Samovar

"To the age its art, to art its freedom." These words, spoken by Austrian architect and designer Josef Hoffmann, underscore his belief that art need not copy the past but rather reflect present-day styles.  Freed from historical constraints, Hoffmann abstracted his designs into simple geometric forms.  Decorative metalwork provided Hoffmann with a malleable medium to be hammered, polished, punched or enhanced with applied ornamentation.  This samovar, composed of a kettle with a base and burner to heat water for tea, exemplifies Hoffmann's ability to combine multiple, functional parts into a unified form with subtle ornamentation.  Despite the samovar's simplicity and moderately priced materials, its golden surface and dark wood illustrate Hoffmann's rich and elegant aesthetics.