During the late 19th century Europe experienced a revolution in the arts and architecture. The major proponent of this revolution in Austria was Otto Wagner, whose seminal 1895 textbook was translated as Modern Architecture. One of his students was Leopold Bauer, who designed buildings, interiors, and furnishings. This cabinet, designed by Bauer and made by the firm of Portois & Fix, was most likely a private commission intended to hold a postcard collection, and features a decorative marquetry veneer on the front and sides. The marquetry is similar to examples made in England. The cabinet was initially displayed in 1901 at an exhibition of decorative arts coordinated by the Vienna Secession, an organization of artists including Wagner who broke with traditional artistic styles of the day.
Marked (bottom): Schl. No: 7013; (bottom, on paper label): L Nr 2142 R. Nr 3.0/10-1900; (lock plate): Portois & Fix/Wien 7013
Gift of Sydney and Frances Lewis
Vienna Secession (Kunstgewerbeaustellung der Secession) , Vienna, 1901;
Europe: Beginning and End, various Japanese museums, 1993 (see Curatorial File).
Europe: Beginning and End, various Japanese museums, 1993 (see Curatorial File).
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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