Hagenauer Stylized Art Deco Greyhound Sculpture

A highly stylized wood sculpture of a Greyhound, elegant and graceful in its simplicity of form. Black painted wood finish and brass plate stand stamped with the Hagenauer logo on the reverse. This is an excellent example of the Hagenauer designs that were employed by the three key members of the family who carried on the tradition of their unique style for nearly 100 years.

The Hagenauer firm was founded by Carl Hagenauer in Austria in 1898. His son Karl became the head of the company in 1928 after having studied with Joseph Hoffman and winning bronze and silver medals at the Paris Exposition of 1925. His work was most prolific, including many “useful objects” such as mirrors, cigar cutters, bookends, and hood ornaments along with sculptures that were purely decorative. He produced humorous and playful figures as well as his highly stylized modernistic sculptures (such as the Greyhound piece we offer here). He managed the Hagenauer Werkstatte until his death in 1956. His younger brother, Franz focused more specifically on sculpture, often drawing upon African Art for inspiration. His long life (1906-1986) providing him with a long career and many of the most elegant and modernistic pieces can be attributed to Franz Hagenauer. Both Karl and Franz created many statues of animal figures as well as female forms.