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 Adolf Loos, Junghans Uhren GmbH
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
$478
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
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
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
Large Industrial Antique French Clock Face
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Epic industrial wall clock face with zinc trim and surround, enamel face with Roman numerals. Non-working, architectural element for unique decor. Age appropriate condition including...
Enamel
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
Vintage Italian Postmodern Wall Clock from Junghans, 1980s
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Italian Postmodern Wall Clock from Junghans, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark.
Plastic
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
Wall Clock by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Vienna, AT
Piero Fornasetti wall clock created in 1990s. Glass clock face with printed woman face and digits with quartz clockwork. Measures: Ø 37 cm.
Glass
Antique Walnut Wall Clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Walnut Wall Clock, having a quality carved walnut case with original turned finials, reeded columns and solid walnut carvings and gla...
Brass
$1,016
H 1.78 in Dm 17.72 in
Beautiful large original 1960s brass sunburst wall clock by Junghans ATO-MAT
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in München, DE
Beautiful, large, original 1960s brass sunburst wall clock by Junghans ATO-MAT. Very beautiful, elaborate mid-century design. Battery-operated with a new clock mechanism. Dial with R...
Brass
Large Bakelite Industrial, Train Station Wall Clock
Located in Vienna, AT
Bakelite industrial wall clock from about 1940's, 1950's. Diameter 49 cm and a depth of 10,5 cm. The clock is in perfect condition, no major scr...
Bakelite, Glass
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