Art Nouveau Desk with Attachment

Details

Description

Object: art nouveau men's desk
design: mauritius/moritz herrgesell zug. (vienna, around 1908)
model number: -
manufacturer: unknown wiener werkstätte (vienna, … Read more Object: art nouveau men's desk
design: mauritius/moritz herrgesell zug. (vienna, around 1908)
model number: -
manufacturer: unknown wiener werkstätte (vienna, around 1908)
dimensions in cm (h x w x d x wfh): 81 x 150 × 77 × 65 × 65
material: softwood, mahogany veneer, ebony & maple marquetry, brass
condition: expertly restored
provenance: vienna area, private collection
literature: deutsche kunst und dekoration, volume 23, 1908-1909, alexander koch, darmstadt, pp. 314-315

additional information:
this freestanding men's desk from around 1908 can be attributed to mauritius (moritz) herrgesell, who studied at the vienna school of arts and crafts under prof. Josef hoffmann from 1901 to 1905, where he was also influenced by koloman moser, hoffmann's close colleague and co-founder of the wiener werkstätte.

the furniture is made of mahogany-veneered softwood with maple and ebony marquetry. This combination of materials corresponds to the high-quality furnishings characteristic of viennese cabinetmaking around 1900.

the design follows a clear, architectural order that references hoffmann's teachings, while the subtle and delicate ornamentation reveals moser's influence. The equally elaborate design of the back is noteworthy, allowing the desk to be placed anywhere in the room and underscoring its role as an element of interior design.

the desk exemplifies the combination of functionality, precision craftsmanship, and design discipline that characterized viennese arts and crafts at the height of art nouveau. In terms of quality and execution, the piece is one of the typical works from the vienna workshop milieu. See less