WMF Wächtersbach Art Deco Jugendstil Salad Bowl

What's for sale?

This is a large, metal and ceramic salad bowl. It was made between 1910 and 1930 by the German companies WMF and Wächtersbach. The ceramic was by Wächtersbach, the nickel plated brass by WMF.

The bowl was part of a large range of kitchen and table ware. The same forms were decorated with a variety of patterns, this one being "Dec. 2000" and described in their 1929 trade catalogue as "Art grey on white ground". This bowl was given catalogue number 7507/2000, and was 13 shillings to the trade (about £30 today). For another 13 shillings you could have had the matching serving spoon and fork.

This range is an example of how styles evolved between Art Nouveau and Art Deco and the small squares are reminiscent of work by modernists Joseph Maria Olbrich  (1867-1908) and Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868 - 1928). Jugendstil developed in Germany after an 1887 publication of the Munich magazine "Jugend", promoting their local version of Art Nouveau.

The form may be a design by ceramist Christian Neureuther (1869-1921), who founded what became the Wächtersbach art department. The pattern particularly shows the influence of Olbrich, an Austrian architect who produced a number of similar designs for interiors, homeware, book bindings, etc.

Who made it and when?

It was made in Germany by WMF and Wächtersbach, between 1910 and 1930. This item is still being listed in their 1929 catalogue. The printed and impressed maker's marks on the base read:

• WMF.
• Decor 2000 (the pattern number)
• 43
• 6319

Also impressed on the base, but the other way up:

• A shield (the Wächtersbach mark)
• HVS

On the outside rim of the metalwork is the faint WMF mark of a diamond inside an arch, in use from around 1910 until 1930.

What condition is it in?

• Second-hand
• In fair to good condition
• No chips, cracks or dents
• The nickel plating has almost entirely worn away
• The brass has tarnish and corosion in several places
• The ceramic is crazed on the inside and out, with marks and discolouration in places

What are the measurements?

• 10cm high (4 inches)
• 19cm rim diameter (7.5 inches)
• 22cm base diameter(over 8.5 inches)
• 1203 grams

If you have any questions, just send an email to help@3bcshop.com.