Sonderanfertigung - Rarität - Einzelstück - Suitcase

Rare Art Deco custom-designed piece in aluminum – Viennese Modernism, probably Vienna around 1930!!

Extraordinary Art Deco document case made of aluminum – likely Vienna, around 1928–1938

A rare and hitherto undocumented example of Functionalist design from the interwar period. This exceptional document, sample, or presentation case combines the technical elegance of Art Deco with the clear formal language of Viennese Modernism.

The construction consists of large aluminum plates, which are elaborately riveted and combined with black leather appliqués. High-quality metal fittings, precisely executed locking mechanisms, and an original leather handle emphasize the sophisticated quality of the craftsmanship. Particularly noteworthy is the technically demanding accordion-like inner construction, whose careful execution points to a specialized workshop fabrication.

The use of aluminum in the late 1920s and early 1930s was an expression of progress, innovation, and modern design sensibility. The material was regarded as a symbol of technical avant-garde and found use in aviation, automotive manufacture, and in exclusive consumer objects for the upper middle class. The architectural sternness of the form and the visible rivet construction give the object an unusually timeless presence.

To date, neither manufacturer marks nor identical comparator pieces have been proven. The overall execution therefore most likely indicates a custom-made piece or a very small workshop/manufacturing run, possibly made for an architect, engineer, industrialist, or technical representative.

Stylistically, the piece is close to the currents of Viennese Functionalism, Viennese Modernism, and the matter-of-fact Art Deco of the interwar period. The combination of aluminum, leather, and technical precision recalls the pioneering design principles of that era, in which form and function merged into a complete unity.

Cataloging

Object: Document-, sample-, or presentation case
Origin: presumably Vienna, Austria
Dating: c. 1928–1938
Style: Art Deco, Viennese Modernism, Functionalism
Material: aluminum, leather, metal fittings
Execution: presumably a custom-made piece or small-series workshop work
Dimensions: 36 × 20 × 19 cm

An extraordinary collector’s item with a pronounced unique-character, which in remarkable ways unites design history, craft, and industrial aesthetics.

Regarding the condition: The exterior aluminum/metal components show only minor light dings as seen in the detail photos; further, at the outer edge the metal is dented, something that can certainly be repaired… beyond that the surface should remain minimal. There are scratches (see photos)!