Munich was one of the most prolific & creative centers for metal design during the early part of the 20th century. There was a fluid Art Nouveau meets Arts & Crafts style that is very unique and easy to attribute once one sees enough forms. Some of the major figures of metal from Munich include Richard Riemerschmid, Ludwig Vierthaler, Friedrich Adler, Ernst Riegel and Bruno Paul. Many of these figures were a part of the Vereinigte Werkstatten fur Kunst im Handwerk , a group founded by Riemerschmid in 1897.

Vierthaler worked for J. Winhart & Co (sold under moniker, EOSIN) designing many whimsical pieces that included hammered and enamelled patterns of salamanders, stingrays, octopus, and more. He would apply incredible colored patinas and set his work with stones or shell. His early training was at Tiffany & Co in NYC around 1895.