As part of the Brazilian Design sale on December 10th, 2020, PIASA Auction House is proud to present to collectors several creations by designer Martin Eisler.
Son of the famous Czech art historian Max Eisler, who made history with his work on landscapes in Rembrandt's work, Martin Eisler was born in Vienna just before the outbreak of the First World War. Guided by a very cultivated family background and open to the world, he managed to join the city's School of Applied Arts. There he studied architecture and design with famous architects such as Oskar Strnad and Clemens Holzmeister.
After the annexation of Austria by the Nazis in 1938, Eisler emigrated to Buenos Aires where he worked as an architect, scenographer and interior designer. Within a few months, he presented his drawings and furniture for the first time at the Mueller Gallery, which became the National Office of Fine Arts in 1940.
Martin Eisler (1913-1977)
Set of six chairs
Estimate : 15000 / 20000 €
In 1945, the inauguration of the studio he created with Arnold Hackel was the first success. Ten years later, Martin Eisler travels to neighboring Brazil and joins forces with Carlo Hauner. This cooperation was to be extremely fruitful. He was entrusted with the artistic direction of the company Forma in São Paulo. This Brazilian experience has a considerable influence on his work. Exotic woods and the techniques of varnishing and lacquering on wood, glass and bronze make their appearance in his aesthetic vocabulary. The success that the two men meet leads him to collaborate with Knoll International for almost ten years.
Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) & Martin Eisler (1913-1977)
Estimate : 7000 / 9000 €
PIASA presents during this session several pieces of furniture from the iconic designer including a series of six chairs dating from the 1960s and estimated between 15 000 and 20 000 €. Composed of pure lines reduced to their simplest expression, these chairs of great elegance perfectly represent the modernist ideal emerging in South America. The wood of peroba here employed, comes from a tree of the family of the Apocynacées originating in the extreme north-east of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Frequently found in Brazilian design, this wood is dark pink in color. The horizontal surface of these chairs is covered by a very fine wickerwork, in perfect harmony with the wood.
Among the pieces that enjoyed international success are the Reversível and Costela chairs, which received the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award.
Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) & Martin Eisler (1913-1977)
Estimate: 7000 / 9000 €
