Art Deco Basket in Aluminum with Perforations attributed to Josef Franz Maria Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte, Austria, 1920s

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Description of the item:
A wonderful aluminum basket made with a latticework pattern and a large central handle, also entirely … Read more Description of the item:
A wonderful aluminum basket made with a latticework pattern and a large central handle, also entirely perforated, dating back to the early decades of the 20th century. The evident patina covering the object is perfectly in line with our dating. The object is unsigned, but we can attribute its authorship to Josef Franz Maria Hoffmann, an important Austrian artist who was one of the leading figures of the Vienna Secession and founder of the Wiener Werkstatte manufactory. Hoffmann was the inventor of this type of openwork checkerboard basket, which he made in various shapes and materials, including aluminum, enameled sheet metal, silver, and silver-plated brass. Aluminum baskets are quite rare because it was a material that was not widely used in the early decades of the 1900s. The basket is made in full Art Deco style.

Useful information for evaluating the item:
Our web research shows that the highest four auction results achieved by Josef Hoffmann in the furniture category range from €112,000 to over €122,000, while in the objects category, they range from €160,000 to €267,000, giving an idea of the importance of this artist. Very similar objects to ours, also by Josef Hoffmann, who created many objects with this lattice shape, from baskets to glasses to saucers, etc., He was probably the main creator of these objects, all of which are listed or sold at auction at very high prices, ranging from €1,500 for the smallest and simplest to over €54,000 depending on their size but above all on the material used. Obviously, those made of solid silver are the most valuable.

Information about the artist and/or manufacturer:
Josef Franz Maria Hoffmann (Brtnice, 1870 – Vienna, 1956) was one of Austria's leading architects, active between the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. Hoffmann is considered one of the greatest ceramists and artists of the Viennese Secession. He founded the Wiener Werkstatte together with Koloman Moser and absorbed Michael Powolny's Wiener Keramik, with whom he collaborated for many decades. In 1987, the Museum für angewandte Kunst (MAK) in Vienna organized an exhibition in his honor. The museum still has a permanent exhibition of his works and also organizes special exhibitions on the architect and his contemporaries.


This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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