Decorative ornament (3) - Lignifer - Hungary - MCM Brutalist Copper Bras






Holds a bachelor's degree in history of art and architecture, with 12 years of experience in decorative arts.
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Three-piece Brutalist Mid-Century Modern desktop ensemble from Hungary, produced by Lignifer in the 1960s–1970s, incorporating brass, copper and wood, weighing about 4 kg and measuring up to 40 cm high and 20 cm wide.
Description from the seller
## Overview
A striking, highly collectible 4-piece East-European Mid-Century Modernist / Brutalist desktop ensemble, handcrafted in Budapest, Hungary, during the 1960s/1970s. The set showcases a spectacular combination of smooth, polished red copper sheets, heavily hammered honeycomb structures, and deep organic "bark-texture" relief bands in patinated bronze alloy.
Crucially, this lot represents a museum-grade archival collection of post-war Hungarian industrial craft and applied arts, with items retaining their original vintage artisan guild tags, workshop labels, or official enterprise hallmarks.
### Lot Composition & Provenance
1. Large Statement Vase (LIGNIFER)
* Dimensions: H 29 cm x W 18 cm
* Description: Features a beautiful organic hammered texture neck resting on a sleek copper flared base with a relief geometric pattern band.
* Provenance: Authenticated with the original vintage yellow paper workshop label on the base from the famous "LIGNIFER Ipari Szövetkezet" studio (Model/Cikkszám: 488, original state price 960 Ft).
2. Mid-Century Enamel & Copper Vase (LIGNIFER)
* Dimensions: H 21 cm x W 18 cm
* Description: Showcases a heavy organic hand-hammered red copper body highlighted by a wide central brutalist brass belt inset with brilliant red fire enamel cabochons.
* Provenance: Identical construction style and base composition to the large statement vase. The underside base retains the clear, distinct square adhesive footprint where the original Lignifer workshop label sat.
3. Desktop Humidor / Cigarette Casket (Iparművészeti Vállalat)
* Dimensions: 16 x 10 x 4 cm (Weight: 650g)
* Description: Features a smooth copper lid decorated with a raised, cast-bronze beaded medallion. The interior opens via a smooth piano hinge to a clean, twin-compartment solid beechwood liner. Stamped with the "Mészáros" hallmark on the rear rim.
* Provenance: Medallion proudly displays the official "AM" quality monogram of the Hungarian State Applied Arts Enterprise (Iparművészeti Vállalat).
4. Decorative Plate / Vide-Poche (Artisan Guild)
* Dimensions: Diameter 25 cm
* Description: Features a stunning hand-hammered honeycomb rim enclosing a high-relief repoussé central medallion with stylized zoomorphic/floral motifs.
* Provenance: Authenticated with its original blue paper tag from the Budapest VII. Síp Street artisan guild (Nemez- és Rostfeldolgozó Háziipari Szövetkezet).
## Technical Specifications
* Style: Mid-Century Modern / Brutalist
* Period: ca. 1960s–1970s
* Materials: Red Copper, Cast Bronze, Brass, Fire Enamel, Beechwood
* Combined Weight: Superb, heavy industrial-grade metal construction (Approx. 2.5+ kg total packed).
### Condition Report
Excellent vintage condition across the collection with no structural cracks, splits, deep dents, or metal punctures. The copper and bronze retain a magnificent, authentic, time-honored patina and natural oxidation halos which collectors highly prize. The piano hinge on the casket functions perfectly and shuts flush. Minimal, light superficial surface scuffs consistent with over 50 years of age and gentle display. Note: Two tiny decorative red enamel dots are missing from the relief band of the 21 cm vase, fully consistent with age and typical handling.
Please note that I am not shipping to the Middle East area due to the current situation.
## Overview
A striking, highly collectible 4-piece East-European Mid-Century Modernist / Brutalist desktop ensemble, handcrafted in Budapest, Hungary, during the 1960s/1970s. The set showcases a spectacular combination of smooth, polished red copper sheets, heavily hammered honeycomb structures, and deep organic "bark-texture" relief bands in patinated bronze alloy.
Crucially, this lot represents a museum-grade archival collection of post-war Hungarian industrial craft and applied arts, with items retaining their original vintage artisan guild tags, workshop labels, or official enterprise hallmarks.
### Lot Composition & Provenance
1. Large Statement Vase (LIGNIFER)
* Dimensions: H 29 cm x W 18 cm
* Description: Features a beautiful organic hammered texture neck resting on a sleek copper flared base with a relief geometric pattern band.
* Provenance: Authenticated with the original vintage yellow paper workshop label on the base from the famous "LIGNIFER Ipari Szövetkezet" studio (Model/Cikkszám: 488, original state price 960 Ft).
2. Mid-Century Enamel & Copper Vase (LIGNIFER)
* Dimensions: H 21 cm x W 18 cm
* Description: Showcases a heavy organic hand-hammered red copper body highlighted by a wide central brutalist brass belt inset with brilliant red fire enamel cabochons.
* Provenance: Identical construction style and base composition to the large statement vase. The underside base retains the clear, distinct square adhesive footprint where the original Lignifer workshop label sat.
3. Desktop Humidor / Cigarette Casket (Iparművészeti Vállalat)
* Dimensions: 16 x 10 x 4 cm (Weight: 650g)
* Description: Features a smooth copper lid decorated with a raised, cast-bronze beaded medallion. The interior opens via a smooth piano hinge to a clean, twin-compartment solid beechwood liner. Stamped with the "Mészáros" hallmark on the rear rim.
* Provenance: Medallion proudly displays the official "AM" quality monogram of the Hungarian State Applied Arts Enterprise (Iparművészeti Vállalat).
4. Decorative Plate / Vide-Poche (Artisan Guild)
* Dimensions: Diameter 25 cm
* Description: Features a stunning hand-hammered honeycomb rim enclosing a high-relief repoussé central medallion with stylized zoomorphic/floral motifs.
* Provenance: Authenticated with its original blue paper tag from the Budapest VII. Síp Street artisan guild (Nemez- és Rostfeldolgozó Háziipari Szövetkezet).
## Technical Specifications
* Style: Mid-Century Modern / Brutalist
* Period: ca. 1960s–1970s
* Materials: Red Copper, Cast Bronze, Brass, Fire Enamel, Beechwood
* Combined Weight: Superb, heavy industrial-grade metal construction (Approx. 2.5+ kg total packed).
### Condition Report
Excellent vintage condition across the collection with no structural cracks, splits, deep dents, or metal punctures. The copper and bronze retain a magnificent, authentic, time-honored patina and natural oxidation halos which collectors highly prize. The piano hinge on the casket functions perfectly and shuts flush. Minimal, light superficial surface scuffs consistent with over 50 years of age and gentle display. Note: Two tiny decorative red enamel dots are missing from the relief band of the 21 cm vase, fully consistent with age and typical handling.
Please note that I am not shipping to the Middle East area due to the current situation.
