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
$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
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
Decorative Art Deco Brass Box around 1920s
Located in Wien, Au
Decorative Art Deco Brass Box around 1920s Brass polished and stove enameled
Brass
$20,559
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
Large Malachite Box Gemstone Box Ocean Floor
Located in Somis, CA
This beautiful large gemstone box is finely crafted with the finest malachite in brilliant green. The cover with beveled edge demonstrates a stunning patt...
Malachite
Art Deco Macassar Wood Decorative Lidded Box, circa 1930
By Studio Art Deco
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite Art Deco modernist lidded box boasts a minimalist yet refined and sophisticated shape, featuring varnish Macassar wood adorned with tropical wooden edging trims. The r...
Wood, Macassar
R&Y Augousti Box
By R & Y Augousti
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Small vintage R&Y Augousti Art Deco style box with inlayed faux bamboo decoration retailers label to the underside Paris France circa 1990 R&Y Augousti was founded in 1989 by husband-wife duo Ria & Yiouri Augousti. Their artistic backgrounds brought them together as innovators in their field by reviving the artisanal techniques of shagreen and other exotic materials that were predominant in the Art Deco period of the 1930s. Through their mix of vintage and contemporary design their furniture and home accessories brand were met with worldwide praise. From a debut collection for the luxurious Hotel Crillon...
Brass
$1,825
H 1.5 in W 8.25 in D 3.5 in
Vintage Art Deco Bronze, Silver Plate Hinged Box By Silvercrest Bronze Co., 30's
By Silver Crest Bronze
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely, handsome vintage and well-made heavy box from Silver Crest Co. is hallmarked on the bottom genuine silver crest bronze SMA 518-36, 59....
Silver Plate, Bronze
$1,117
H 2.56 in W 10.83 in D 7.68 in
Silver Plated Cigar Box or Jewelry Box - Art Deco Decorative Box - France 1930s
By Maria Pergay
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Silver Plated Cigar Box or Jewelry Box - Art Deco Decorative Box - France 1930s Tall and elegant cigar box crafted in silver plated metal, and mahogany. Originally meant to receive...
Metal, Silver, Silver Plate
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