Karl Bender

The mark “KB” appears on some of the finest objets d’art produced in Vienna during the last quarter of the 19th century. These exceptional works—tazzas, cups, nefs, clocks, and cornucopias—were crafted in the opulent style of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque, often incorporating elaborately carved rock crystal, finely hand-painted enamel, and silver-gilt mounts adorned with precious stones.

The Viennese tradition of such luxurious revivalist objects was pioneered by a select group of artisans, including Hermann Böhm and Hermann Ratzersdorfer. Competing at the highest level, pieces bearing the mark “KB” were once attributed to Karl Bank, a jeweller active in Vienna between 1895 and 1924. However, recent research has clarified that these masterpieces were, in fact, the work of Karl Bender.

Bender established his workshop in Vienna in 1875, initially operating at Wienstrasse 63 before relocating to Grüngasse 25 in 1881, where he remained until 1892 (see Waltraud Neuwirth, Wiener Gold- und Silberschmiede und ihre Punzen, 1867-1922, Vienna, 1976, p. 102). Trained under the esteemed goldsmith Hermann Leichter, Bender specialised in revivalist gold and silver objects, excelling in the art of hardstone and enamel-mounted treasures. His pieces stand out for their remarkable craftsmanship, intricate detailing, and exquisite use of painted enamel, a technique that set Viennese luxury objects apart in the international art market of the late 19th century.

Bender’s works were highly sought after by collectors and aristocrats, often exhibited at international expositions, where Vienna’s goldsmiths vied for recognition against their Parisian and German counterparts. His meticulous techniques and stylistic precision placed him among the leading craftsmen of his time, ensuring that his creations remain prized in museums and private collections today.