IMAGE DETAILS

Florian Kolhammer

Joseph Maria Olbrich (Czech Republic 1867-1908 Germany) &
Josef Hoffmann (Czech Republic 1870-1956 Austria)
Secessionist side table, circa 1900
Solid maple, inlaid ebony and white metal
H 70 x W 56 x D 56 cm
Provenance: private collection, Austria
Literature: Josef Maria Olbrich, Ideen von Olbrich, 2. Auflage, Leipzig 1904, S. 67; Fotografie eines Wiener Interieurs nach einem Entwurf von Josef Maria Olbrich, ausgeführt von der Vereinigung Wiener Kunstgewerbetreibender, MAK Inv.nr. KI 7406-9; Vereinigung Bildender Künstler Österreichs (Hrsg.), Ver Sacrum. Mittheilungen der Vereinigung Bildender Künstler Österreichs, 1900, 1. Heft, S. 4, 9 & 15

This elegant Secessionist side table was created around 1900 through the collaboration of two influential artists of Viennese Modernism: Joseph Maria Olbrich and Josef Hoffmann. The design of the table's body by Olbrich was first published in 1899 in 'Ideen von Olbrich'. The characteristic ornament was originally designed by Hoffmann as a decorative frieze for the fifth Secession Exhibition and documented in the magazine 'Ver Sacrum' (1900). It is highly probable that this furniture piece was specially created for this exhibition. Particularly noteworthy are the original design drawing by Olbrich and the ornament by Hoffmann. The exceptional quality and characteristic fittings strongly suggest production by the renowned Viennese art furniture workshop Portois & Fix, famous for numerous designs associated with the Vienna Secession, predominantly by Hoffmann.