The Artistic Golden Age (1874-1934)
A period of artistic brilliance, innovation, and international acclaim.
1874
—
The firstborn son Ludwig Bakalowits (Sen.) joins the company after the request of his mother.
1882
—
Therese retires in this year but still comes to the store every day until she died in 1916 at the age of 97.
Collaborations begin with Bohemian glassworks
Winterberg, Eleonorenhain, Marschendorf, Klostermühle, Lötz.
In the same time Bakalowits starts to work with artists of the Vienna School of Applied Arts.
1880-1883
—
Wins major awards including the Gold Medal of the Austrian Museum for Art and Industry.
1883
—
Ludwig Bakalowits Co founds the Wiener Kunstgewerbeverein (Today known as the MAK) whose chairmanship he became in 1894.
1890
—
Awarded K.u.K. Hoflieferant (Purveyor to the Imperial Court)
The Seal of the Purveyor to the Imperial Court of Austria
SEAL of the Purveyor to the Imperial Court
1890
—
Bakalowits delivers electrified chandeliers for the Neue Hofburg (Imperial Castle, Vienna) - the first in the Habsburg empire.
1896
—
For Bakalowits Sen., glass and lighting were only the beginning. His curiosity led him to widen his design horizon, creating sculptural indoor water fountains that reflected the same artistic ambition as his luminaires.
1897
—
With his commitment and support of various artists of the time, Ludwig Bakalowits Sen. also became a founding member of the Viennese Secession.
Together with his artistic knowhow, the possibilities of his company & his connections, he helped the artists of this new movement to implement their new ideas into producible designs.
Many of them went on to become Iconic Masterpieces.
1903
—
The famous “HOFFMAN PALM” chandelier
A design collaboration between Josef Hoffman & Ludwig Bakalowits Sen.
Today it is regarded as the most iconic lighting masterpiece the Secession has brought forward.
It is reported that the design for this light was sketched on a piece of napkin, during a private lunch between Ludwig Bakalowits Sen. , Josef Hoffman & several members of the Secession movement at the Cafe „König von Ungarn“, during one of their weekly meetings to discuss ideas & designs.
Bakalowits emerges as one of Europe’s leading innovators in artistic lighting.
Over 100 distinctive lighting designs — from chandeliers and sconces to avant‑garde table lamps — are created during this period.
Close collaborations with Koloman Moser, Josef Hoffman, Otto Prutscher, Adolf Loos, Alfred Roller, Jutta Sika, and other pioneers shape a new visual language for modern illumination.
Fotocredits: Kunsthandel Florian Kolhammer
1887 – 1908
—
Bakalowits becomes one of Europe’s most important Glasverleger (glass publishers).
Over 6,000 different designs were produced in this period.
Collaborations with Koloman Moser, Josef Hoffmann, Otto Prutscher, Adolf Loos, Alfred Roller, Jutta Sika, and more.
Fotocredits: Kunsthandel Florian Kolhammer
1903
—
Koloman Moser designs together with Bakalowits the iconic
“Meteor” service No. 100 A
Fotocredits: Kunsthandel Florian Kolhammer
1905
—
Order for a 500 piece drinking service from the Prince of Liechtenstein as a wedding present for his friend Lobkowitz.
Personally designed by Ludwig Bakalowits Sen. & based on old designs with rich cuts and opulent engravings.
One of the biggest single orders of Glassware at that time.
1900 – 1910
—
Exhibits in Chicago, Paris, St. Petersburg, London, Turin, Geneva.
1912
—
Bakalowits moves it showroom to Spiegelgasse 3.
The new showroom’s façade bears the hand of several Secession artists — a tribute offered in recognition of Bakalowits’ unwavering support for their vision and its role in shaping Vienna’s artistic heritage.
1918–1930
—
Bakalowits adapts to post war economy with high quality tableware, silver, and lighting.
1934
—
Ludwig dies after six decades of artistic leadership.
