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.
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
$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
$636Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.25 in W 11.5 in D 6.5 in
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
$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
$1,700
H 5 in W 4 in D 0.75 in
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
$925
H 5.71 in W 2.84 in D 2.84 in
Gio Ponti Wonderfully Patinated 'Soliflore' Vase for Arthur Krupp Milano, 1930s
By Arthur Krupp, Gio Ponti
Located in Meer, VAN
A truly beautiful so called 'Soliflore' vase designed by Gio Ponti for Arthur Krupp Milano in the 1930s. The shape is simple and sleek, but very elegant. The desirable patina make...
Silver
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
$795
H 2.38 in W 3 in D 1 in
Karl Hagenauer (wHw) 1940s Wiener Werkstätte Bronze Miniature Figure of a Goat
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
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
$850
H 1.75 in W 1.75 in D 1 in
WHW Hagenauer Art Deco Bronze Felix The Cat Austria Miniature Figurine
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A stylish and stylized miniature of Felix the cat by Werkstatte Haugenauer Wien, made in Austria. Very charming and beautifully made of bronze, signed on...
Bronze
$1,250
H 5 in W 2.5 in D 2 in
Karl Hagenauer (wHw) 1930s Wiener Werkstätte Bronze Sailor Figure w/ Accordion
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
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
$391Sale Price|25% Off
H 7.49 in W 5.12 in D 1.97 in
Vintage Bronze Decorative Figure of a Woman attributed to Karl Hagenauer
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
1940s. This item is made in bronze and might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considered as in excellent original condition and ready to become a piece in ...
Bronze
$2,800
H 9 in Dm 3.5 in
Art Deco Brass & Wood Figural Female Sculpture by Hagenauer Wien Austria 1930s
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Troy, MI
Art Deco figurative sculpture by Hagenauer Werkstatte Wien Austria Circa 1930s Sculpted wood and brass silhouette of a female mounted to brass base Signed to underside 3.5 inch dia...
Brass
Hammered Copper Pot by Karl Hagenauer
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in San Francisco, CA
A patinated hammered copper pot with brass rim and 3 feet, by Karl Hagenauer for Werkstatten Hagenauer. Impressed on base with manufacturers mark.
Copper
Karl Hagenauer Watering Can Copper & Brass, Vienna 1950s
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Basel, BS
Karl Hagenauer watering can for his own workshop in Vienna, in the 1950s. Hand-made of copper and brass, patinated over the years. Oxidation spot...
Brass, Copper