Austrian Secession beech magazine rack

Polished black bentwood set on ball feet

Designed by Koloman Moser

Executed by Jacob and Josef Kohn

Remnants of a label to underneath

Model No 1070

Circa 1901

Height: 44cm Width: 48 cm. Depth: 46 cm

A similar magazine rack with a square profile was presented at the Exhibition of Decorative Arts, Turin 1902

Koloman Moser (1868 – 1918)

Moser studied at the Academy of Fine Arts (1886-92) and the at the Vienna School of Applied Arts (1893-95).

He started work as an illustrator for the art journal Meggendorfer Blatter. In 1897 he became a founder member of the Vienna Secession. In 1903, Moser together with Josef Hofmann and Fritz Waerndorfer founded the Wiener Werkstätte. They designed stylised interiors, furniture, jewellery, leather and metal goods as well as toys. Moser left the company in 1907 in order to devote himself to painting and teaching.

When Thonet’s bentwood furniture patent expired in 1869, Jacob & Josef Kohn became their serious rivals, imitating and adapting various successful models. They developed close working relationships with the leading architects and designers. They introduced a new concept of bentwood furniture that allowed for the progressive and innovative designs of the avant-garde to be realised. By 1907 they employed around 6,000 workers, producing around 7,000 pieces of furniture daily. They participated in several Exhibitions between 1900 and 1914.