Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wiener Silber Manufactur?
Wiener Silber Manufactur is a Viennese silversmithing house of the highest distinction, dedicated to preserving and extending the extraordinary tradition of Viennese silver craft while embracing the possibilities of the contemporary.
What heritage does Wiener Silber Manufactur represent?
Recognized by its celebrated four-leaf clover hallmark, the house works in fine silver to produce flatware and decorative objects of remarkable precision and beauty, blending archival design concepts with a sophisticated modern sensibility. Available through Kneen & Co, Wiener Silber Manufactur represents Vienna at its most refined.
What is the Josef Hoffmann collection?
The Josef Hoffmann collection is the crown jewel of Wiener Silber Manufactur’s portfolio—a body of flatware inspired by the legendary designs created during the Wiener Werkstätte period.
What makes Hoffmann No. 135 sterling silver flatware exceptional?
At 94% pure silver, the Hoffmann No. 135 is crafted to a standard of purity and weight that immediately distinguishes it from lesser silver goods. Each piece is made by hand using the traditional silversmiths’ methods that have been practiced in Viennese workshops for centuries, resulting in a tactile and visual quality entirely unique to handcraft.
What is the significance of the Wiener Werkstätte in understanding this collection?
The Wiener Werkstätte—the legendary Viennese design cooperative founded in 1903—was among the most influential movements in the history of applied arts, and its guiding spirit, Josef Hoffmann, created flatware designs from that period that remain among the most architecturally resolved and visually compelling ever conceived. To own Hoffmann No. 135 is to own a living piece of that extraordinary history.
Are Wiener Silber Manufactur pieces appropriate as heirloom gifts?
Yes. A set of Hoffmann No. 135 sterling silver flatware is among the most distinguished and enduring gifts one can give, a commission of genuine artistic and material significance that will grace a table for generations.
How does Wiener Silber Manufactur balance tradition and contemporary design?
Wiener Silber Manufactur occupies a rare and sophisticated position, deeply rooted in the archival richness of Viennese silversmithing history, yet entirely engaged with the possibilities of contemporary design. The house’s four-leaf clover hallmark is a guarantee of both material purity and creative integrity.