Art & Statues
Hagenauer Art Deco Carved Wood Sculpture of an African Woman
Hagenauer Art Deco Carved Wood Sculpture of an African Woman
This striking sculpture of an African woman was designed and produced by Werkstätten Hagenauer in Vienna during the 1930s. Finely carved from dark wood, the elongated head and neck are complemented by a bronze base and brass details, including large hoop earrings and a series of rings encircling the neck.
The stylized features, smooth sculptural planes, textured hair, and bold profile give the figure a powerful presence from every angle. The contrasting metals add warmth and definition while reflecting the Hagenauer workshop’s exceptional ability to combine different materials within a single composition.
The base is stamped WHW, for Werkstätten Hagenauer Wien, along with Made in Austria, Handmade, and Hagenauer Wien. This very rare example is believed to be from the first edition.
African subjects appeared throughout European decorative arts during the early 20th century, reflecting both the period’s fascination with cultures beyond Europe and the colonial attitudes of the era. This remarkable sculpture demonstrates the Hagenauer workshop’s extraordinary range, originality, and mastery of modern design.
Hagenauer was an important and popular name in the decorative arts in Vienna in the decades bracketing the Second World War. While primarily a maker of sculptural decorative pieces, Hagenauer also created a wide array of household objects, from barware to office accessories, all designed with wit and a sleek modernist aesthetic.
The Hagenauer Werkstatte (studio)in Vienna was a business that included the father and his two sons produced a wide array of small-scale sculptures and decorative items during its 90-year history. Franz, the younger brother, who took over the family business when their father died, was a noted sculptor, with a style that could be described as Art-Deco-meets-Brancusi.) He was very influenced by African arts, and the piece we offer here is emblematic of that motif. His career was a long one, and he was able to continue the Werkstatte into the 1980s. It did close in 1987 but continues today as a museum.
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