Karl Hagenauer was an important and popular figure in the decorative arts in Vienna in the decades bracketing the Second World War. While primarily a maker of sculptural decorative pieces, Hagenauer — in the same spirit as his peer Carl Auböck— created a wide array of household objects, from barware to office accessories, all designed with wit and a sleek modernist aesthetic.
Hagenauer’s father was a trained metalsmith who founded a bronzewares manufactory that produced decorative metalwork and housewares in both traditional and the then-novel Art Nouveau styles and cast small sculptures based on Old Masters paintings. After studying art and design at Vienna’s School of Applied Arts, where his teachers included architect Josef Hoffmann, a founder of the Wiener Werkstätte, he joined his father’s workshop in 1919 and began crafting items that reflected Hoffman’s modernist aesthetic. In the 1920s and ’30s, he developed an often-imitated style that combines the lithe, lissome lines of Art Nouveau (known in central Europe as Jugendstil) with the simple, unadorned forms of Art Deco. He worked primarily in brass — both polished and nickel-plated — as well as wood.
In addition to domestic items such as smoking accoutrements, teapots, trays, bowls, candleholders and tableware, Hagenauer produced a wide array of small-scale sculptures. (His younger brother, Franz— who took over the family business when their father died — was also a noted sculptor, with a style that could be described as Art-Deco-meets-Brancusi.) Karl’s sculptures fall into two main groups: humorous and whimsical animal and character figures that will remind many of the work of artist Tom Otterness and sleek, stylized animal and human forms, many with an African theme — an “exotic” connotation that was a 20th-century remnant of colonialism. As you will see from the items on offer, Karl Hagenauer was an artist-designer of great talent and many moods: affable, stylish and practical.
Karl Hagenauer (wHw) 1930s Wiener Werkstätte Bronze Sailor Figure w/ Accordion
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in St. Louis, MO
Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wienstamp - stamped WHW, Hagenauer Wein made in Austria, circa 1930s bronze miniature sculpture of a sailor playing an accordion.
Bronze
Karl Hagenauer (wHw) 1940s Wiener Werkstätte Bronze Miniature Figure of a Goat
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in St. Louis, MO
Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wienstamp - stamped WHW made in Austria, circa 1940s bronze miniature sculpture of a goat, from his animal / zoo series.
Bronze
Dancing klown by Karl Hagenauaer
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Dancing klown by Karl Hagenauaer. A wrought copper collar connects the bronze head with the metal body.
Metal, Bronze, Copper
Hagenauer Bronze Werkstatte Hagenauer Bronze Warrior Art Deco Sculpture
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
This bronze figure depicts a stylized warrior, a signature piece of the Viennese Art Deco style, attributed to Karl Hagenauer and produced during an early and rare period of his work...
Bronze
African Native Warrior Bronze Sculptures, Werkstatte Hagenauer, Austria, 1950s
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A beautiful group of three (3) Mid-Century, black-patinated bronze and brass sculptures, showing stylized African native warriors with shields and spears . Designed and executed by K...
Bronze
Figurine "Dancing Woman" by Karl Hagenauer
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass figurine showing an African dancing woman. Manufactured by Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien in the 1950s.
Ceramic
Untitled 'Christ' Sculpture by Karl Hagenauer, 1950, Rosewood and Bronze
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare Untitled (Jesus Christ) table top sculpture by Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer, Austria, c. 1950 Brazilian rosewood body and bronze head and hands. One hand turns in pl...
Bronze
Art Deco Relief Wall Mirror, Cast Brass, by Karl Hagenauer Vienna, 1930s
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Vienna, AT
Ornate openwork frame featuring stylised animals and floral elements in a whimsical geometric arrangement, crafted from cast brass. Manufactory: WERKSTAETTE HAGENAUER WIEN / WORKS...
Brass
Karl Hagenauer Native American on Horseback Bronze Figure
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful bronze figurine by Karl Hagenauer of Hagenauer Werkstatte Austria of a Native American on Horseback. The figure is stamped on the base. Nice detail and craftsmanship as i...
Bronze
Karl Hagenauer (wHw) 1920s Wiener Werkstätte Bronze Miniature Figure Skater
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in St. Louis, MO
Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wienstamp - stamped WHW made in Austria, circa 1920s bronze miniature female figure ice skater sculpture. Mounted on marble block with museum putty, removable. Mounted by previous owner. Marble base is 3" x 3" x 2.5"h From the estate of Joan Conway Crancer, daughter of the famous St. Louis painter Fred Conway, and was a passionate art collector, included in her collection were Calder Sculptures, Max Beckman...
Marble, Bronze
African Bust Figure Hagenauer
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Hagenauer African Bust This bust represents a stylized African female figure, crafted from wood with a polished finish that highlights the natural grain of the material in dark brown...
Bronze
$3,343
Karl Hagenauer sculpture
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Sculpture par Karl Hagenauer représentant une femme assise.
Wood
Art Deco Dancer Werkstatte Hagenauer Vienna Brass Polished Wood, Designed 1930s
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco Dancer Werkstatte Hagenauer Vienna Brass Polished Wood, Designed 1930s In the beginning the Werkstatte Hagenauer produced everyday life items li...
Bronze
Sculpture in Brass by Karl Hagenauer, 1950's
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sculpture in Brass by Karl Hagenauer, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien in Austria Dimensions (W ...
Brass
Karl Hagenauer Austrian 1930s Art Deco Brass and Ebonized Wood Singing Sailor
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Mexico City, MX
A 1930's Austrian ebonized wood and brass singing sailor. The sailor has wood body and brass head, hands and feet. Sealed on the bottom.
Brass
$850
H 1.75 in W 1.75 in D 1 in
WHW Hagenauer Art Deco Bronze Felix The Cat Austria Miniature Figurine
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A stylish and stylized miniature of Felix the cat by Werkstatte Haugenauer Wien, made in Austria. Very charming and beautifully made of bronze, signed on...
Bronze
$2,879Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.02 in W 10.01 in D 4.49 in
Austrian Midcentury Brass and Black Metal, Locomotive by Hagenauer Vienna
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare model of a locomotive, handmade of metal and brass by Werkstatte Hagenauer Vienna in the 1920s. Marked on its bottom WHW, Hagenauer Wien, made in Austria, handmade. Very nice ...
Brass, Metal
$636Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.25 in W 11.5 in D 6.5 in
Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Oblong Hammered footed Brass Bowl, Karl Hagenauer
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Oblong Hammered footed Brass Bowl, Karl Hagenauer Austria, Circa 1950s A fine example designed by Karl Hagenauer for the...
Brass
$1,200
H 4.75 in W 2.5 in D 3.5 in
Mahogany Bird Sculpture by Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare inlaid mahogany, with bronze legs bird sculpture by Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien. 1950s Stamped with Werkstätte Hagenauer 'wHw' roundel, 'HAGENAUER, WIEN, MADE ...
Bronze
$1,400 / set
H 2.25 in W 1 in D 1 in
Set of Karl Hagenauer Bronze Miniature Animal Sculptures Werkstatte Wien Austria
By Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Troy, MI
A grouping of 4 bronze miniatures originally designed by Karl Hagenauer circa 1940s for Werkstatte Hagenauer Wien Austria Stylized animal figures in solid bronze and stamped to unde...
Bronze
Hagenauer Sculpture "Woman Walking Panther, " Vienna
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Vintage Art Deco sculpture by Hagenauer, Vienna. Made approximately 1930, brass body with nickel coating. The black panther was restored (pa...
Brass
$2,229
H 64.18 in Dm 14.18 in
Large bronze statue of a stylized African Ndebele Ndebele woman, atr. Hagenauer
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
A fantastic life-size bronze sculpture from the early 1950s. The design is attributed to Karl Hagenauer. Approx. 30 kg. This life-size sculpture of an exotic African Ndebele woman, ...
Bronze
$1,700
H 5 in W 4 in D 0.75 in
20th Century Art Déco Brass Seated Greyhound Dog by Karl Hagenauer, Austria
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 20th Century Art Déco polished brass seated greyhound dog figurine by Karl Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien (WHW), Austria By: Karl Hagenauer, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien...
Metal, Brass, Copper, Zinc
$417Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.49 in W 5.12 in D 1.97 in
Vintage Bronze Decorative Figure of a Woman attributed to Karl Hagenauer
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
1940s. This item is made in bronze and might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considered as in excellent original condition and ready to become a piece in ...
Bronze
Karl Tutter Lorenz for Hutschenreuther May Dance Scilpture
By Lorenz Hutschenreuther
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful white porcelain grouping. Signed on bottom of base.
Porcelain
$1,600
H 8.67 in W 3.94 in D 2.76 in
Karl Hagenauer Austrian 1930s Art Deco Brass and Ebonized Wood Singing Sailor
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Mexico City, MX
A 1930's Austrian ebonized wood and brass singing sailor. The sailor has wood body and brass head, hands and feet. Sealed on the bottom.
Brass
Hagenauer Bronze Dancer Sculpture
By Franz Hagenauer
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Stunning figural bronze sculpture by Franz Hagenauer. Signed.
Bronze
Sold
H 9.5 in W 1.5 in D 8 in
Jugendstil Nickel-Brass Tennis Player Figurine by Karl Hagenauer, Austria
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer, Franz Hagenauer
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 20th century Jugendstil nickel-brass tennis player figurine by Karl and Franz Hagenauer for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien (WHW), Austria By: Karl Hagenauer, Franz Hagenauer, Werks...
Metal, Brass, Copper, Nickel, Zinc
Figurine Seating Baby by Karl Hagenauer
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass figurine showing an African baby. Manufactured by Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien in the 1950s.
Ceramic
Karl Hagenauer bronze sculpture woman on horse
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Karl Hagenauer bronze sculpture woman on horse Sculpture of woman on horseback in art deco style movement Circa 1930 Origin Vienna Austria This sculpture is in excellent condition. w...
Bronze
Dancing girl Ria by Karl Hagenauer - Werkstätte Hagenauer
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Dancing girl Ria by Karl Hagenauer - Werkstätte Hagenauer.
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 3.5 in W 1.5 in D 1.25 in
Hagenauer, Tennis Players, A Pair of Art Deco Miniature Sculptures, ca. 1920's
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in New York, NY
Austrian Art Deco Karl Hagenauer Tennis Players A Pair of Miniature Sculptures Vienna, ca. 1920s DIMENSIONS MALE TENNIS PLAYER FEMALE TENNIS PLAY...
Metal
Sold
H 11.42 in W 7.88 in D 4.73 in
Art Deco Josephine Baker Female Dancer Brass Statue, Austria 1930 Karl Hagenauer
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Exceptional Karl Hagenauer statue of a female dancer sculpture, commonly titled as Josephine Baker, cast and nickel plated brass, circa 1930s. , manufactured by Werkstätte Hagenauer ...
Brass
Karl Hagenauer “Diana with Dogs” Bronze Art Deco Sculpture
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in San Francisco, CA
A remarkable Art Deco polished bronze sculpture titled “Diana with Dogs” by Karl Hagenauer (b. 1898–1956) for Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien. A strong, lithe Roman goddess of the hunt st...
Bronze
Sold
H 12.01 in W 10.44 in D 4.14 in
Superb Wooden Sculpture of an African Lady by Karl Hagenauer, Art Deco, Austria
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Paris, FR
Very rare wooden sculpture (cherry tree wood) of an African lady by Karl Hagenauer (1898-1956). it is carved as a profile, made out of a single piece of wood on a flat oval brass bas...
Brass
Sold
H 11.42 in W 7.88 in D 4.73 in
Art Deco Josephine Baker Female Dancer Brass Statue, Austria 1930 Karl Hagenauer
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Exceptional Karl Hagenauer statue of a female dancer sculpture, commonly titled as Josephine Baker, cast and nickel plated brass, circa 1930s. ...
Brass
Art Deco Austrian pair of Bronze sculptures figurative, abstractat
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Valladolid, ES
Gorgeous pair of bronze sculptures by the Austrian master of Art Deco, Karl Hagenauer. Karl Hagenauer (1898-1956) was an influential Austrian designer belonging to the Art Deco school...
Bronze
Sold
H 11.42 in W 7.88 in D 4.73 in
Art Deco Josephine Baker Female Dancer Brass Statue, Austria 1930 Karl Hagenauer
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Karl Hagenauer
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Exceptional Karl Hagenauer statue of a female dancer sculpture, commonly titled as Josephine Baker, cast and nickel plated brass, circa 1930s. , manuf...
Brass
Art Deco Large Bronze Naked Dancer, Hagenauer, ca 1930s
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco large hagenauer dancer ca 1930s. After being taken over by Karl Hagenauer, the workshop began to produce their famous figurines /After Karl ...
Brass, Bronze