Comparing Bauhaus and Art Nouveau

 Marianne Brandt is a Bauhaus designer who is considered very important for her development process in design. During her time at the Bauhaus, Marianne Brandt produced works that have become icons of the Bauhaus movement. These include her innovative designs of items such as: metal ashtrays, tea and coffee services, lamps and other household objects, using simple geometric forms. 

(1928)  Her lamps were very suitable for mass production as she excellently carries out the skill and the product which will result a functional form rather than traditional craftmanship one. Utilitarian designs were very much introduced at that time. This “Coffee and Tea Set, 1924” is an example of her metal works following simple, smooth surfaces and geometric shapes. 

Although entirely hand-made, this silver tea infuser has an industrial aesthetic look as she of course, always designs for mass-production. The functionalism of this design is apparent in the neat built-in strainer, the non-drip spout, the off-centre placement of the lid, and the choice of heat-resistant ebony for the handles, which would otherwise be too hot to hold.

                                         

The Constructivists and the Deutsche Verkbund paved the way for the design to be more functional and useful rather than only decorative.

One can compare Marianne Brandt’s simple, geometrical works with Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co.  Quadruple Silver Plate Chrysanthemum Coffee Tea Set Creamer Sugar. This set includes the tea or coffee pot with hinged lid, open sugar bowl and creamer. It is really decorative and not geometrical at all. It shows designs from the Art Nouveau Movement with huge florals. It is beautiful repousse work in the form of elaborate Acanthus leaf scrollwork and large Chrysanthemum flowers with leaves. More attention to decoration was given rather than functionality. 

The British Museum, n.d.. Marianne Brandt, a tea-infuser. [online] Available at:<Van den Berg, L., n.d.. Marianne Brandt – Iconic Bauhaus Designer>

Mid-Century Modern Furniture Then and Now. [blog] 2 January. Available at:<http://www.midcenturymodernfurniturethenandnow.com/marianne-brandt-iconic-bauhaus-designer/> [Accessed 9 November 2013].

Marianne Brandt, 1924. Coffee and Tea Set. [image online] Available at:<http://arthistory.about.com/od/from_exhibitions/ig/bauhaus_1919_1933/bauhaus_moma_09_14.htm> [Accessed  9 November 2013].