Karl Hagenauer was an important and popular figure in the decorative arts in Vienna in the decades bracketing the Second World War. While primarily a maker of sculptural decorative pieces, Hagenauer — in the same spirit as his peer Carl Auböck— created a wide array of household objects, from barware to office accessories, all designed with wit and a sleek modernist aesthetic.
Hagenauer’s father was a trained metalsmith who founded a bronzewares manufactory that produced decorative metalwork and housewares in both traditional and the then-novel Art Nouveau styles and cast small sculptures based on Old Masters paintings. After studying art and design at Vienna’s School of Applied Arts, where his teachers included architect Josef Hoffmann, a founder of the Wiener Werkstätte, he joined his father’s workshop in 1919 and began crafting items that reflected Hoffman’s modernist aesthetic. In the 1920s and ’30s, he developed an often-imitated style that combines the lithe, lissome lines of Art Nouveau (known in central Europe as Jugendstil) with the simple, unadorned forms of Art Deco. He worked primarily in brass — both polished and nickel-plated — as well as wood.
In addition to domestic items such as smoking accoutrements, teapots, trays, bowls, candleholders and tableware, Hagenauer produced a wide array of small-scale sculptures. (His younger brother, Franz— who took over the family business when their father died — was also a noted sculptor, with a style that could be described as Art-Deco-meets-Brancusi.) Karl’s sculptures fall into two main groups: humorous and whimsical animal and character figures that will remind many of the work of artist Tom Otterness and sleek, stylized animal and human forms, many with an African theme — an “exotic” connotation that was a 20th-century remnant of colonialism. As you will see from the items on offer, Karl Hagenauer was an artist-designer of great talent and many moods: affable, stylish and practical.
Set of Karl Hagenauer Bronze Miniature Animal Sculptures Werkstatte Wien Austria
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Troy, MI
A grouping of 4 bronze miniatures originally designed by Karl Hagenauer circa 1940s for Werkstatte Hagenauer Wien Austria Stylized animal figures in solid bronze and stamped to unde...
Bronze
Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Oblong Hammered footed Brass Bowl, Karl Hagenauer
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Oblong Hammered footed Brass Bowl, Karl Hagenauer Austria, Circa 1950s A fine example designed by Karl Hagenauer for the...
Brass
Karl Hagenauer Hand-Hammered Footed Copper and Brass Bowl
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Karl Hagenauer footed copper and brass bowl. Signed bottom Werkstatten Hagenauer Wien, made in Austria, Karl. Dates to the 1950s.
Brass, Copper
Art Déco Silvered Metal Elephant with Bowl/Ashtray by Hagenauer Wien, Austria
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in North Miami, FL
1930s Art Déco silvered metal elephant sculpture holding a bowl/ashtray by Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Austria By: Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer Material: metal, silver, ...
Metal, Silver, Silver Plate
Karl Hagenauer candle holder around 1930s ( signed )
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Wien, Au
Karl Hagenauer candle holder around 1930s ( signed ) Original condition Original patina
Brass
Brass Stork Sculpture by Karl Hagenauer for Werkstatte Hagenauer Wein
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an option, the defau...
Brass, Nickel
Hagenauer Vienna Brass Candelabra Mid-Century Candle Holder, Austria, 1940s
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Austrian two-arm mid century brass candleholder / candlestick, designed and executed by Karl Hagenauer / Werkstatte Hagenauer in the 1940s. In very good condition, marked...
Brass
Hagenauer Sculpture "Woman Walking Panther, " Vienna
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Vintage Art Deco sculpture by Hagenauer, Vienna. Made approximately 1930, brass body with nickel coating. The black panther was restored (pa...
Brass
1920's Art Deco Karl Hagenauer Lady Golfer Bronze & Marble Vide Poche or Ashtray
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Red Lion, PA
This exceptional 1920s Karl Hagenauer bronze lady golfer vide-poche / ashtray captures the refined, stylized aesthetic that defines Hagenauer’s celebrated early work. The bronze figu...
Marble, Bronze
Karl Hagenauer (wHw) 1940s Wiener Werkstätte Bronze Miniature Figure of a Goat
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in St. Louis, MO
Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wienstamp - stamped WHW made in Austria, circa 1940s bronze miniature sculpture of a goat, from his animal / zoo series.
Bronze
20th Century Art Déco Brass Seated Greyhound Dog by Karl Hagenauer, Austria
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 20th Century Art Déco polished brass seated greyhound dog figurine by Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien (WHW), Austria By: Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien...
Metal, Brass, Copper, Zinc
Karl Hagenauer (wHw) 1930s Wiener Werkstätte Bronze Sailor Figure w/ Accordion
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in St. Louis, MO
Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wienstamp - stamped WHW, Hagenauer Wein made in Austria, circa 1930s bronze miniature sculpture of a sailor playing an accordion.
Bronze
Untitled 'Christ' Sculpture by Karl Hagenauer, 1950, Rosewood and Bronze
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare Untitled (Jesus Christ) table top sculpture by Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer, Austria, c. 1950 Brazilian rosewood body and bronze head and hands. One hand turns in pl...
Bronze
Wonderful Hagenauer Silver Donkey Box
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Munich, DE
Wooden bow with silver donkey handle.
Silver
Vintage Karl Hagenauer Bowls, Brass and Black Metal Set of Four, 1950's
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely vintage Austrian set by Karl Hagenauer of four low bowls, dishes or sculptures definitely have a fish motif. They have black metal over brass surrounded by polished brass...
Brass, Metal
Hagenauer Art Deco decorative box made of silver-plated metal
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Hagenauer Art Deco Silver-Plated Decorative Box Hagenauer Art Deco decorative box. It features a rectangular silver-plated metal base with straight sides and curved dark wood support...
Metal
Dancing klown by Karl Hagenauaer
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Dancing klown by Karl Hagenauaer. A wrought copper collar connects the bronze head with the metal body.
Metal, Bronze, Copper
Karl Hagenauer Native American on Horseback Bronze Figure
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful bronze figurine by Karl Hagenauer of Hagenauer Werkstatte Austria of a Native American on Horseback. The figure is stamped on the base. Nice detail and craftsmanship as i...
Bronze
Art Deco Relief Wall Mirror, Cast Brass, by Karl Hagenauer Vienna, 1930s
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Vienna, AT
Ornate openwork frame featuring stylised animals and floral elements in a whimsical geometric arrangement, crafted from cast brass. Manufactory: WERKSTAETTE HAGENAUER WIEN / WORKS...
Brass
Austrian Midcentury Brass and Black Metal, Locomotive by Hagenauer Vienna
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare model of a locomotive, handmade of metal and brass by Werkstatte Hagenauer Vienna in the 1920s. Marked on its bottom WHW, Hagenauer Wien, made in Austria, handmade. Very nice ...
Brass, Metal
1920s Art Déco Nickeled Brass Kangaroo Sculpture by Karl Hagenauer, Austria
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in North Miami, FL
1920s Art Déco nickel-brass small kangaroo sculpture by Karl Hagenauer (Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien), Austria By: Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien Material: metal, copper, br...
Metal, Copper, Nickel, Zinc, Brass
Figurine "Dancing Woman" by Karl Hagenauer
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass figurine showing an African dancing woman. Manufactured by Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien in the 1950s.
Ceramic
African Native Warrior Bronze Sculptures, Werkstatte Hagenauer, Austria, 1950s
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A beautiful group of three (3) Mid-Century, black-patinated bronze and brass sculptures, showing stylized African native warriors with shields and spears . Designed and executed by K...
Bronze
Karl Hagenauer (wHw) 1920s Wiener Werkstätte Bronze Miniature Figure Skater
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in St. Louis, MO
Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wienstamp - stamped WHW made in Austria, circa 1920s bronze miniature female figure ice skater sculpture. Mounted on marble block with museum putty, removable. Mounted by previous owner. Marble base is 3" x 3" x 2.5"h From the estate of Joan Conway Crancer, daughter of the famous St. Louis painter Fred Conway, and was a passionate art collector, included in her collection were Calder Sculptures, Max Beckman...
Marble, Bronze
Hagenauer Bronze Werkstatte Hagenauer Bronze Warrior Art Deco Sculpture
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
This bronze figure depicts a stylized warrior, a signature piece of the Viennese Art Deco style, attributed to Karl Hagenauer and produced during an early and rare period of his work...
Bronze
Sculpture in Brass by Karl Hagenauer, 1950's
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sculpture in Brass by Karl Hagenauer, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien in Austria Dimensions (W ...
Brass
African Bust Figure Hagenauer
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Hagenauer African Bust This bust represents a stylized African female figure, crafted from wood with a polished finish that highlights the natural grain of the material in dark brown...
Bronze
Small Art Deco Brass Cat Box Karl Hagenauer, Brass, Austria
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Brussels, BE
Small Art Deco brass cat box Karl hagenauer, Brass, Austria.
Brass
Art Deco Dancer Werkstatte Hagenauer Vienna Brass Polished Wood, Designed 1930s
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco Dancer Werkstatte Hagenauer Vienna Brass Polished Wood, Designed 1930s In the beginning the Werkstatte Hagenauer produced everyday life items li...
Bronze
Patinated Solid Brass Karl Hagenauer Candle Holder, Werkstatte Hagenauer Wien
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Doraville, GA
A patinated brass handled candle holder by Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien. The candle holder dates from the 1950’s. The candle holder is 3 3/4 inches tall, 2 1/2 inche...
Brass
Karl Hagenauer sculpture
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Sculpture par Karl Hagenauer représentant une femme assise.
Wood
1930s Karl Hagenauer Design for Whw Wien Austria Soliflore Tulip Vase Bronze
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Biella, IT
Karl Hagenauer design for Whw Wien Austria "soliflore" tulip vase bronze years 30 deco. Measure height 9 inches diameter 2,4", all signed and handmade. Good vintage condition.
Bronze