art Deco WMF in beehive –
1925-1935 and Art
Deco WMF in clear top beehive 1935 – 1965. The company now employs 5,500
people. |
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WMF Aktiengesellschaft
73309 Geislingen/Steige
GERMANY
T +49 0 73 31 - 25 1 |
http://www.wmf.com/ |
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