#Austrias #Collectibles #Josef #Hoffmann #Reidel #Wine #Glasses #WorthPoint
With popular destinations like Italy, Spain, and France often crowded with tourists and expatriates, it’s worthwhile to explore some of the lesser-known European countries, such as Austria. There, you can find hidden antiques and collectibles in charming small towns and larger cities throughout the country. Read on to learn all about W.O.W. (WorthPoint in the Old World): Austria’s Best Collectibles.
Introduction to Austria’s Collectibles
Austria is one of the European countries that flies under the radar compared to its loud neighbors such as Germany and Italy. In fact, some European travelers simply travel through Austria by train without disembarking as they aim for a neighboring spot. However, Austria is worth a stop if only to experience a less-traveled (and less-crowded) destination, which can sometimes be ideal for hunting down antiques and collectibles.
Austria boasts a vibrant artistic heritage, being the birthplace of artists like Gustav Klimt. It also has a rich musical tradition featuring composers such as Mozart, Schubert, and Haydn. Furthermore, Austria is home to famous creators and artisans, from the Wiener Werkstätte to Swarovski.
Wiener Werkstätte
Before Bauhaus hit the scene, the Wiener Werkstätte laid the groundwork for early 20th-century modern design. The Wiener Werkstätte was established in Vienna in 1903 as a movement to gather designers, architects, artists, and craftspeople to work on “the artistic production of utilitarian items in a wide range of media, including metalwork, leatherwork, bookbinding, woodworking, ceramics, postcards, graphic art, and jewelry.” The group advocated the concept of “Gesamtkunstwerk” (total artwork), where every detail was designed in a coordinated way to fit in one environment.
Painter Koloman Moser and architect Josef Hoffmann managed the Wiener Werkstatte for decades from its inception until the stock market crash of 1929. It closed entirely in 1932.
Today, some of Hoffmann’s creations from this time sell for tens of thousands at auction, especially the silver work, which has the added value of the material. However, some souvenirs from this period, such as ceramic figures, glass, and jewelry, can be snatched up reasonably priced.
Just watch for the ubiquitous double-W Wiener Werkstätte mark as you peruse antique stores and charity shops in Austria—you never know what you might stumble upon.
Rock Me Amadeus
Austria, the birthplace of many famous composers like Beethoven and Schubert, is heavily influenced by classical music. Even today, musicians worldwide make pilgrimages to Austria to visit important classical music sites.
If you are a musician yourself, one of the most intuitive items to pick up on a trip to Austria is something related to your craft, whether it be sheet music or something pertaining to your instrument. Shops like Blue Danube Violins are a must-visit for any string player if only to peruse their racks of both contemporary instruments as well as antique examples dating back to the early 19th century.
Remember to rewatch the old movie Amadeus before heading on a trip to Austria as well, just to refresh your familiarity not only with the composer but also with the culture and lifestyle of the Classical Period, just before the Romantic Era.
Royal Vienna’s “Beehive Mark”
Like many European countries, Austria has been home to countless ceramic companies over the centuries. One of the most recognized Austrian ceramic houses is Royal Vienna, which has produced extraordinarily detailed works, often with gilding, since the 18th century. Their designs appeal to a particular taste, but you are in luck if you are partial to monumental decorative gold vases. The finest and largest examples can sell for upwards of 20K, but it is easy enough to find smaller items, such as cups and plates, for a fraction of the cost.
Royal Vienna’s marks changed over the years, but they were generally variations of a striped shield shape that collectors commonly refer to as the “beehive mark.” The mark is usually applied in blue paint and accompanied by a date mark on the bottom of Royal Vienna wares.
Riedel Wine Glasses
Some of Austria’s most famous glassmakers, such as Riedel, are still in operation today. Riedel was started in 1816 by Josef Riedel as a maker of smaller glass items such as beads and chandelier parts, winning the “Grand Prix” at the 1873 Vienna World Fair for the company’s designs.
Today, Riedel Crystal is based in Kufstein, Austria, and is most well known for their luxury wine glasses and stemware. While available in the United States, it is much more exciting to purchase Reidel glass from the source and even partake in a factory tour at the Riedel Factory & Museum in Kufstein.
Sparkling Swarovski
Another Austrian glassmaker familiar to fans of anything sparkly is Swarovski. Swarovski is a bit younger than Riedel, established in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski. It remains a family business with three major divisions (no, they don’t just make crystals!). The company produces optical instruments under Swarovski Optik, grinding tools under Tyrol, and finally, all those crystals under the Swarovski Crystal Business.
Like Riedel, you can certainly find Swarovski crystal goodies all over the world, but it is much more fun to go right to the source. In fact, I think Swarovski has Riedel beat in terms of a brand experience for tourists at their Swarovski Kristallwelten (Swarovski Crystal Worlds) in Wattens, Austria. Here, you can wonder at a “Crystal Cloud” made from 800,000 hand-mounted crystals and a carousel embellished with 15 million Swarovski crystals. You can also visit one of the largest Swarovski stores in the world here- a perfect spot to pick up a Swarovski collectible to bring a bit of Austrian sparkle back home!
Amy Moyer is the proprietor of Antmuffin: Art, Antiques & Collectibles. She holds a B.A. in Visual Art from Brown University and lives in Boston.
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