Art Institute of Chicago

Cruet Stand

Designed by Koloman Moser (Austrian, 1868-1918)

Date

1904/05

Medium

Silver and glass

Culture

Vienna

Department

Applied Arts of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The rigidly geometric form of this cruet stand is characteristic of the Wiener Werkstätte’s early production. The stand is one of a number of objects—including baskets, trays, vases, and even furniture—made from sheets of metal perforated with latticework patterns. Abandoning any reference to historical design, Werkstätte artists created simple but elegant forms they hoped would be consumed on a broad scale, bringing “good design” to the masses. Ultimately, though, Vienna’s intellectual elite, rather than the general public, embraced the Werkstätte’s avant-garde works. This cruet stand belonged to Fritz Waerndorfer, the Wiener Werkstätte’s patron and financier.

The authoritative record is held by Art Institute of Chicago. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.