Important Silversmiths - Würbel & Czokally
The respectable firm Würbel & Czocally was founded in Vienna by Vincenz Czokally in 1864. Vincenz Czokally specialized in centrepieces, tankards, candelabras, objects of vertu in the late Historicism style. Inspired by the Neo-Baroque motifs, Szokally works were highly appreciated at the Court of Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria.
In 1883, Czokally’s workshop created the magnificent Imperial silver and hardstone jewel cabinet, which was presented by the Emperor and Empress of Austria to the Crown Prince and Princess of Germany for their silver wedding.
The firm was inherited by Vincenz's son Anton Czocally in 1890 and later in 1892, he was joined by Carl Würbel. The company's name was changed to Würbel & Czocally, they began to hallmark the pieces with "W&C" and the symbol of "crossed hammers above an anvil". The marks were usually complemented with the Vincenz Mayer's Söhne or Schwarz & Steinermarks, as the retailers.
Würbel & Czocally produced numerous astonishing silver works in the Imperial style for the Royal Court and innumerous Austrian nobility. The company also left a unique trace in silver making history by collaborating with Josef Hoffmann, one of the early Jugendstil and Art Nouveau style adopters. His outstanding unconventional designs of silver centrepieces, goblets, lamps, sports trophies were finely executed with concise forms and martelé surfaces.
Anton Czocally retired from the business in 1900 and later, in 1913, after Carl's death, the firm was inherited by Josef Würbel. The company was active until 1927.
