Terms and conditions of use
Koloman MOSER (designer), Josef HOLI (silversmith), WIENER WERKSTÄTTE, Vienna (commissioning workshop)
Sweet basket
(1903)
Medium
silver, mother-of-pearl, lapis lazuli
Measurements
14.8 × 19.4 × 8.6 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Samuel E. Wills Bequest, 1976
Gallery location
Mid 20th Century Paintings & Decorative Arts Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
This sweet basket was a gift to Hermine Gallia from Theobold Pollak, a close friend of the family, who commissioned it just six months after the Wiener Werkstätte was founded in 1903. It was Hermine’s first Wiener Werkstätte object and incorporates her monogram, set in a square of mother-of-pearl at the top of the handle. The beaten surface of the bowl and Moser’s restrained use of lapis lazuli reflect the influence of the English Arts and Crafts designer C. R. Ashbee. The identical prominence of the hallmarks reflects the Wiener Werkstätte’s ideals of celebrating the maker and artist equally.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Vienna, Austria
Inscription
punched in rear u.c.: KM (monogram) WW (monogram) (Diana's head) / (stylised rose / stylised rose on stem with leaf) (all in a rectangle) / HJ (monogram) (HJ (monogram) in a circle)
soldered in handle u.c.: HG (monogram)
soldered in rear of handle u.c.: HG (monogram)
Accession Number
D194-1976
Department
International Decorative Arts
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Physical description
Boat-shaped, triangular strap handle, 4 ball feet, body punched bround and beaded edge, lapis lazuli beads.