Prof. Francesco Carelli

 

The iridised glasses, with WMF’s labels

 

WMF started making glass in 1883 when a glass house was built at Geisslingen near Stuttgart to produce their own glass inserts. The original 1883 glass house was destroyed during the First World War and a new, more modern facility opened in 1922. The young glass designer Karl Wiedmann perfected the technique of iridised surfaces and the resulting “MYRA”- Kristall entered production in 1926. The same year also saw the beginning of the first “IKORA” glass – reputedly discovered by accident whilst correcting a Myra glass piece. Both Myra and Ikora glass continued to be produced until around 1936, when production of art-glass ceased. Because of the technique used, combining colours and treatments, each Ikora piece is unique.

WMF’s rapid expansion was in part due to astute acquisitions, often with competitors, that gave the company entry and expansion into the Russian and Austrian markets as well as growing inside Germany. But it was WMF’s focus on technology and design that enabled them to produce innovative pieces that were desired by the newly moneyed middle classes. WMF collaborated with leading artists of the time – translating the emerging Jugendstil style into attainable household items. WMF pieces are now very popular among collectors – considered as the best samples of the Art Nouveau style (Jugendstil in Germany and Secessionist in Austria)