Object Description
A stunning and rare Austrian Wiener Werkstatte secessionist wooden dressing table box with linear patterning attributed to Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956) and dating from around 1912. The box was acquired as possibly by Bertold Löffler (1874-1960) however includes a card written by Löffler gifting the box apparently to a student of Hoffmann. As both worked at the Wiener Werkstatte it is more than likely that they acquired work from each other. The contrasting linear design as shown on this box was one of Josef Hoffmann’s trade marks repeated in many of his designs including the highly acclaimed Series B glasses produced with Lobmeyr and debuted at the Werkbund Exhibition in Cologne in 1914. He also used similar contrasting linear patterning on glassworks produced at Loetz. He also carried the nickname Quadrati-Hoffmann (Square Hoffmann) amongst his peers for his love of the use of squares in his designs. This oval shaped and lidded box is a design icon and a good early example raised on four elongated ball shaped feet with a step carved cover and raised central finial. The box has a simple contrasting black line design applied to the natural color of the wood with black applied to the feet and handle. The inner box is lined with silk and remnants of an old paper label is attached to the base. The box comes with an original written label from Bertold Löffler along with a card from C Bulhmayer, prestigious gilders and framers in Vienna where the box was acquired in 2013. The box is not marked