Art & Statues
Karl Hagenauer Chrome Sailboat Sculpture – Vienna Art Deco, c. 1928
Karl Hagenauer Chrome Sailboat Sculpture – Vienna Art Deco, c. 1928
This striking sailboat sculpture, created by the renowned Austrian workshop of Karl Hagenauer, captures the streamlined elegance and nautical inspiration characteristic of Vienna Art Deco in the late 1920s. Crafted circa 1928, the sculpture reflects the modernist fascination with speed, travel, and machine-age precision—hallmarks of the Hagenauer aesthetic.
Constructed from brass and finished in brilliant chrome, the sailboat’s design is both minimal and dynamic. The sharply stylized form, with exaggerated triangular sails and a sleek hull, conveys a sense of wind-driven motion and forward momentum. Mounted on a subtly curved wave-like base, the piece has a lightness and grace that echo the era’s love of travel and oceanic themes.
Like its companion pieces from the same period—including Hagenauer’s rare “Man on Horseback” sculpture—this sailboat represents a celebration of movement and form. Whether displayed individually or as part of a curated collection, it offers a refined nod to the optimism and inventiveness of pre-war European modernism.
Karl Hagenauer, having taken over his father’s workshop in 1928, infused the firm with a bold new direction, combining the decorative elegance of the Wiener Werkstätte with the progressive lines of modern design. His chrome works from this period remain among the most sought-after by collectors for their sculptural clarity and refined craftsmanship.
This rare sailboat sculpture is a sophisticated and timeless object, perfect for collectors of Art Deco design, maritime decorative arts, or modernist sculpture.
This sailboat is just one example from our extensive inventory of original Hagenauer sculptures, many of which are featured exclusively on our website. From stylized animals and dynamic figures to rare chrome works and large-scale decorative pieces, our curated selection represents one of the most comprehensive collections of Hagenauer art available. Each piece reflects the bold innovation and exceptional craftsmanship that made the Hagenauer Werkstätte a cornerstone of 20th-century Austrian design. Collectors and enthusiasts are invited to explore the full range of works available—each one part of the enduring legacy of Karl and Franz Hagenauer.
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