Designed by Josef Danhauser, Vienna circa 1805/15, hardwood shafts carved in the form of seated women, rams’ heads and paws, painted in gold and black, with gesso decoration in the typical manner: the upper section with metal top bearing seven lights, with vase-shaped nozzles, height each 204 cm, the painting slightly retouched, some ageing and wear, with small losses to the wood and gesso. (MIN) Josef Danhauser (1780-1829)) was considered one of the most important exponents of Viennese Neo-Classical and Biedermeier furniture. As a skilled sculptor he was first engaged as a carver of ornament using a paste created by himself, which he developed into his trademark product. In 1812 the court granted him the exclusive right to produce this paste which imitated bronze. The company which he founded in 1807 was the first large Viennese house of interior decoration which produced gilt, silvered and bronzed sculptural wares. Already by 1808 had received the "k. k. Landesfabriks-Privilegium" (Royal and Imperial regional factory privilege) for his production, which comprised not only decorative elements and furniture ornament, but also freestanding pieces to lighting units. Therefore, it was not furniture which marked the beginning of the Danhauser factory but three-dimensional accessories for interiors and small scale furniture decoration, which every cabinet maker needed in order to keep his products up to date. Only when the factory was granted permission to produce all manner of furniture ("auf die Verfertigung aller Gattungen Möbel") in 1814 could the company expand. The success of their work was such that already by 1808 it employed over 100 people in its Viennese branch (Palais Karolyi) and had founded further branches outside Vienna.