Art Deco Zürich 1920 Wiskemann-Knecht Traditional German craftsmanship, artful designs, and more than 160 years history are the foundations of the Wellner brand. Since its founding in 1854 in the Saxon town of Aue in the Ore Mountains, Wellner has strived to manufacture the finest silver cutlery. Whether crest, monogram, logo or ornament, artful and individual engravings make each piece of cutlery unique. Invention of "German silver" circa 1823, the Aue valley became the birthplace of an invention which would have tremendous consequences for German industry in general and the establishment of premium cutlery manufacturing in the Ore Mountains. Dr. Ernst August Geitner, an inventor, tinkerer, and chemist, invented what he called "Argentan", an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc, which we know today under the name of "German silver".