Martin Dülfer, executed by Hofmöbelfabrik J.A. Eysser, Bayreuth

Verona, La Modernitá, 1996

Kassel, Wege in die Moderne. Der Jugendstil in München 1896-1914., 1996/1997.

Dieter Klein, Martin Dülfer, Wegbereiter der deutschen Jugendstilarchitektur, Munich 1981, ill. 4, text p. 12;

Kunstgewerbeblatt, issue 4, Leipzig, 1905, p. 70.

Following his architectural studies in Hanover, Stuttgart and Munich, Martin Dülfer (1859 – 1942) set up his own firm in Munich in 1887 at only 28 years of age. His initial work focused on the design of façades, but soon he established a name as an architect of large private houses and theatres. His style was still very much influenced by the neo-baroque movement popular in southern Germany, but soon he turned towards the emerging Jugendstil and managed to combine the two styles within his work. In 1891 he went to London and worked with Emanuel von Seidl (1856–1919) on the decorations for a German exhibition. As a result he adopted an English influence, which mixed with his own style.

Dülfer went to Merano in Italy in 1899 in order to build a theatre. The people of the town wanted it to be ‘modern and extravagant, just like us’ and were disappointed when the little known architect was nominated. Their mood changed however when Dülfer finished the work within a year and the Maraneans recognised the work of a first class architect. The success of this project contributed to Dülfer being one of the most sought after architects of his time.

At the St. Louis exhibition in 1904 Dülfer was commissioned to design the exhibition space in the style of the Bavarian Arts and Crafts movement. The present cabinet was one of four made for the exhibition, one of which has since been lost. Other fittings from St. Louis still furnish the District Administration halls of the Upper Franconian government.

The pair to this lot is located in the Museum Schloß Wilhelmshöhe in Kassel.