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Huge Epergne WMF?

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Author	Topic: Huge Epergne WMF?
silverbird819 Posts: 2 Registered: Jul 2006	posted 08-23-2006 06:02 PM [26-1178] Would greatly appreciate any help/opinion to confirm my research on this huge epergne? The style leads me to believe it was made by WMF (Wurttembergische Metallwaren Fabrik) of Germany but I can find no marks other than a very small “Z” (which I believe to be German indicating a pewter base for the casting) and a small number “31” on the end of the screw for the branch of cattails. It is very heavy (about 6 pounds) ornate and impressive. Overall height is 21.5 inches with a base diameter of about 14 inches and a lily pad spread diameter of 19.5 inches. There is great detail and nice workmanship: a maiden with fruit, wheat, a paddle & canoe, an urn with flowing water, a cherub with a fish, a koi pond in the base, cattails, and snails. I would love to be able to buy the WMF 1906 catalog for comparison but the Amazon price is way in the hundreds of dollars for the old issue and a new issue is not due out until November. Does anyone else think this is a WMF epergne? Muchas Gracias. SB Hope the pictures look okay on try #5 Hmmm! IP: Logged
venus Posts: 282 Registered: Jul 2005	posted 08-24-2006 05:27 PM stunning ..... IP: Logged
tmockait Posts: 963 Registered: Jul 2004	posted 08-24-2006 06:01 PM For what its worth "Zinnwaren" is the German word for "tinware or pewter". Very nice piece. Tom PS In this case, "Danke schön" not Muchas Gracias! IP: Logged
jersey Posts: 1203 Registered: Feb 2005	posted 08-24-2006 07:13 PM Welcome silverbird! I don't have any info on your magnificent epergne, however I have seen the catalog you seek for under $100. Try a search for used book sellers, there are several good ones out there.. You will need the correct title. Good luck & enjoy your piece. Hope this helps. Jersey IP: Logged
Dale Posts: 2132 Registered: Nov 2002	posted 08-26-2006 12:27 AM Usually we figure out WMF from the marks on the piece. Not the style, design or anything else. There have been a number of posts here on the marks, which are devilishly small and hard to find. Do you see any tiny ostriches or I/O cartouches here? WMF was one of the main makers of Germanic Art Nouveau, called Jungenstihl. But there were others. Also, pewter makers worked in this style. And some of their items were later silverplated. Identifying WMF is extraordinarily tricky, as numerous posts here show. IP: Logged
silverbird819 Posts: 2 Registered: Jul 2006	posted 08-27-2006 01:54 PM Thank you all for your replies. I know most of you are not huge fans of WMF so I do appreciate you taking the time to answer me. I have looked everywhere with a hand lens and could only find the small "Z". Other than that I know that it tarnishes and was purchased in England around the 1970's or 1980's. From my research, I gather that it contains little silver so design detail is all I have to go on. If I could figure out how to get back to your replies without losing this posting which I hope will show up in the right place, I would say thank you again - in German. IP: Logged

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