Wiener Werkstätte wallet, 1910/28

This wallet was produced by the Wiener Werkstätte after a design by architect and designer Josef Hoffmann (1870–1956) between 1910 and 1928. It was the express wish of the founders of this institution that its range of products should encompass as many areas of life as possible. This is the idea of the Gesamtkunstwerk. Consequently, the Wiener Werkstätte premises in Neustiftgasse 32–34 also accommodated a leather workshop. This rectangular object is made of light brown leather and features a geometric decorative pattern in precious gold embossing. Together with the fine leather, these gold ornaments provide the object with its thoroughly elegant and exquisite character, as the Wiener Werkstätte designers devoted to even the smallest object the same attention as to larger ones.

MR, 2021