Art Nouveau Desk attributed to Karl Bräuer, 1910s

Object: Men's desk (freestanding)
Design: Karl Bräuer (school of Prof. Josef Hoffmann, Vienna, circa 1910)
Model number: -
Execution: Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshop) (Vienna, circa 1910)
Dimensions in cm (H x W x D x BFH x BFB): 80.5 x 145 x 80 x 67 x 59

Material: Softwood frame, oak and mahogany veneer, alpaca silver
Condition: Professionally restored
Provenance: Budapest (private collection)
Literature: Das Interieur, Wiener Monatshefte für angewandte Kunst, 12th year, Vienna 1911, Plate 9 / Deutsche Kunst und Dekoration, Volume 25, 1909-1910, Alexander Koch, Darmstadt, p. 402 / Photograph, Dining room, Villa, Prof. Pickler, Budapest II, Trombitas ut 19, Anonymous, MAK Inv. no. WWF 104-234-1 /The Interior, Vienna Monthly Journal for Applied Arts, 12th Year, Vienna 1911, Plate 25

Additional Information:

The desk shown is an outstanding example of the formal clarity and decorative precision of the Hoffmann School around 1910. Its construction follows a strictly geometric design, complemented by organic and geometric carvings, presumably by Franz Zelezny. The artistic execution, with its fine alpaca silver fittings, emphasizes the craftsmanship of this exceptional piece of furniture.

The gentleman's desk is designed as a freestanding piece, thus presenting a distinguished appearance from all sides. The back features a hinged door for the integrated letter tray, decoratively adorned with floral seahorse motifs, underscoring the high design quality down to the smallest detail.


The desk is a so-called freestanding unit, and therefore presents a distinguished appearance from all sides. The back features a hinged door for the integrated letter tray, which is decorated with floral seahorse motifs, highlighting the high design quality down to the smallest detail.



The desk is a 12-inch desk, and the back features a hinged door for the integrated letter tray, which is decorated with floral seahorses, further emphasizing the high design quality down to the smallest detail. The design can be attributed to the architect Karl Bräuer, who studied at the Vienna School of Applied Arts from 1897 to 1904 and was admitted to Hoffmann's architecture class in 1900. from 1905, Bräuer worked in Hoffmann's studio at the Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshop) and in 1913 became an assistant at the school. In this capacity, he was one of Hoffmann's most important collaborators and confidants and contributed to numerous designs.

Comparable decorative elements bearing the monogram "KB" (Karl Bräuer) appeared in 1911 in the trade journal Das Interieur (Vol. 12, Plate 9). The drawing shown there exhibits clear parallels to the design of our object, particularly with regard to the characteristic triangular ornament that adorns the edge of the sketch as a decorative border.

The accompanying small table in a whitewashed finish is also available and can be linked to designs by Bräuer & Hoffmann.

The exceptional quality of the piece suggests it was made by the Wiener Werkstätte.

Viewing possible: Hintzerstraße 6, 1030 Vienna