Joseph Maria Olbrich

Leo Nachtlicht, Deutsches Kunstgewerbe St. Louis 1904, Berlin, 1904, p. 43 (for a period photograph of this model exhibited in the dining room of the German section at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair)
Hessisches Landesmuseum, Joseph M. Olbrich, 1867-1908: Das Werk des Architekten, Darmstadt, 1967, p. 250
Bernd Krimmel et al, Joseph M. Olbrich, 1867-1908 : Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt, Darmstadt, 1983, p. 351 (for an example in the collection of the Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt)
Renate Ulmer, Museum Künstlerkolonie Darmstadt, Darmstadt, 1989, p. 204 (for an illustration of this model in the collection of the Museum Künstlerkolonie Darmstadt and for a period illustration of this model amongst other iconic works by Olbrich, ca. 1902)
Judy Rudoe, Decorative Arts 1850-1950, London, 1991, pp. 87 and 236
Torsten Bröhan and Thomas Berg, Avantgarde Design 1880-1930, Köln, 1994, p. 55

Very good overall condition. Nice overall patina of age. Some minor bending to rims of candle cups as expected from use. Minor warping to each foot which is not overtly apparent.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This model was exhibited at both the Künstlerkolonie Darmstadt and the St. Louis Exhibitions of 1904.

This sinuous expression of zoomorphic design was conceived around 1901, but is not documented until 1904, when it appeared at both the Künstlerkolonie Darmstadt Exhibition and the St. Louis World's Fair.