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.
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
Wonderful Hagenauer Silver Donkey Box
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Munich, DE
Wooden bow with silver donkey handle.
Silver
Antique Silver Artist’s Paint Box by Harry Atkin Sheffield 1892
By J Aitkin & Son
Located in London, GB
A stunning Antique Silver Artist’s paint box by Harry Atkin, Date Sheffield 1892. A Rare Miniature travelling paint box in excellent condition. The silver on both the outside and the interior is in superb condition. Upon opening, the front cascades down to reveal two wells for water and perhaps mixing colours. The interior is well protected thanks to the interior gilding. The lid engraved “Lettice’s Paint Box”. Lettice is a traditional, English girl’s name most commonly found in the upper classes. The actual paints are not original but the current set of paints are a later acceptable replacement. The miniature brush was with it but not original and doubt it ever had one. Dimensions; W 5” x D 3 1/4” H 1 1/4" About the maker; Atkin Brothers business traces his origin to Thomas Law...
Silver
Christofle Silver Plated Metal Box, 60s
By Christofle
Located in Catania, IT
Apple” Christofle box in good condition in silver metaL.
Metal
Vintage Christofle Silver Plated Decorative Box
By Christofle
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Signed Vintage Christofle Silver Plated Decorative Box. Nicely cast with beautiful design. This would have held cigarettes or trinkets. In very good...
Silver Plate
$1,364
H 2 in W 5.5 in D 4.5 in
Sigi Pineda MCM Hinged Box Silver, Brass, Rosewood, Sodalite, Turquoise Stone
By Sigi Pineda
Located in North Miami, FL
This unique abstract signed Mid-Century Modern mixed media hinged box is by Sigi Pineda and from Taxco Mexico in the 1950s. It is signed Sigi Taxco 8. The box is silver, brass, rosewood interior with the crushed turquoise, sodalite and other crushed stones...
Silver, Brass
Malachite Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful and substantial green Malachite decorative or jewelry box, circa late-20th century. This green Malachite box has a hexagon shape with a white onyx marble star with gold gilt detail on top lid. A great decorative piece or jewelry box (as demonstrated), to hold necklaces, rings, earring, cufflinks, etc., on a vanity, nightstand, dresser, desk, credenza, walk-in-closet, etc. Very good condition as shown in images. No chips noted. Dimensions: 3.38" Depth x 4" Width. Purple charoite box shown also available, search 1stDibs ref. #: LU1314228491742 Green malachite box with cameo, search ref. #: LU1314228492012 (SOLD) Small gold and malachite turtle...
Malachite, Onyx
Art Deco Stained Wood & Nickel Plated Bronze Decorative Box
Located in Chicago, IL
Art Deco stained wood decorative box, with nickel-plated bronze detail application on the lid.
Bronze, Nickel
Art Deco Box in Silver Plate 1950s
Located in Meer, VAN
Wonderful art deco box in silver plate, mid 20th century. This is a fine art deco style decorative silver plated box with a very distinct sunburst design. Great as a decorative box...
Silver Plate
$20,370
H 1.8 in W 4.5 in D 2.75 in
Silver Gilt and Full Radial Guilloche Enamel Singing Bird Box with Original Key
Located in London, GB
A sublime silver gilt and full radial guilloche enamel with highlights, singing bird box, with original silver and enamel key and original leather carry case. When wound and the bird-form start/stop button actuated, the magic starts immediately with the bird lid...
Silver, Enamel
$1,200Sale Price|33% Off
H 3.5 in W 7 in D 4.5 in
Huge Malachite Box 7" Gemstone Jewelry Box Hinged 4.5 lb
Located in Somis, CA
This magnificent, large 4.15 lb malachite box is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and the inherent beauty of fine-grade gemstone malachite. The carefully selected stone displ...
Malachite
$1,895
H 0.79 in W 3.42 in D 2.91 in
Ernest Cambeau Paris 1920 Art Deco Box .950 Sterling Silver with Ceylon Sapphire
By Ernest Combeau
Located in Miami, FL
A hinged box designed by Ernest Cambeau. A beautiful hinged box, created in Paris France by the silversmith Ernest Cambeau, back in the 1920. This box has been crafted in a cushio...
Multi-gemstone, Silver, Sterling Silver
$2,294
H 4.73 in W 16.15 in D 10.63 in
19th Century Italian Writing Box with Macassar Veneer and Silver Mounts
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique writing slope case. The chest is veneered with Macassar wood. Decorated with silver mounts. The interior is made of birdseed maple...
Sterling Silver
Silver-plated Art Deco Trinket Box with Egyptian Motifs
Located in Poperinge, BE
A unique Art Deco chest, perfect as a jewelry or trinket box. Decorated with Egyptian motifs in bas-relief, the top depicts a hunting scene with a chariot drawn by horses, reminiscen...
Brass
Silver Metal Cylindrical Box Signed Hagenauer
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Silver Metal Cylindrical Box Signed Hagenauer Beautiful Art Deco decorative box in silver metal, with a handle depicting a ferret on the lid, signed on the bottom of the base. Measur...
Metal