Karl Hagenauer was an important and popular figure in the decorative arts in Vienna in the decades bracketing the Second World War. While primarily a maker of sculptural decorative pieces, Hagenauer — in the same spirit as his peer Carl Auböck— created a wide array of household objects, from barware to office accessories, all designed with wit and a sleek modernist aesthetic.
Hagenauer’s father was a trained metalsmith who founded a bronzewares manufactory that produced decorative metalwork and housewares in both traditional and the then-novel Art Nouveau styles and cast small sculptures based on Old Masters paintings. After studying art and design at Vienna’s School of Applied Arts, where his teachers included architect Josef Hoffmann, a founder of the Wiener Werkstätte, he joined his father’s workshop in 1919 and began crafting items that reflected Hoffman’s modernist aesthetic. In the 1920s and ’30s, he developed an often-imitated style that combines the lithe, lissome lines of Art Nouveau (known in central Europe as Jugendstil) with the simple, unadorned forms of Art Deco. He worked primarily in brass — both polished and nickel-plated — as well as wood.
In addition to domestic items such as smoking accoutrements, teapots, trays, bowls, candleholders and tableware, Hagenauer produced a wide array of small-scale sculptures. (His younger brother, Franz— who took over the family business when their father died — was also a noted sculptor, with a style that could be described as Art-Deco-meets-Brancusi.) Karl’s sculptures fall into two main groups: humorous and whimsical animal and character figures that will remind many of the work of artist Tom Otterness and sleek, stylized animal and human forms, many with an African theme — an “exotic” connotation that was a 20th-century remnant of colonialism. As you will see from the items on offer, Karl Hagenauer was an artist-designer of great talent and many moods: affable, stylish and practical.
Karl Hagenauer candle holder around 1930s ( signed )
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Wien, Au
Karl Hagenauer candle holder around 1930s ( signed ) Original condition Original patina
Brass
Hagenauer Vienna Brass Candelabra Mid-Century Candle Holder, Austria, 1940s
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Austrian two-arm mid century brass candleholder / candlestick, designed and executed by Karl Hagenauer / Werkstatte Hagenauer in the 1940s. In very good condition, marked...
Brass
$2,882Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.02 in W 10.01 in D 4.49 in
Austrian Midcentury Brass and Black Metal, Locomotive by Hagenauer Vienna
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare model of a locomotive, handmade of metal and brass by Werkstatte Hagenauer Vienna in the 1920s. Marked on its bottom WHW, Hagenauer Wien, made in Austria, handmade. Very nice ...
Brass, Metal
$20,924 / set
H 20.48 in W 8.27 in D 8.27 in
Franz Hagenauer Werkstätte Hagenauer Vienna pair of brass candlesticks ca. 1930
By Franz Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Pair of candlesticks brass Franz Hagenauer Werkstatte Hagenauer Wien circa 1930 Austrian Art Franz and Karl Hagenauer won the gold medal at the 1930 Milan Triennale for their design...
Brass
Art Deco Candle Holders in Pewter and Brass, Sweden, 1930s Design
By Svenskt Tenn
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Art Deco candle holders made in pewter and brass made in Sweden during the 1930s. These ones wonderfully sculptured and crafted in a true art deco shape with the base and top in pewt...
Pewter
Art Deco Large Candle Holder by Just Andersen, Denmark, 1930s
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sune Bäckström, Just Andersen
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful art deco candle holder for large candles. Designed by Just Andersen in 1930s and produced by his own company in Denmark. Made from Disko metal (an alloy of different meta...
Metal
Vintage Black Metal and Brass Candle Holder, Bauhaus Style, 1940s
By Bauhaus, Stilnovo
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Simplistic black metal and brass wall candle holder for two standard size candles. Slender black mount with brass cone shaped holders. Likely manufactured in the 1940s in the style o...
Metal, Brass
Brass Candelabra - 7-Branch Menorah - Judaica Candle Holder, 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Brass Candelabra - 7-Branch Menorah - Judaica Candle Holder, 1970s Elegant 7-branch menorah crafted in solid brass, with an elegant and modern design. ...
Metal, Brass
$375
H 3 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
1930s Antique Salviati Venetian Murano Art Glass Flower Candle Holders Italy
By Salviati
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of Salviati Venetian Murano art glass flower shaped candle sticks, circa 1930s. Made in Italy. Wonderful pink color with a gold leaf design. Great form and design. In ...
Art Glass
$502Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.78 in Dm 5.91 in
Large sacred art deco bronze candle holder, Germany around 1930
Located in Hannover, DE
This pillar candle holder exudes a sacred atmosphere with its simple and high-quality workmanship. This candlestick originally came from a church and was used there for many years. T...
Bronze
$639
H 3.55 in W 7.49 in D 1.97 in
Combined Pewter Vase and Candle Holder by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Combined Pewter Vase and Candle Holder made by Just Andersen in 1935. An exquisite piece. * Two-armed Pewter Candlestick Holder with inside Vase. * Designer: Just Andersen * Manufac...
Pewter
1930s Pewter Candle Holders by Just Andersen, Denmark- A Pair
By Just Andersen
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful clover shaped pair of candlestick holders by Just Andersen. These are from Denmark circa 1930s. Great form and nice size.
Pewter
Art Deco Bronze Floor Candle Holder, Patinated, 1930s Amsterdam School
Located in London, GB
Monumental candlestick dating from the 1930s, designed to hold large pillar candles and suitable for use as a floor-standing candle holder. The piece stands on a curvaceous foot and ...
Bronze
$2,092
H 6.3 in W 9.45 in D 3.15 in
Pair of Light Bronze Candle Holders by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
A remarkable pair of bronze candlestick holders designed by the renowned artist Just Andersen in the 1930s. These exquisite candlestick holders, model LB 1941, are a testament to And...
Bronze
Karl Hagenauer, Candelabras, Brass, Austria, 1940s
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass candelabras designed by Karl Hagenauer and produced by Werkstätte Hagenauer, Vienna, Austria, c. 1940s. dimensions: 6.375” H x 11.5” diameter Holds 1” diameter can...
Brass