Glass
Austria, circa 1920
Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956)
Designed by Hoffmann for the Wiener Werkstätte
Manufactured by Moser
Wiener Werkstätte acid mark on base
Wide faceted form
6” x 7” (height x depth)
Very good condition

A classic form by Josef Hoffmann, a founder of the Wiener Werkstätte and one of the greatest designers of the early 20th century. This example, with its flared and faceted form, bears the acid etched mark of the Wiener Werkstätte and was made at the Moser factory in Karlovy Vary. The rich green color of this vase is achieved with the use of chromium oxide as a colorant and is rarer than the cobalt and amethyst examples which one sees more frequently.

The vase contains a Wiener Werkstätte acid mark on the base and is in good condition, with two very small flaws formed by seed bubbles, along with the wear one expects to see along the base. It measures 6” x 7” (height x depth).

Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956)

Josef Hoffmann was an Austrian architect, designer and draughtsman born Brtnice, Moravia (now Czech Republic). Studying at the Higher State Crafts in Brno and the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Hoffmann helped found the Vienna Secession in 1897 with Koloman Moser and Gustav Klimt and the Wiener Werkstätte in 1903. Some of his notable architecture projects include the Purkersdorf Sanatorium (1903), Stoclet House (1905) and the Austrian Pavilion for the International Art Exhibition in Rome (1911) and for the Venice Biennale (1934). From 1899 to 1936 Hoffmann held a teaching position at Vienna’s School of Applied Arts. Hoffmann’s product designs, such as the “Sitzmaschine” chair, sets of glasses and a lamp can be found in the MoMA and his tea service can be seen at the MET.