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.
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
Patinated Solid Brass Karl Hagenauer Candle Holder, Werkstatte Hagenauer Wien
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Doraville, GA
A patinated brass handled candle holder by Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien. The candle holder dates from the 1950’s. The candle holder is 3 3/4 inches tall, 2 1/2 inche...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Patinated Brass Candle Holders
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Utrecht, NL
Pair of patinated candle holders designed by Carl Aubock in 1948. This signature piece from the Auböck collection is hand made manufactured in Vienna Austria workshop ever since 1948...
Brass
$2,885Sale 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
$20,943 / 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
$636Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.25 in W 11.5 in D 6.5 in
Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Oblong Hammered footed Brass Bowl, Karl Hagenauer
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Oblong Hammered footed Brass Bowl, Karl Hagenauer Austria, Circa 1950s A fine example designed by Karl Hagenauer for the...
Brass
$1,200
H 4.75 in W 2.5 in D 3.5 in
Mahogany Bird Sculpture by Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare inlaid mahogany, with bronze legs bird sculpture by Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien. 1950s Stamped with Werkstätte Hagenauer 'wHw' roundel, 'HAGENAUER, WIEN, MADE ...
Bronze
Brutalist Candle Holder in Patinated Sand Cast Brass 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Brutalist Candle Holder in Patinated Sand Cast Brass, Europe, 1960s. A very distinct brutalist style candle holder in heavy sand cast brass with a lovely patina. Quintessentially mi...
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
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
$1,400 / set
H 2.25 in W 1 in D 1 in
Set of Karl Hagenauer Bronze Miniature Animal Sculptures Werkstatte Wien Austria
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Troy, MI
A grouping of 4 bronze miniatures originally designed by Karl Hagenauer circa 1940s for Werkstatte Hagenauer Wien Austria Stylized animal figures in solid bronze and stamped to unde...
Bronze
Tiffany Style Solid Brass Modern Candle Holders Set Of 4
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
1970's mid-century modern solid brass candle holders set of 4 in the style of Tiffany, in vintage original condition with some wear and patina...
Brass
Solid Brass Vintage Moroccan Candle Holder a Pair 1950's
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Solid brass large vintage Moroccan candle holders set of two. Moroccan vintage brass candlestick heavy solid cast brass, handcrafted with etched geometric design. Tall Moorish styl...
Brass
Brass Poinsettia Candle Holders, a Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of brass poinsettia candlestick holders. Perfect for setting a holiday table. Dimensions: 5" Diameter 2" Tall.
Brass
20th century English Bronze and Chromed Metal Candleholder, 1930s
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very beautiful art deco candlestick in good condition in chrome metal which is part of a collection of models intended for the General Electric Company (GEC) of England representing ...
Metal, Bronze