Robert Prenzel was born in Elling in Prussia in 1866 He began his career as a wood carver at the age of 14 years under Ge Bauer, from the Munich School of Art.

He worked there for four years six days a week and ten hours a day. There he studied the art of design, group placing and massing effects for light and shade. Following this, he spent four years touring Europe carving his way through many countries. He contacted the Society of Carvers in each city and produced articles mainly for church decoration such as pulpits, screens and altars.

In 1888 Robert Prenzel visited Melbourne to view the Centennial International. Exhibition and remained here to establish himself as a cabinet maker and wood carver. Prenzel commenced his work in Australia with carvings in his highly elaborate and individual version of the German Renaissance and Rococo Revival styles - working on more...

25 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Robert Prenzel Australian blackwood blanket box, carved with…

Robert Prenzel Australian blackwood blanket box, carved with gumnuts, leaves and branches, early 20th century, ink stamp 'Toorak Road' label to base, 45 cm high, 90 cm wide, 46 cm deep

A very large Faunal and floral carved oak mirror frame by…

Exquisite Faunal and Floral Carved Oak Mirror Frame

A very large Faunal and floral carved oak mirror frame by Robert Prenzel, 1905-1910, a plate frame of 'Sansovino' type, the toprail with a figure of a cockatoo alighting on a crest of two overlaid escutcheons pierced by a spray of fruiting foliage and…

An oak low book-case by Robert Prenzel, 1929, the rectangular…

Robert Prenzel Oak Bookcase with Eucalyptus Carving, 1929

An oak low book-case by Robert Prenzel, 1929, the rectangular top with a low back and bevelled edge above a single cabinet door flanked by adjustable open shelves, the panelled door finely carved in relief with a spray of eucalyptus with open flowers and…

Robert Prenzel (attributed), a fine Tasmanian blackwood coal…

Gothic-style Blackwood Coal Scuttle with Carvings and Porcelain Castors

Robert Prenzel (attributed), a fine Tasmanian blackwood coal scuttle of generous proportions, carved in the Gothic manner with winged grotesque to the top and stylised griffin with shield initials to the hinged fall front with original tin liner,…

A carved Australian blackwood settle by Robert Prenzel, circa…

Carved Australian Blackwood Settle by Robert Prenzel, 1908

A carved Australian blackwood settle by Robert Prenzel, circa 1908, of rectilinear design, the panelled back and closed arms above the hinged seat enclosing a storage compartment, the back and lower part of the front each with a pair of panels finely…

A carved blackwood double bed by Robert Prenzel, circa 1908, of…

Robert Prenzel Carved Blackwood Double Bed

A carved blackwood double bed by Robert Prenzel, circa 1908, of rectilinear design, the headboard with a moulded toprail above a horizontal panel finely carved in relief with sprays of flowering and fruiting eucalyptus on a stippled ground, four plain…

A carved Australian blackwood wardrobe by Robert Prenzel, circa…

Art Nouveau Blackwood Wardrobe by Robert Prenzel, 1908

A carved Australian blackwood wardrobe by Robert Prenzel, circa 1908, of two tall cupboards enclosing hanging compartments flanking a recessed central arrangement of a smaller cupboard, drawers, and open compartments, all on a plinth base, each of the…

A carved Australian blackwood wash stand by Robert Prenzel,…

Robert Prenzel Carved Australian Blackwood Wash Stand

A carved Australian blackwood wash stand by Robert Prenzel, circa 1908, the rectangular marble top with a high back and an asymmetrical arrangement of a small cupboard, drawer, and open compartment below, raised on tapering square supports, the back with…

A carved Australian blackwood dressing table by Robert Prenzel,…

Robert Prenzel Carved Blackwood Dressing Table, Circa 1908

A carved Australian blackwood dressing table by Robert Prenzel, circa 1908, the rectangular top with a high back supporting a swinging mirror above a pair of small drawers, a pair of frieze drawers and cupboards flanking a kneehole below, on a plinth base…

A carved Australian blackwood chest of drawers by Robert…

Robert Prenzel Carved Blackwood Chest of Drawers

A carved Australian blackwood chest of drawers by Robert Prenzel, circa 1908, with two small cupboards flanking an open compartment and a small drawer above three long drawers, on a plinth base, the top with a low Art Nouveau style pediment back finely…

Robert Prenzel (attributed) Australian carved timber hall seat…

Australian Carved Timber Hall Seat with Lift-Top Storage Base

Robert Prenzel (attributed) Australian carved timber hall seat with lift-top storage base impressively carved with gumnuts and leaves, early 20th century 123 cm high, 115 cm wide, 55 cm deep

Robert Prenzel (Treede & Prenzel) fine Australian blackwood…

Treede & Prenzel Blackwood Corner Cabinet with Carvings

Robert Prenzel (Treede & Prenzel) fine Australian blackwood wall mounted corner cabinet with beautifully carved panel doors and unusual pivot hinge drawer, early 20th century stamped 'Treede & Prenzel, Sturt Street, South Melbourne' 140 cm high, 84 cm…

Robert Prenzel centre table, Queensland maple with carved…

Gumnut Carved Maple Centre Table

Robert Prenzel centre table, Queensland maple with carved gumnuts, leaves, blossoms and branches on four sides, early 20th century, 74 cm high, 92 cm wide, 58 cm deep

A Robert Prenzel chest, Robert Prenzel (1866-1941). C.1910. The…

Robert Prenzel Kookaburra Chest

A Robert Prenzel chest, Robert Prenzel (1866-1941). C.1910. The relief carved panel to the front depicting a kookaburra on a leaf baring eucalyptus branch. The hinged lid with original brass fixings. Stamped to underside of box 'Robt Prenzel/Toorak Road, …

After Robert Prenzel (Australian, 1866-1941), Arts & Crafts…

Arts & Crafts Water Lily Table

After Robert Prenzel (Australian, 1866-1941), Arts & Crafts occasional table, c. 1910, probably black bean, the top carved with water lilies flanked by two large leaves, height 60 cm width 114 cm depth 50 cm

Robert Prenzel (1866-1941), a pair of blackwood carved hall…

Gothic Renaissance Blackwood Hall Chairs by Robert Prenzel

Robert Prenzel (1866-1941), a pair of blackwood carved hall chairs, in Gothic Renaissance style, the back panels depicting winged demons each holding a shield. The solid wood seats carved with Art Nouveau flowers set upon a base carved with dolphins.…

School of Robert Prenzel carver chair, blackwood, early 20th…

Robert Prenzel Carver Chair with Orchid Carvings

School of Robert Prenzel carver chair, blackwood, early 20th century decorated with carved orchids monogram and dated 'E.Y.C. 6th Sept. 1904' 53 cm across the handles

An early 20th century Australian blackwood dwarf bookcase, in…

Australian Blackwood Bookcase with Carved Gum Leaves

An early 20th century Australian blackwood dwarf bookcase, in the manner of Prenzel, the frieze carved with foliate decoration, above open shelves flanked by panelled doors, each carved with gum leaves and foliate, 139 cm high, 148 cm wide, 45 cm deep

Robert Prenzel (1866-1941) an important blackwood settle, dated…

Gothic Renaissance Blackwood Settle, Dated 1903

Robert Prenzel (1866-1941) an important blackwood settle, dated 1903, the high back with and corbels at each end, above three panels, each finely carved in the Gothic Renaissance style, the outside left and right panels carved with Gryphons and inscribed…

School of Robert Prenzel occasional table carved with griffins,…

Prenzel's Griffins: Australian Blackwood Occasional Table

School of Robert Prenzel occasional table carved with griffins, Australian blackwood circa 1915. 48 cm high, 92 cm wide, 35 cm deep

Robert Prenzel (1866-1941) Mountain Ash fire screen, circa 1910,…

Mountain Ash Kookaburra Fire Screen

Robert Prenzel (1866-1941) Mountain Ash fire screen, circa 1910, central panel depicting two kookaburras perched on gum nut branch, carved with a waratah motif, framing the two top edges, 87 x 76 cm

Australian Art Nouveau carved blackwood pedestal from the…

Blackwood Art Nouveau Pedestal by Robert Prenzel

Australian Art Nouveau carved blackwood pedestal from the workshop of Robert Prenzel. Height 117 cm, width 33 cm, depth 33 cm

Robert Prenzel (1866-1941), a blackwood settle, circa 1904-1909…

Antique Blackwood Settle with Carvings and Latin Inscription

Robert Prenzel (1866-1941), a blackwood settle, circa 1904-1909 the rectangular back inscribed with the Latin motto Pax Huic Domui - Peace be to this house - above a gryphon frieze, stylised scroll arms and a hinged seat, the front and sides carved with…

A rare carved oak occasional table by Robert Prenzel and Johann…

Carved Oak Table by Treede & Prenzel

A rare carved oak occasional table by Robert Prenzel and Johann Treede, Australian, late 19th/early 20th century, signed ‘Treede & Prenzel, Sturt St., S.M, Europ. labor’. 72 cm high

Heavily carved blackwood overmantle mirror in Prenzel style

Blackwood Prenzel-style Overmantle Mirror with Intricate Carvings

Heavily carved blackwood overmantle mirror in Prenzel style