Repurposed pair of WMF Jugendstil spill vase holders c1920 - making a very unusual and striking pair of candle holders or candlesticks. Twin handled silver plated frame with highly stylised foliate and floral motifs. Stamped with the WMF "running ostrich" within a beehive (used from 1909 to circa1925). Also stamped "B" (indicating Britannia metal) and i/o OX (indicating oxidised silver plate finish). We elected to leave the silver plate without being silver-polished to keep its rainbow patina. Could easily be cleaned if desired. The holders measure 17 cm in height - taking candles between approximately 4 and 5 cm in diameter. (Candles not included.)
 
WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik) traces its origins back to 1853 when the Straub & Schweizer metal works in Geislingen, Germany was established. They merged with Ritter & Co in 1880 – but after financial problems, joined with the Wurttemberg Union Bank to form “WMF”. From its founding as one company, WMF's growth was tremendous - acquiring more factories along the way, notably including "Orivit AG" and "Orion KM". By the end of the 1900's, they were the world's largest producer and exporter of household metalware. For information on WMF visit our Maker's History pages.