Flower Table, Mod. No. M 436, c. 1905

The world of geometry was the greatest source of inspiration for Josef Hoffmann (1870–1956) and Koloman Moser (1868–1918), co-founders of the Wiener Werkstätte, in its early years. Hoffmann’s predilection for square shapes even earned him the nickname “Quadratl-Hoffmann” (Squary Hoffmann) among friends. In many cases, however, the designs of the two are so similar that they cannot be unequivocally attributed to either one without a signed design drawing. The design of this lattice basket goes back to Hoffmann and the year 1905. It is one of a large group of objects made of galvanized sheet iron. On a roughly lozenge-shaped footprint, the walls of the handy basket are made up of a grid of squares. The handle is shaped in the form of an arch. The squares are mechanically punched out of the metal sheet. After the soldering of the individual parts, the grid basket was finally lacquered white. The tableware object was probably used for sweets or bread.

Text Leopold Museum