Descrizione
Antique Collectors’ Club ; 1988; 1851490663 ; Rilegato in tela con titoli in oro al piatto e dorso, sovracoperta ; 28 x 22 cm; pp. LIII-189; The english catalogue 109 with an introduction by Graham Dry. 13 colour plates and over 3,000 black and white illustrations. ; Presenta leggeri segni d’uso ai bordi della sovracoperta (senza mancanze nè lacerazioni, piccole imperfezioni, sbucciature), volume saldo, interno senza scritte; Buono, (come da foto). ; Around the turn of the century, Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik or the Wurtemberg Electro Plate Company as the firm was known outside Germany, was the world’s largest manufacturer and exporter of household metalware. At its height, over 6,000 workers were employed in Germany, Poland and Austria, and almost 10,000 designs for objects ranging from teaspoons to enormous table centrepieces were produced. Widely known by its initials WMF, the company sometimes employed the services of leading German designers of the day, but for the most part the wares were in a popular Jugendstil’ style, the German version of Art Nouveau. These decorative pieces are highly sought after today and are prized by collectors throughout the world. WMF’s domination of the export market is illustrated by the fact that they produced a sumptuous catalogue showing over 3,000 domestic pieces with descriptions in the English language. This catalogue was issued in 1906 by the company’s English subsidiary from their showroom in Fore Street, London, and as each illustration was hand-drawn, it must have represented a considerable investment. Original copies are now virtually unobtainable, and the complete catalogue is reprinted here for the first time with a detailed historical introduction by Graham Dry, a noted authority on 19th and 20th century decorative arts. For the collector, this book will provide a fascinating insight into the type and style of domestic metalwork that was available at the height of the Art Nouveau period. With details which include size, finish, and cost, the descriptions will be a major source of information. Although the product range was vast and many examples have survivied, there has previously been virtually no litera- ture covering the subject. This book will inevitably become a standard reference work. Dust jacket illustrations. Front: A selection of WMF wares including a wine cooler, candelabra, biscuit or sweet barrel, cigar box, and card tray. Back: Silver-plated flower vase designed by Franz von Stuck (1863-1928). ; L’immagine se disponibile, corrisponde alla copia in vendita.
