Attributed to Koloman Moser

executed by Prag-Rudniker, Vienna
painted pine

Dorotheum, Vienna, 9 May, 2007, lot 22
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Prag-Rudniker Korbwarenfabrikation, sales catalogue, Vienna, n.d., no. 368
Dr Sigrid Barten, ed., Josef Hoffmann Wien: Jugendstil und Zwanziger Jahre, exh. cat., 25 May - August 1983, Salzburg, 1983, p. 56, cat. no. 39, pl. 29
Sigfried Wichmann, Jugendstil Floral Funktional, Herrsching, exh. cat., 23 January - 31 March 1984, Herrsching, 1984, p. 223, cat. no. 466
Gabriele Fahr-Becker, Wiener Werkstätte, Cologne, 1995, p. 109
Werner Adriaenssens et al, Roberto Polo: The Eye, London, 2011, p. 473, illustrated

Overall very good condition consistent with age and gentle use. Scattered paint flecks, crackling of the paint, faint surface scratches, shallow dents and minor wear to the exterior edges of the frame and table top. Two circular areas on the table top have been touched up, the central circle approximately 15 cm in diameter, the outer circle following near the perimeter of the table top. Scattered paint chips which have been touched up to one base stretcher and further minor areas throughout as can be seen under ultra violet light. Minor lateral movement to the frame. A partial paper label to the underside which reads “Josef Hoffmann (zugeschrieben) / Beistelltisch, um 1903-05 / Buchen….
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

From 1902-1904 Prag-Rudniker, a firm mainly known for its wickerwork furniture, formed a brief yet important relationship with Koloman Moser. This was a critical period in which Prag-Rudniker made a marked shift away from traditional American influenced furniture to more avant-garde designs possessing strong linear forms and graphic geometric patterns. Examples of this are evident in Moser's designs for the firm, in particular the chair designed for the Klimt Exhibition in 1903, the model later employed in the Purkersdorf Sanatorium.