Posted 10 years ago
mikelv85
(1232 items)
Well there's not much to say about this Salvation Army find but, My heart sank when I found out the maker of this beautiful mount with the missing green glass claret jug. The first thing I said was "OK who broke this !! I was assured it came in that way (a single tear,,,,,) by my friend. The maiden decor is really the epitome of "Art Nouveau". It's WMF of course which stands for Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik. WMF was originally called Metallwarenfabrik Straub & Schweizer and was opened as a metal repairing workshop. Through mergers and acquisitions, by 1900 they were the world's largest producer and exporter of household metalware, mainly in the Jugendstil, or Art Nouveau style, designed in the WMF Art Studio under Albert Mayer, sculptor and designer, who was director from 1884 to 1914. Had this been complete it would be worth over a thousand dollars or more from what I've seen online !! It is made of a type of pewter called "Britannia metal" or "Britanium". Favoured for its silvery appearance and smooth surface. The composition is approximately and typically 92% tin, 6% antimony, and 2% copper. The spout has traces of silver plate on it's interior though. The jug was a very simple and elegant trumpet shaped green glass liner. There are remains of glass in the neck of the spout. Someone had tried to polish it with silver creme so it's caked with the dried residue in every nook and cranny. There are four hallmarks on the bottom of one of the feet and screw tabs for holding and removing the glass insert for cleaning but only two remain. So it was made to be removed. Chances of finding an original green glass liner are probably slim, but I bet there's one out there somewhere. -Mike-
stunning!!!!!!
Thanks Sean .... I knew you'd love this :)
Yes, mike, one out there, waiting for you to found it ,i will keep my eyes open for you.
Beautiful.
SA, or GW
Alan
Why thank you Sean, Phil, and Alan ..... you know me well enough that I couldn't leave this behind glass or no glass. The marks were the deciding factor even though I couldn't read them at Salvation and the style of course. What's not to love ! Thanks Alan for the the vote of confidence and the extra set of eyes keeping a look out. Someday it will be complete again. :)
OMG !!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Art-Nouveau-WMF-AK-Cie-Pair-Pewter-Green-Glass-Claret-Jugs-Decanters-Ca-1900-/331473785186?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=ite
Thanks Ken ...just gotta find the glass liner !
Ô..Ô !!!!
Exciting find! And what a link...
Now you have to find the glass :-)
Any glass blower around ?
Thanks Kyra :) .... I would think most of the value would be in the mount because the liner is very plain and basic and fits a number of WMF pieces. Then again the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts. An original might be too much to hope for so maybe a glass blower might be the ticket. Don't know too many myself...lol.
Why do I have the feeling you'd be first in line Ken...lol
Hope you find an insert for this beauty Mike, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
I just saw a site where they do provide custom work but I didn't bookmark it. I will check and see if I can find it again. It was in England that much I do remember.
Found it! http://www.fwaldridgeglass.co.uk/antique_glass_repairs_restoration.htm
They show a lovely silver and glass claret jug that was smashed to bits and they had a new glass vessel made for it. No idea about price mind you but when your piece is restored it won't be ordinary or affordable, I wouldn't think. But you would have to do that research once you find out the cost to work their magic on your piece. Good luck.
Thanks pops52 :) Thank you Lisa for the link and the "loves" and comments :)
Wow, this is so pretty... And pricy :)
Metal is amazing really, you make gun, bombs and weapons with it or with a better imagination you can something like this.
BAZINGA -- Great find Mike. Could not happen to a nicer person.
If I see anything of the liner that can help, will let you know. Congrats.....
Just the way it is right now is Stunning too !!!
Thanks DrFluffy and GeodeJem for the "loves" and comments. :)
Thank you Rose :)..... The liner being broken is a bit of a bummer but at least the stopper was still there. The metal is very soft and it was bent a bit. I had to resist straightening it too much for fear of breaking it. The thin handle is all that supports it without the liner. I put it high up on top of the kitchen cabinets so I would quit fidgeting with it...lol :)
Found this for ya, says:
http://www.worldcollectorsnet.com/articles/wmf-wurttembergische-mettalwaren-fabrik/
[Quoted from above]: ""Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik, A green glass Art Nouveau claret jug and stopper, circa 1910, The silver plated metal mounts featuring foliate forms and to the base female heads emerging from water, impressed WMF; EP; 1/0 38cm high. Sold at Bonhams, Edinburgh April 2009 for £648"" ~ ~ ~ That was a 2009 price
here is an interesting link [pdf]:
http://www.pewterbank.com/WMF_Marks_and_part_of_the_story....12.pdf
Thanks Rose :) These are great links and I definitely saved the pdf. file. I was able to decode my mark from a site I found yesterday. This piece was never meant to be shiny except for the interior of the spout. They oxidize the Britannia finish with sulphur and potash. Some were electro plated and gilded with special orders. Whoever tried to polish it at least didn't damage it. Have to get out the toothpicks and start cleaning the nooks and crannies....lol. Lots of great info.
Your Welcome Mike ~ So Glad for you!!
Wow Mike, I love this!! The form and detail are amazing!!
Yes I do love this!!!!
Thank you Rick and Sean for the "loves" and comments. I would say it ranks in my top five greatest finds. :)
Mike, I just had another thought. The Corning glass Museum in New York state has classes. What about exploring the glass blowing courses to see if making a replacement could be pursued there? I don't know where you are or if that is even feasible or something of interest to you but I had to mention it. If not you then perhaps you could find someone who is already blowing glass who might want to go to Corning in your stead and produce the piece you need? For what it is worth it is perhaps the germ of an idea that you can make grow. ;o)
Sincerely,
Lisa
Thanks for the suggestion Lisa :).... I live in Ohio and there are a few really good glass restoration places in the Columbus area. They repair but I don't think they create or work glass specifically. I've been looking around online too to see if any liners are available from antique glass sites or even Ebay but so far zero results.
I can kind of see the glass in it ...wink, wink ...smiling nice find,,
Thanks Roycroft .....lol :)
Hi,
I just landed on this site when Googling WMF. I have a claret jug top without the liner. I don't believe mine ever came with the decorative metal bottom. I purchased mine in Belgium about 20 years ago. I wasn't sure if it had ever been silver plated, but it doesn't look like it is. Can the Brittania metal be polished to a shinier sheen. I am thinking about having a liner made. There are many glassblowers in the Washington, DC area where I live. Often when I see replacement liners they are made of very thick blue glass. The glass for this jug should be on the thinner side and made in green or clear. Some had engraving on them. Let me know if you have found a liner or had one made. Nice to join your thread
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/172678-wmf-art-nouveau-claret-jug-without-liner
LOVED it again MIKE !! So happy for You!!
Thank you Rose :)... it is pretty special even without the glass.
Hi, lovely find ! I have the claret jug complete with beautiful green glass except I am missing the stopper ! its original glass. do you still have your piece, ? how would you like to proceed? I would really love to have the stopper.