Cabinet
Decorative Arts and Design
Founded in 1903, the Wiener Werkstätte, or Vienna Workshop, produced finely handcrafted objects for daily use. Established as a cooperative of artisans, the group was led by the architect Josef Hoffmann and other pioneering modernists who sought to unify the fine and applied arts as a Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art). Due to its emphasis on handcraftsmanship and luxury materials and processes, however, the Wiener Werkstätte’s designs were only accessible to an upperclass clientele. Although the Wiener Werkstätte had no prescribed style, simple squares, rigorous geometries, and abstracted floral designs were common motifs. Applied across a range of functional and decorative objects, they can be seen here in the Hoffmann-designed vase and container, alongside wineglasses by his former student Otto Prutscher and a cabinet of the same period.
MEDIUM
Satinwood, inlay, marble top
DATES
CA. 1915
DIMENSIONS
32 3/4 x 25 5/8 x 15 3/4 in. (83.2 x 65.1 x 40 cm)
MARKINGS
no marks
SIGNATURE
no signature
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscriptions
ACCESSION NUMBER
69.38.2
CREDIT LINE
Purchased with funds given by an anonymous donor
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
RECORD COMPLETENESS
Not every record you will find here is complete. More information is available for some works than for others, and some entries have been updated more recently. Records are frequently reviewed and revised, and
we welcome any additional information you might have.
