Container with Lid
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.
DESIGNER
Josef Hoffmann, Austrian, 1870–1956
MANUFACTURER
Wiener Werkstätte, Austrian, 1903–1932
MEDIUM
iron alloy, nickel silver, brass, enamel, glass
DATES
ca. 1910
DIMENSIONS
6 3/4 x 4 3/4 in. (17.1 x 12.1 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
Stenciled on bottom in black: "WIENER/WERK/STAETTE"
COLLECTIONS
Decorative Arts and Design
ACCESSION NUMBER
2007.67.2a-c
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Frederick A. McConkey
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Squat cylindrical metal container (a) with overall perforated square cutouts covered inside and out with matte off-white paint, with fitted colorless glass liner (b) that protrudes above the metal rim. Silver top (c) with short side that fits over top of glass liner and slopes towards central tall oblate finial.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Josef Hoffmann (Austrian, 1870–1956). Container with Lid, ca. 1910. iron alloy, nickel silver, brass, enamel, glass, 6 3/4 x 4 3/4 in. (17.1 x 12.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Frederick A. McConkey, 2007.67.2a-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.2007.67.2a-c.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, CUR.2007.67.2a-c.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2012
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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