Not currently on display at the V&A

Shelves

ca. 1904 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

These shelves were in the director's office of the Postsparkasse (Post Office Savings Bank) in Vienna. This building was built to Wagner's design between 1904 and 1906. Although modern in spirit, the skeletal form of the shelves may echo consciously the example of surviving Biedermeierétagères made in the early 19th century. Indeed, many designs for similar piece of furniture are among the papers of the Danhauser manufactory, active between 1804 and 1838, the largest furniture factory in Vienna in the early 19th century.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Bent beech, stained olive brown, with aluminium fittings
Brief description
Austrian 1905-10 des. O.Wagner man. Kohn
Physical description
Shelves of bent beechwood stained olive brown, the two side panels open and curved at the top, each fitted with four open bentwood rectangles serving as shelf supports, held by bolts. The four shelves which sit on these supports are each strengthened with two additional rails underneath of square section. Round aluminium bolt fittings fix the frame and shelves together.
Dimensions
  • Height: 137.5cm
  • Width: 126cm
  • Depth: 35.5cm
Style
Object history
These shelves were in the director's room of the Post Office Savings Bank in Vienna. The furnishings for these offices were begun in 1904 to Wagner's design and completed in 1906. Although the modernity of these shelves is undeniable, it is possible that the skeletal form and use of curved members may consciously echo the example of surviving Biedermeier étagères.
Historical context
Many designs for étagères are among the designs of the Danhauser furniture manufactury in the Österreichisches Museum für angewandte Kunst, Vienna. The Danhauser manufactury was in production between 1804 and 1838.
Summary
These shelves were in the director's office of the Postsparkasse (Post Office Savings Bank) in Vienna. This building was built to Wagner's design between 1904 and 1906. Although modern in spirit, the skeletal form of the shelves may echo consciously the example of surviving Biedermeierétagères made in the early 19th century. Indeed, many designs for similar piece of furniture are among the papers of the Danhauser manufactory, active between 1804 and 1838, the largest furniture factory in Vienna in the early 19th century.
Bibliographic references
  • Jervis, Simon: Furniture Of About 1900 From Austria & Hungary In The Victoria & Albert Museum, London: Victoria & Albert Museum, 1986, no.29 p. 70/71
  • Lux, Joseph August: Otto Wagner, Munich, 1914, p.72f., illus.
  • Moderne Vergangenheit, Wien 1800-1900, Künstlerhaus, Vienna, 1981, p. 151 and 221, illus. étagére of about 1825 and Danhauser designs.
Collection
Accession number
W.18-1982

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Record createdOctober 6, 2003
Record URL
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