"Ballspende" souvenir (book and decorative case) from the 1901 Vienna City Ball

Designer Koloman Moser Austrian
1901
Not on view
This "Ballspende" (or "ball donation") is a commemorative souvenir, or a party favor if you will, that was given to guests attending the Vienna City Ball in 1901. The object consists of two parts—a printed book, and a decorative book slipcase—and was probably designed to be worn or carried during the evening's festivities. Koloman Moser's influence as a designer and educator was significant, as a founding member of the Vienna Secession and co-founder of the Wiener Werkstätte in 1903, just two years after the commission of this party souvenir.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Ballspende" souvenir (book and decorative case) from the 1901 Vienna City Ball
  • Designer: Koloman Moser (Austrian, Vienna 1868–1918 Vienna)
  • Date: 1901
  • Medium: Champleve enamel, copper, velvet, rope, cloth-bound book
  • Dimensions: 2021.54.34b (case): 6 1/4 × 3 1/8 × 5/8 in., 0.2 lb. (15.9 × 7.9 × 1.6 cm, 72.576g)
    2021.54.34a (book): 2 3/4 × 6 5/8 × 1/4 in., 0.2 lb. (7 × 16.8 × 0.6 cm, 72.576g)
  • Classification: Books
  • Credit Line: Gift of Jacqueline Loewe Fowler, 2020
  • Object Number: 2021.54.34a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Koloman Moser - "Ballspende" souvenir (book and decorative case) from the 1901 Vienna City Ball - The Metropolitan Museum of Art