OBJECTS Interiors and the Art of Furniture Design Pair of vases, c. 1900 WMF, Geislingen, Germany Pewter, cast; height 18.5 cm The German metalworking company based in Geislingen was established in 1853 by Daniel Straub. Originally known as Metall-Waaren-Fabrik Straub und Schweizer, the company changed its name to WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik) after merging with its competitor, A. Ritter Co. With affiliate branches in Poland, Austria and Great Britain, the firm occupied a dominant position on the German market in the first quarter of the 20th century. The vast majority of its output consisted of silver and tin alloy items. The firm founded its own art designing studio, with Peter Behrens, Hans Peter, Albin Müller and many other artists providing designs. Originally including glass inlays, these two companion vases are trihedral in form, with three curving handles and a circular mouth depicting anemone flowers. Plastically rendered figures of kneeling girls playing a harp and pipes are featured in the forefront.