Essentially dubbed the Frank Llyoyd Wright of Europe by Wright himself, Adolf Loos possessed a talent for architecture and interior design as potent as his outspoken criticism of Art Nouveau and excessive ornamentation. A forerunner of the International Style, Loos exercised immense restraint in his building projects as well as his designs for chairs, tables, storage pieces and other furniture, and wrote prolifically on his disdain for taking a decorative approach to architecture.
The son of a stonemason and sculptor, Loos was born in 1870 in what is now Brno in the Czech Republic. He studied architecture in Dresden in 1889, completed a year of military service and moved to the United States by 1893. He visited the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and came to appreciate the American approach to design over his three-year stay before returning to Vienna.
An avid proponent of simplicity, Loos hated fluff above all else. In his best known essay, “Ornament and Crime,” he states “the evolution of culture is synonymous with the removal of ornamentation from objects of everyday use” — a principle evident in both his architectural work and furniture. His writing was profoundly influential for practitioners of the International Style that would emerge later as well as the likes of prolific Swiss-born French architect and modernist prophet Le Corbusier.
Loos challenged the prevailing architecture and decorating styles of his time, and disliked the ornate work associated with the Vienna Secession and Gesamtkunstwerk — the concept of a house as total work of art — an ideal pursued by a collective born from the Secession called the Wiener Werkstätte. To Loos, design should prioritize function, and any ornamentation devoid of a structural purpose was childish and unnecessary.
Loos’s furniture — alongside the work of fellow Austrian architect Josef Hoffman — was the subject of an exhibition at the Museum of Applied Arts in 2014. His architecture projects, including the Viennese Goldman and Salatsch building, the Austrian Steiner House and the Villa Müller in Prague, are celebrated by design enthusiasts all over the world.
Find vintage Adolf Loos seating, lighting and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Adolf Loos Vienna Modernism Wall Clock by Junghans, Germany, 1920s
By Junghans Uhren GmbH, Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful minimalist wall clock, dating back to around 1920, designed by Adolf Loos (1870–1933), manufactured by Junghans Germany. This clock stands out with its unmistakable octag...
Metal, Brass, Enamel, Sheet Metal
Large antique wall clock by Adolf Loos
By Adolf Loos
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
The largest (and high-quality version) of this model by the Viennese master belter Johannes Heeg. Octagonal housing made of sheet copper (with antique patina). Dial made of chased br...
Brass
Original Art Deco Wall Clock by Adolf Loos Early 20th Century, Functioning
By Woka Lamps, Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
Functioning wall clock, model design Adolf Loos, circa 1920, white enameled octagonal metal housing, clear glass in nickel binding (flap missing), black hands and numbers, signs of u...
Brass
Adolf Loos Jugendstil Mantelpiece-Clock Solid Brass Facetted Glass, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
Mantelpiece clock, often used by Adolf Loos in houses he designed. Casted brass-frame on four Rhomboid legs, strengthened edges leading to octagonal side frames, facettet glasses, cl...
Brass
Sold|$1,172
H 4.73 in W 9.45 in D 2.37 in
Vintage 1960s Hollywood Regency Solid Brass Table Clock Dugena, Switzerland
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Very heavy solid brass table clock Origin: Switzerland and Germany Producer: Dugena Electric Age: 1960s This original vintage table clock was produced in the...
Metal, Brass
$473
H 11.82 in Dm 7.88 in
Rare Golden Junghans Gilt Brass Enamel Wall Clock with Original Quartz Movement
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Bochum, NRW
A sculptural timepiece with technical pedigree, this vintage Junghans W 751 wall clock showcases the brand’s pioneering quartz movement from the 1970s. Dimensions: 20x6x27cm (WxDxH)...
Brass
Large French Walnut Brass Wall Sculpture Clock
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern French Deco style wall clock sculpture. Nice combination of solid brass and walnut details. Dated 1959, stamped: Made in France.
Brass
Jugendstil mantel clock by Junghans Darmstadt
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Jugendstil mantel clock by Junghans Darmstadt. Professionally stained and repolished.
Brass
$644Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.97 in W 5.91 in D 9.45 in
Junghans Ato-Mat Wall Clock with Timer, 1960s, Design Max Bill
By Max Bill, Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Turku, Finland
Elegant Junghans Ato-Mat wall clock with integrated timer, produced in Switzerland / Germany, circa 1960s. A classic mid-century modern design associated with the Bauhaus-influenced ...
Metal
Beautiful Large Bauhaus Wall Clock
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare wall clock made of wooden frame with white painted glass clock face and black digits caught in steel, made by Chomutov in the 1930s. The original movement replaced to an el...
Steel
Antique Mahogany Drop Dial Wall Clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Mahogany Drop Dial Wall Clock, having a quality mahogany circular glazed door opening to reveal a painted dial with original hands and an 8 day movement above a drop case wit...
Mahogany
Mocap 'Discodip' Illusionistic Wall Clock
Located in Maastricht, NL
Mocap 'Discodip' illusionistic wall clock design: JAN PAUL “Time is an illusion” Most wall-clocks have the same basic shape: round. Also the ...
Metal
$325
H 13 in W 5 in D 5 in
German Junghans Style Brass Lady Diana Figure Porcelain Dial Swinging Clock
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Danville, CA
German Junghans Style Brass Lady Diana Figure Swinging Clock with Porcelain Dial Solid Brass cast statue with polished wood base. Hand painted 2" porcelain dial. Clock portion swing...
Brass
German 1960s Junghans Pendulum + Weights + Gong Wall Clock
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Krefeld, DE
Wall clock Design & produced by Junghans in 1960s. Brass metal and Teak wood. Mechanical movement and gong is in good working condition. Very nice gong but if you don't like it is po...
Brass
Travel Alarm Clock by Junghans, circa 1960s
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Wien, AT
Travel alarm clock by Junghans, circa 1960s Original condition Brass with green faux leather cover Still working Measures: Open height 8cm, wide 7cm, deep 8cm Closed height 3cm,...
Brass
Antique Monkey Barber Animated Brass-Cased Novelty Clock
Located in Forney, TX
A most amusing late 19th / early 20th century animated novelty clock, depicting monkey barber giving a haircut with disastrous results. Art Nouveau period, brass-cased, gimbal suppo...
Brass
Adolf Loos Vienna Modernism Wall Clock, Austria, 1920s
By Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful minimalist wall clock, dating back to around 1920, designed by Adolf Loos (1870–1933). This clock stands out with its unmistakable octagonal case, crafted from lacquered ...
Metal, Brass, Enamel, Sheet Metal