WMF Silver Plated Flatware Piece with Pelican Trademark
Flatware · WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik), a prominent German manufacturer known for high-quality metalware and art nouveau (Jugendstil) designs, founded in 1853 in Geislingen an der Steige, Germany.
Pattern: Unidentified standard commercial flatware line by WMF featuring classic handle borders, produced during the late 19th to mid-20th century.
Type
Flatware
Maker
WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik), a prominent German manufacturer known for high-quality metalware and art nouveau (Jugendstil) designs, founded in 1853 in Geislingen an der Steige, Germany.
Material
Silver Plated Base Metal (Alloy such as brass or nickel silver / Alfenide base coated with silver electroplate).
Dimensions
Standard flatware dimensions typical of a European dining fork or spoon, exact measurements unavailable from the macro hallmark photo.
Description
A close-up view of the reverse side of a silver-plated flatware handle, clearly displaying the manufacturer's stamps of the renowned German firm WMF. The marks feature the classic WMF rectangular cartouche alongside a pictorial animal trademark—specifically a variant of their famous bird/pelican logo inside a diamond shape—and a quality numeral '6'.
Key Features
Distinctive WMF block-letter maker mark, diamond-encased bird/pelican hallmark, and numerical plating designation.
Material & Composition
Silver Plated Base Metal (Alloy such as brass or nickel silver / Alfenide base coated with silver electroplate).
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver finish with clean, linear border stampings typical of commercial European cutlery production.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamps visible include the WMF maker's mark within a rectangle (WMF), a stylized pelican or bird trademark inside a lozenge/diamond shape, and a numerical quality/plating indicator (number 6).
Construction Details
Machine-manufactured via industrial die-rolling and drop-hammer stamping techniques common to mass-production European silverplate facilities.
Functional Features
Standard utility flatware handle reverse stamping used for branding and silverplate thickness or quality grade identification.
Handle & Grip Details
Integral stamped metal handle featuring reinforced structural ridges tapering down the shaft for ergonomic grip.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial stamping and precise die-striking reflective of WMF's strict manufacturing standards for European export and domestic markets.
Authentication Indicators
The crisp, deeply struck factory maker's mark and standard WMF pictorial stamps are reliable indicators of authentic German manufacturing from the early to mid-20th century.
Origin & Manufacturing
Geislingen an der Steige, Württemberg, Germany. Produced in WMF's massive industrial metalware factories.
Era & Period
Art Deco to Mid-20th Century Period (c. 1910-1950 based on the style of the WMF rectangular logo and bird hallmark combination).
Age Estimate
Circa 1910 to 1950, determined by the evolution of the WMF ostrich/pelican hallmark style and boxed maker lettering.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of well-designed tableware in European households through industrial manufacturing and silver plating technology during the industrial era.
Condition Notes
The metal surface shows minor micro-scratches and expected light tarnish consistent with vintage silverplate utility items, graded as Very Good condition.
Value Estimate
Low market value as an individual piece of silver plate (typically $5 to $20 USD), highly dependent on whether it forms part of a complete matched set.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild non-abrasive silver cream or specialized silver bath. Store in tarnish-resistant flannel rolls or anti-tarnish bags, avoiding rubber bands.
Similar Pieces
Other European electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) flatware pieces by competitors such as Christofle (France) or Krupp Berndorf (Austria).
Interesting Facts
WMF originally grew from a small local metal workshop into the world's largest manufacturer and exporter of domestic metalware, heavily influencing European design trends particularly through the Art Nouveau period.