Candelabrum Karl Hagenauer ca. 1928

Karl Hagenauer, a pupil of Josef Hoffmann and a member of the Wiener Werkstätte, emerged as one of the foremost designers of Viennese modernism. Hoffmann, recognizing Hagenauer’s exceptional talent, continued to commission him for Wiener Werkstätte projects well into the late 1920s. By the 1930s, however, Hagenauer shifted his focus entirely to developing the Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien.
The Hagenauer’s creations from the 1920s are marked by a unique stylistic duality. On the one hand, the designs reflect the geometric rigor characteristic of Josef Hoffmann’s aesthetic. On the other, they embody the whimsical and playful spirit of Dagobert Peche. This synthesis is beautifully exemplified in our two-light candlestick, where highly stylized animal figures—such as dogs, cats, and monkeys—are creatively integrated with basic geometric shapes.
Crafted from brass, a material prized at the time for ist durability and warm, lustrous sheen, the candlestick is polished to a high gloss, lending it an air of refined elegance. This harmonious yet playful blend of form, function, and material highlights the sophistication and charm that define Hagenauer’s work.