Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

Pair of WHW Hagenauer Art Deco Bronze Felix the Cat Austria Figurine

About the Item

Pair of Beautiful Singing Cats. Antique and very rare Karl Hagenauer Felix the miniature cat Art Deco brass figurine from WHW Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Vienna, Austria, early 20th century. Handmade with wonderful and precise craftsmanship. Fine example of Vienna bronze and a truly splendid little gems! One of them is signed under the cat. Carl Hagenauer founded Atelier Hagenauer in 1898. His sons Karl and Franz continued his legacy from 1928 to 1985. Together, they have created thousands of different designs with a primary focus on the decorative arts. His creativity gave rise to the acclaimed "Hagenauer Workshop" and it quickly became the most famous Viennese workshop in the world. Hagenauer designed these objects in a minimalist style, elegant angles, and an emphasis on fluidity of movement. In the early 1920s, Atelier Hagenauer began producing brass miniatures that became popular as gifts and souvenirs. The first characters had a brass or nickel-plated finish. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1995. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style for sale. Why are there so many antiques in Argentina? In the 1880 – 1940 there was a grate wave of immigration encouraged by the periods of war that were taking place. 1st World War took place between 1914 and 1918 2nd World War took place between 1939 and 1945 The immigrants options were New York or Buenos Aires. Tickets were cheap and in Buenos Aires they were welcomed with open arms, as it was a country where everything was still to be done. Argentina was the country of new opportunities, labour was needed and religious freedom was assured, in many cases the of the family travel first until they were settled and then the rest of the family members join them. In the immigrant museum “Ellis Island Immigrant Building” in New York you can se the promotional posters of the boats that would take them to a new life. Between the years 1895 and 1896, Argentina had the highest DGP (gross domestic product) per capita in the world according to the Maddison Historical Statistics index, this situation arose due to the large amount of food being exported to European countries, which were at war. The Argentinean ships left the port of Buenos Aires with food, but they returned with furniture, clothes and construction elements, (it´s common to see this the old buildings of the historic neighbourhood of San Telmo, the beams with the inscription “Made in England)”, as well as many markets that were built in Buenos Aires, such us the San Telmo Market, whose structure was brought by ship and afterwards assembled in 900 Defensa Street. With the great influence of European immigrants living in the country, the children of the upper classes travelled to study in France, resulting in the inauguration of “La Maison Argentinienne”, on 27th of June 1928, in the international city of Paris, which hosted many Argentinians that were studying in Frace. It´s the fourth house to be built after France, Canada and Belgium, being the first Spanish-speaking one. Still in place today (17 Bd Jourdan, 75014, Paris, France). Many of the children of these wealthy families who attended international art exhibitions, museums and art courses abroad, took a keen interest in the European style. This is why Buenos Aires was at the time referred as “The Paris of South America”. Between the years 1890 and 1920 more than a hundred Palaces were built on Alvear Avenue the most exclusive avenue in Buenos Aires. Today some of these palaces have been transformed into museums, hotels and embassies. In the year 1936, the Kavanagh building was inaugurated, it was the tallest reinforced concrete building in South America. During 1994 the American Society of Civil Engineers distinguished it as an “international engineering milestone”, and it´s now considered a World Heritage of Modern Architecture. At the time was common to hire foreign architects such as Le Corbusier, who visited Buenos Aires/Argentina in 1929 and in 1948 he drew up the blueprints for a house built in La Plata City (which was declared a World Heritage Site). In 1947, the Hungarian architect Marcelo Breuer designed “Parador Ariston” in the seaside city of Mar del Plata. After an Argentinean student at Harvard University convinced him to come to Argentina. He worked on an urban development project in the Casa Amarilla, area of La Boca. The Ukrainian architect, Vladimiro Acosta, arrives in Argentina in 1928 and worked as an architect until que moved to Brazil. Antonio Bonet, a Spanish architect who worked with Le Corbusier in Paris, arrives in Argentina in 1937, where he carried out several architectural works and in 1938 designs the well-known BFK chair. Andres Kálnay, of Hungarian origin, made around 120 architectural masterpieces, among which the former Munich brewery stands out, he even made the furniture’s design. The German architect, Walter Gropius, director of the Bauhaus, lived in Argentina, where he wrote articles for “Sur” magazine and founded in Buenos Aires, an architectural firm with Franz Möller, who was also an architect, where he built two houses. At the same time several famous designers decided to immigrate to Argentina, among them we can find the well-known French designer, Jean-Michel Frank, who arrived in the country in 1940 and also worked for the Rockefeller family. Special pieces were made, which were sold exclusively in the country, such as the well-known German company “WMF”, who sold their products by catalogue, which were chosen by the ladies of high society in the list of wedding gifts, as well as the pieces designed by Christofle. The Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti, made special pieces for Argentinean mansions. In 1904 the first Jansen branch outside Paris was established in Buenos Aires, as the Argentinean clientele demanded a large amount of furniture, from the end of the 19th century to the mid-20th century. In 1970, the brand Rigolleau Argentina made pieces authorised by Lalique. The brands Maple and Thompson also set up shop in the country. The French plastic artist, Marcel Duchamp moved to Argentina in 1918-1919. Glass signed Gallé, Charder, Leverre, Schneider, Muller and other French firms. They were bought in flower shops and were given to ladies with beautiful floral arrangements. Some furniture manufacturers travelled to international fairs and bough the patterns to produce the furniture in Argentina, such as the furniture firm Englander and Bonta, who bought the patterns in Italy. It is worth mentioning that in Argentina we have the largest community of Italians outside of Italy, as it is estimated that 70 percent of the inhabitants have at least one Italian descendant, followed by Spanish immigrants. The most Important furniture stores in Argentina: Comte is founded in 1934 (under the direct management of Jean Michel Frank in 1940). Nordiska (Swedish company established in 1934). Churba in 1960, a company that brought foreign designers to present their furniture in the country: Denmark: (Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, Bender Madsen, Ejner Larsen, Poul Kjaerholm, Hans Wegner) Sweden: (Hans Agne Jakobsson, Gustavsberg) United States: (Herman Miller) Finland: (Lisa Johansson, Folke Arstrom, Tapio Wirkkala, Alvar Aalto, Timo Sarpaneva) Swedish Factory: (Orrefors) Italy: (Littala, Vico Magistretti, Emma Gismondi, Gae Aulenti, Angelo Mangiarotti, Elio Martinelli, Gianna Celada, Angelo Mangiarotti, Mario Bellini, Carlo Scarpa) Finland: (Olivia Toikka) Plata Lappas (Lappas Silver): a goldsmith shop founded in 1887 in Argentina by Alcibiades Lappas of Greek origin. In 2019, in Argentina took place “the Art Deco world congress” . Argentina currently has more than 100 Art Deco buildings and another 90 Art Nouveau buildings throughout the city of Buenos Aires. Argentina is a country that has not been involved in many wars, which is why it has been a refuge for works of art and antiques from different periods of time, unlike European countries. That is way many collectors, museums and antique dealers from all over the world visit it, you should not miss the opportunity to visit this great country.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 1.66 in (4.2 cm)Diameter: 1.19 in (3 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Art Deco (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1930´s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Buenos Aires, AR
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2027342604762

More From This Seller

View All
Art Deco Bronze Hagenauer Sculpture of a Cat 1930´s
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Hagenauer Bronze Sculpture / Figure of a cat looking threw a hole. The sculpture is called: Cat in front of mouse hole. It was made in Austria in 1930 - 1935. Very good conditions. T...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Hagenauer Bronze Head of an African Woman, 1930´s.
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco Hagenauer Bronze Head of an African Woman, 1930´s. Rare decorative art object Made of bronze. Hallmarks on the bottom "Atelier Hagenauer Wein, Made in Austria, WHW" Original vintage condition with patina. Great for collectors. Great sample of the Deco period in Austria with this woman bronze...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Monkey Candle Holder by Karl Hagenauer, Austria 1920´s
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco Monkey ¨Affe¨Candle Holder by Karl Hagenauer, Austria 1920´s. Lovely and rare Karl Hagenauer Sculpture, made of silvered bronze. Stamped under it. Affe mit Kerzenleuchter
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Weightlifter Hagenauer Mid-Century / Art Deco Sculpture, Austria, 1930
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco / Vintage liftweight sculpture. Weightlifter Hagenauer mid-century / Art Deco Sculpture - Austria 1930 Franz Hagenauer sculpture of a weightlifte...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Mid Century / Art Deco / Vintage Brass Stretching Hagenauer Cat Sculpture Figure
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Mid Century Lovely Stretching Hagenauer Sculpture, in the form of a cat. Made by Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien. Stamped Atelier Hagenauer Wien - Made in Austria and the Logo. A metallic...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Josephine Baker Female Dancer Brass Statue, Austria 1930 Karl Hagenauer
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Exceptional Karl Hagenauer statue of a female dancer sculpture, commonly titled as Josephine Baker, cast and nickel plated brass, circa 1930s. , manufactured by Werkstätte Hagenauer ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Brass

You May Also Like

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...
Category

Vintage 1930s Austrian Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique Art Deco Period Austrian Hagenauer Bronze Dog
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in San Francisco, CA
Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wienstamp - stamped WHW made in Austria, circa 1940's bronze horse sculpture.
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Female Figurine in the Style of Werkstätte Hagenauer
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Statuette of an elegantly dressed lady made of brass on a wooden base.
Category

20th Century European Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Brass

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.
Category

Vintage 1940s Austrian Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Karl Hagenauer (wHw) 1930s Wiener Werkstätte Bronze Sailor Figure w/ Accordion
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
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.
Category

Vintage 1930s Austrian Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Karl Hagenauer (wHw) 1920s Wiener Werkstätte Bronze Miniature Figure Skater
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in St. Louis, MO
Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wienstamp - stamped WHW made in Austria, circa 1920s bronze miniature female figure ice skater sculpture. Mounted on marble block with museum putty, removable. Mounted by previous owner. Marble base is 3" x 3" x 2.5"h From the estate of Joan Conway Crancer, daughter of the famous St. Louis painter Fred Conway, and was a passionate art collector, included in her collection were Calder Sculptures, Max Beckman...
Category

Vintage 1920s Austrian Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Recently Viewed

View All