Wilhelm Wagenfeld

Walter Schleiffele, Wilhelm Wagenfeld und die Moderne Glasindustrie, Stuttgart, 1994, pp. 122, 124 and 125
Torsten Bröhan and Thomas Berg, Avantgarde Design: 1880-1930, Cologne, 1994, p. 111
Charlotte and Peter Fiell, Design of the 20th Century, New York, 1999, p. 719
Beate Manske, Wilhem Wagenfeld (1900-1990), Ostfildern-Ruit, 2000, p. 179
Torsten Bröhan and Martin Eidelberg, Glass of the Avant-Garde, Munich, 2001, p. 175

 

Very good overall condition. Virtually no signs of wear or use. One of the smallest containers has a one inch corner break to the lid with evidence of an old repair, detached pieces retained.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This storage sytem called "Kubus," was designed after Wagenfeld assumed the postion of artistic director of the Vereinigte Lausitzer Glaswerke.  Made of pressed glass, it was affordable and designed for use in new electric refrigerators that were becoming available for domestic kitchens.  These refrigerators, because of their small size, required a practical, compact storage system.  Thus the individual units, of various shapes and sizes to accommodate different kinds of food, stack together to form a self-contained Cubist sculpture.

 

The simpler the industrial product is to be, the more difficult it is to meet the conditions for it.