Josef Hoffman

Designed by: Josef Hoffmann, 1910

Executed by: Wiener Werkstätte, model no. S 1944, 1910

Marked: JH, rose mark, WIENER WERK STÄTTE (1-line), WW,
Austrian hallmark - head of Diana (A for Vienna, 2 for 900/1000), 2 times A
(hallmark for Vienna), master’s mark AW in circle for Adolf Wernik

Silver, “flower
pattern” decoration, handle replaced in ebony, very good original condition

H 17 cm, W 28 cm, D 26 cm

Designed as
early as 1904 (with a modified pattern from 1905 onwards) the “icon” of fruit
plates created by Kolo Moser as model no. S 270 served as a model for our 1910 fruit
plate designed by Josef Hoffmanm. The names for the plates created by Moser
were Aufsatz (centrepiece), Obstplatte (fruit tray)or Henkelplatte (tray with
handles). According to the Wiener Werkstätte archives, 5 such fruit plates
designed by Hoffmann were made, presented somewhat awkwardly as "Obst-Bächerei-Aufsatz"
(fruit-pastry-centrepiece) Unfortunately, the original ivory handle was removed,
as the export/import of works of art with ivory elements (no matter how small
they may be) was prohibited by law by the US - EU authorities. That said, I can
only congratulate lawmakers/politicians/pseudo-green activists on their wise
decision to damage cultural property in order to protect animals that had been
killed a long time ago.