Small Basket with Handle, Octagonal, 1906

The world of geometry provided the greatest source of inspiration to the two founders of the Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann (1870–1956) and Koloman Moser (1868–1918), during the first years after the workshop’s inception. His penchant for squares even earned Hoffmann the sobriquet “Quadratl-Hoffmann” [square Hoffmann] among his friends. In many instances, the designs by the two artists are so similar that they cannot be conclusively assigned to either without the existence of signed design drawings. The design of this lattice vase is based upon a drawing created by Hoffmann around 1906. It is part of a comprehensive series of objects made from zinc-plated sheet iron. On a square base, the incurved walls consist in the center of a lattice made from squares. These squares were mechanically punched into the sheet metal. After the individual parts had been soldered together, the lattice vase was finished with a white varnish. The object served as a small flower vase.
See also: Wire Basket.

Text Leopold Museum