Viennese Secession Side Table in Brass and Opal Glass by Josef Hoffmann, 1890s

This elegant Viennese Secession-style side table, dating back to around 1910-1920, hails from the rooms of an important Austrian hotel, a testament to a refined era. The structure is entirely made of solid brass, with a warm antique patina that enhances its preciousness. The sturdy and decorative octagonal base opens up in geometric lines typical of Viennese Jugendstil. from the center rises a slender square column, with beveled edges and harmonious proportions. The top is made of glossy black glass, squared, which reflects light with understated elegance. Above the top is a perforated brass gallery with geometric patterns of repeating circles and ovals. At the center, a dark wooden cube serves as a cigar holder or ashtray. On the sides are two square clear glass vases, removable for easy cleaning. The ensemble evokes the atmosphere of the grand Viennese hotels, where design and functionality blended. A rare piece, it combines the aesthetics of the Wiener Secession with its luxury hotel purpose.