Desk & armchair Robert Fix Josef Hoffmann Portois & Fix ca. 1901

In 1906, Portois & Fix celebrated its 25th anniversary with an impressive participation in the ‘Austrian Decorative Arts’ exhibition at the Sloan Square exhibition centre in London. In the exhibition catalogue ‘Imperial Royal Austrian Exhibition Vienna-London’, a ‘Smoking Room’ is presented, which shows, among other things, the desk and the accompanying armchair – art furniture that still inspires today as an expression of the elegant design of that era.

Portois & Fix became known as an excellent furniture manufacturer in Vienna around 1900. It produced designs by Josef Hoffmann and Koloman Moser, among others. Our magnificent desk is characterised by the fruitwood inlays designed by Josef Hoffmann in 1901, its masterful workmanship and elegant overall appearance. The lock on the centre drawer is stamped ‘Portois & Fix Wien’. A small brass plaque with the model number is also attached under the armchair. All the fittings on the desk are in their original condition and it has a patent master lock.

Another particularly charming detail is the letter slide with which the desk was fitted.