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.
$636Sale Price|20% Off
Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Oblong Hammered footed Brass Bowl, Karl Hagenauer
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
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
1920's Art Deco Karl Hagenauer Lady Golfer Bronze & Marble Vide Poche or Ashtray
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
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
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
Vide Poche Ashtray in Marble Green Color, Italy 1960
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This vide Poche, ashtray is in marble. The color is green. It has been made i, Italy circa 1960, and is in good condition.
Marble
$495
H 2.25 in W 6.25 in D 4.75 in
Italian Golden Hand-Hammered Bronze Clam Footed Bowl Key Dish Catchall Italy
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning Mid-Century Modern golden hammered handcrafted bronze clamshell footed bowl, key dish, catchall, made in Italy. Marked at the base. Great cra...
Bronze
$2,878Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.02 in W 10.01 in D 4.49 in
Austrian Midcentury Brass and Black Metal, Locomotive by Hagenauer Vienna
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
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
$1,400 / set
H 2.25 in W 1 in D 1 in
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
$690
H 3 in W 3.15 in D 4.5 in
1930's Charming Werkstätte Hagenauer Vienna Bronze Golf Vide-Poche or Ashtray
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Red Lion, PA
Capturing the whimsical spirit and sophisticated craftsmanship of the Austrian Art Deco movement, this rare 1930's patinated bronze and brass vide-poche or tray by Werkstatte Hagenau...
Bronze
Early Arts & Crafts Hammered Copper Footed Bowl by Roycroft
By Roycroft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition This early Arts & Crafts hammered copper footed bowl by Roycroft is a beautiful example of American handcrafted design from the 1910s. The rou...
Copper
French Art Nouveau Bronze Card Tray or Pin Tray, Vide - Poche, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Art Nouveau Bronze card tray or Pin Tray, Vide - Poche, 1920s This absolutely adorable card tray or pin tray, Vide - Poche, is made of bronze ...
Bronze
Hammered brass bowl around 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Hammered brass bowl around 1950s Polished and stove enameled
Brass
$3,850
H 9.5 in W 7.25 in D 2.75 in
Untitled 'Christ' Sculpture by Karl Hagenauer, 1950, Rosewood and Bronze
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
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
$1,200
H 4.75 in W 2.5 in D 3.5 in
Mahogany Bird Sculpture by Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare inlaid mahogany, with bronze legs bird sculpture by Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien. 1950s Stamped with Werkstätte Hagenauer 'wHw' roundel, 'HAGENAUER, WIEN, MADE ...
Bronze
French Art Deco Vide Poche with Lid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Art Deco silver-plated decorative bowl from France, 1930s. Stunning bowl with handles and lid. Lovely etched detail. Original finish shows nice age and patina. Perfect as a...
Silver Plate
Antique Danish Art Deco Bronze Vide-Poche Dish, Eagle Design, 1930s
By Ystad-Metall, Tinos, Sune Bäckström, Just Andersen, GAB
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Antique Danish Art Deco bronze vide-poche dish / ashtray manufactured in the 1930s. Beautifully patinated dark green and brown colored piece with an eagle spreading its wings in the ...
Metal, Bronze
Sold
H 0.38 in W 9.5 in D 6.5 in
Hagenauer Austrian Brass & Black Enamel Horse Equestrian Vide Poche or Tray
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a very sweet and unusual tray be Hagenauer of Austria from the mid-20th century. The tray is crafted of brass and then enameled in black. A charming foal is etching into the ...
Brass, Enamel
1920s by Karl Hagenauer Wiener Werkstatte Silver Metal Bowl
By Wiener Werkstätte, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Brescia, IT
Silver plated and brass base Perfect condition.
Silver, Brass