CARSON, CA.- A superb example of Josef Hoffmann's work from the Wiener Werkstatte artistic craftsmanship will be featured in Midnight Sun Antique Auctions. A silver 8-arm candelabrum 'leuchter' designed by Josef Hoffmann (which was also made in bronze). The 8 arm candlestick especially in silver was very costly to make at that time so is extremely rare. Hoffmann's simplistic designs in hand hammered work is exemplified in this piece which showcases his vision of a streamlined exquisite art form. This candlestick (candelabrum/leuchter) is hallmarked Sterling silver and impressed with the 'WW' and the 'JH' stamp.

At the end of the 19th Century with the rise of the mass production, a minority of European artists became profoundly disturbed by the disregard for quality and craftsmanship of the decorative arts. This lead to a resurgence of hand-crafted items with simple forms and applied decorations which was the beginning of the Arts and Crafts Movement. In England influenced by William Morris around 1870 this movement gained popularity in direct opposition to the Industrial Revolution.

Inspired by Morris, artists and designers Koloman Moser and Josef Hoffmann founded the Wiener Werkstatte (Vienna Workshop) in 1903 in Austria . It was considered a forward thinking Fine Arts Society. Their goal was to elevate everything they created to Fine Art even in everyday utilitarian items and make it available to the general public. Their motto was "Better to work 10 days on one product than to manufacture 10 products in one day." They produced initially silverware, cutlery and even designed homes with furniture with streamline forms. Josef Hoffmann's design of cutlery and silverware were a direct change from historicism to clear lines.

From 1905, the Wiener Werkstatte produced hand painted and printed silks. In 1907, the they took over a ceramics workshop and in the same year Moser, embittered by the financial squabbling, left the Workshop, which entered a new phase, with Hoffman at the helm. Attempts were made expand the Workshop—adding such items as wallpaper and textiles and establishing branches in other countries but this was not particularly successful. After WWI and the Depression in 1929 trying to maintain quality over quantity became too much of a financial burden for Hoffmann and the Workshop and it eventually closed in 1932.

The designs and artistic impact of the Wiener Werkstatte is held with high regard. Many of the WW items are exhibited in museums throughout the world today