Objects of folk art shifted into the focus of art experts and collectors as early as the late nineteenth/beginning of the twentieth century. Over time, the interest in cultural and social context has led to an increasing popularity of this field that is also reflected in Dorotheum’s regularly held auctions.  

With their bold style, renouncement of perspective, and accentuating outlines, reverse glass paintings featuring devotional themes, which used to be produced in peasant homes during the winter season in the nineteenth century, their principal target area being the rural market, inspired the artists of the ‘Der Blaue Reiter’ group to hark back to this technique. Originally created for edification, these works are now gaining increasing importance because of their decorative value for modern interiors.

Objects manufactured in a monastic environment, such as votive offerings or decorative devotional objects, increasingly attract the interest of detail-loving collectors, who frequently have the chance to discover coveted items in Dorotheum’s sales.

Because of their delicate work and timeless texts, greeting cards are sought-after collectibles granting insight into people’s mindset in the age of Biedermeier.

Rustic arts and crafts, as well as domestic items made of pewter, glass, and wood complete our range, as do instruments and tools used by workers and craftspeople, which we regularly offer for sale in our auctions.

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