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.
Side Table, Bar by Julius Jirasek for Hagenauer Wien
By Julius Jirasek, Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Vienna, AT
Solid walnut construction with caned shelf and glass table top designed by Julius Jirasek for Werkstätte Karl Hagenauer, Vienna, circa 1957. Original condition.
Cane, Glass, Walnut
Seldom Seen Art Deco Occasional Table by Hagenauer for Rena Rosenthal
By Rena Rosenthal, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Buffalo, NY
This lovely table was cast with incredible detail and is stamped RWR for Rena Rosenthal Werkstatt. She often commissioned Hagenauer to make pieces for her, which is well documented.,...
Metal, Iron
$2,890Sale Price|27% Off
Side Table by Julius Jirasek for Hagenauer Wien
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Julius Jirasek
Located in Vienna, AT
Solid walnut construction with caned shelf and glass table top designed by Julius Jirasek for Werkstätte Karl Hagenauer, Vienna, circa 1932. Original condition. Dimension: height ...
Cane, Glass, Walnut
Cast Resin 'Bilbouquet' Table by Zachary A. Design
By Zachary A. Bitner
Located in Chicago, IL
A symmetrical sculptural balance of elegance and function. Dimensions: Diameter 15 in. (38 cm), height 16 in. (40.6 cm). Weight 20 lbs. (9 kg). Materials: Resin, stone aggregate, ...
Resin, Fiberglass
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 21 in Dm 19.5 in
Nikolaus Hagenauer for Rena Rosenthal Cast Metal Art Deco Table
By Rena Rosenthal
Located in Chicago, IL
Intricately cast Art Deco tripodal side table by Rena Rosenthal. Tabletop is a beautifully detailed collage of foliage, African women on horses, and a b...
Metal
Vintage Art Deco Style Occasional Table
By Maitland Smith
Located in Houston, TX
1980s Art Deco style occasional table attributed to Maitland Smith. Wonderfully crafted with wood tiles.
Wood
Cast Resin 'Bilbouquet' Table by Zachary A. Design
By Zachary A. Bitner
Located in Chicago, IL
A symmetrical sculptural balance of elegance and function. Dimensions: Diameter 18 in. (45.7 cm), height 18 in. (45.7 cm). Weight 20 lbs. (9 kg). Materials: Resin, stone aggregate...
Resin, Fiberglass
Art Deco Garden Patio Table with Crossed Arrow Legs
By Leinfelder, Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Unusual Art Deco wrought iron table having classical X-form arrow base, with glass top. Currently in older white paint finish, glass top has damage, top is ...
Wrought Iron
Art Deco Figured Walnut Occasional Side / Coffee Table
Located in London, GB
A smart and very well made Art Deco figured walnut occasional side / coffee table. This was made in England, it dates from the 1930’s. The quality is excellent, the circular top and...
Walnut
Art Deco Occasional Side Table
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and very striking Art Deco occasional side table. This was made in England, it dates from the 1930’s. It is of superb quality, with a very useful design. It is perfect f...
Wood
Art Deco Design Occasional Side table, France 1930's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Original Art Deco Design Occasional Side Table. Made in France, 1930's period. Solid hardwood and veneer, with carved side panels on this octagonal two tier side table. This comes in...
Oak
Rosewood Side Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar sculpted rosewood table with glass top.
Rosewood
Side Table by Salterini
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in New York, NY
Architectural side table manufactured by Salterini, design attributed to Tempestini. Metal mesh top with wrought iron rod base, currently in original brown paint finish (shows wear)...
Steel, Wrought Iron
Art Deco Walnut Occasional Side Table
Located in London, GB
A stunning Art Deco walnut occasional side table, made in England and dating from the 1930’s. It is of superb quality with a stylish and useful design. The circular top is segmented...
Walnut
Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal Ceramic Art Tiles Hibachi Grill Table, 1960s
By Rosenthal, Bjorn Wiinblad, Bjørn Wiinblad
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking example of Bjorn Wiinblad’s rare hibachi grill table for Rosenthal, Germany, circa 1960s. Designed as both a functional and decorative centerpiece, the table features a cy...
Concrete
Cast Metal Art Deco Table by Hagenauer for Rena Rosenthal
By Karl Hagenauer, Rena Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
Rare and sought after Art Deco table made by Hagenauer for Rena Rosenthal. This classic table features stylized female figures on horses amid foliate as the top surface, on three dra...
Iron
Sold
H 16.5 in W 20 in D 20 in
Two-Tiered Werkstätte Hagenauer Coffee Table by Julius Jirasek, Austria, 1930s
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Julius Jirasek
Located in Vienna, AT
An elegant Austrian coffee or side table from the 1930s. Designed in 1932 by Julius Jirasek for Werkstätte Karl Hagenauer. This table has a clear glass top and a woven cane storage...
Cane, Rattan, Glass, Wood