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 Corner Chair, F.O. Schmidt, Oak Wood Leather, Jugendstil, 1898-1900
By Adolf Loos, Friedrich Otto Schmidt
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A corner armchair designed by Adolf Loos (1870-1933) and manufactured by Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Vienna, Austria, circa 1900. The condition of the wood is very good. The leather seat...
Leather, Wood
Windsor Chair B952F by Adolf Loos for Thonet
By Adolf Loos, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Windsor chair B952F by Adolf Loos for Thonet in very good original condition.
Wood, Beech
$1,260Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Czech Armchair in Dark Walnut with Plywood Seat
By Adolf Loos, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 1994, the Hermann Czech chair represents the turning point of modern furniture towards the passion of reminiscence and intimacy: a contemporary design that evokes memorie...
Wood
$1,147Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Magistretti 03 01 Armchair in Red Lacquered Beech
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Adolf Loos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Vico Magistretti in 2003, the Magistretti 03 01 chair combines the warmth of wood and the timeless elegance of the design language of Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH (GTV) wi...
Wood
$1,328Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Czech Armchair in Steel Blue with Plywood Seat
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Adolf Loos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 1994, the Hermann Czech chair represents the turning point of modern furniture towards the passion of reminiscence and intimacy: a contemporary design that evokes memorie...
Wood
Art Nouveau Armchair 'Model Stössler', Design by Adolf Loos, Vienna, circa 1900
By Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
Adolf Loos (1870 - 1933) designed the chair model shown here in 1899 based on an English model as part of his earliest work as an interior designer for the dining room in Eugen Stössler's apartment in Vienna. The omission of the front supports of the armrests and the backwards curved legs lend the early chair a touch of elegance. Instead of the turned legs of the English model, Loos used smooth round wood with brass feet to protect the carpet. So these ankle cuffs fulfill a practical purpose and at the same time have a decorative effect. They thus correspond to Loos' demand for a 'unity of form and function'. Beautifully shaped furniture made by hand in high quality, solid walnut and veneered, shellac hand-polished, upholstered seat and covered with leather, brass nails and brass shoes. Execution: Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Vienna, circa 1900 Model number 6865 The model was produced by the company F. O. Schmidt and was also in their offer at the time. This explains why this chair model, specially designed by Loos for one of his interiors, can also be found on the art market. Measures: Total height: 82.0 cm / 32.28 in Seat height: 47.0 cm / 18.50 in Width: 57.0 cm / 22.44 in Depth: 50.0 cm / 19.68 in Bibliography: - The dining room in the Stössler apartment was published in 1900 in the Viennese arts and crafts...
Brass
$1,703Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Sugiloo Chair in Black Lacquer in Backrest
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Adolf Loos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The rigorous style of Michael Anastassiades defines the new SUGILOO bent wood chair with wood or upholstered seat, proposed with and without wooden backrest. A strongly contemporary ...
Wood
Armchair (6) — Adolf Loos — Café Capua
By Adolf Loos, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Budapest, HU
Adolf Loos Café Capua Armchairs by J.J. Kohn, c. 1900–1910 These Café Capua armchairs, designed by the renowned Austrian architect Adolf Loos and produced by J.J. Kohn between 1900 ...
Leather, Beech
$1,388Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Sugiloo Chair in Black Lacquer
By Adolf Loos, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The rigorous style of Michael Anastassiades defines the new SUGILOO bent wood chair with wood or upholstered seat, proposed with and without wooden bac...
Wood
Set of Four B 952/F Armchairs by Adolf Loos for Thonet
By Adolf Loos, Thonet
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Designed in 1903 by the pioneering Austrian architect and designer Adolf Loos, the B 952 F armchair represents a rare convergence of utilitarian form and refined craftsmanship. Execu...
Beech
$1,275Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH 144 Armchair in Walnut with Strip Pattern Seat
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Adolf Loos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An unusual classic. Elegant and comfortable. The new color variants of this chair evoke the ambiance of the cafe society. A new edition of the model originally designed by Adolf Loos...
Wood
$1,240Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Twiggy Armchair in Steel with Orange & Backrest
By Adolf Loos, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An unusual classic. Elegant and comfortable. The new color variants of this chair evoke the ambiance of the cafe society. A new edition of the model originally designed by Adolf Loos...
Steel
$1,328Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Czech Armchair in Orange with Plywood & Birch Feet
By Adolf Loos, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 1994, the Hermann Czech chair represents the turning point of modern furniture towards the passion of reminiscence and intimacy: a contemporary design that evokes memorie...
Wood
$1,147Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Magistretti 03 01 Armchair in Beech
By Adolf Loos, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Vico Magistretti in 2003, the Magistretti 03 01 chair combines the warmth of wood and the timeless elegance of the design language of Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH (GTV) wi...
Wood
$1,100Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH 144 Armchair in Walnut with Cane Seat
By Adolf Loos, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An unusual classic. Elegant and comfortable. The new color variants of this chair evoke the ambiance of the cafe society. A new edition of the model originally designed by Adolf Loos...
Wood
$2,840Sale Price|20% Off
F. O. Schmidt - Adolf Loos - Armchair - Bureau Chair - Leather, Oak
By Adolf Loos
Located in Budapest, HU
Bureau Chair (Armchair) Vienna, c. 1900, Design by Adolf Loos, Manufactured by F. O. Schmidt, c. 1905/10 This elegant Bureau Chair, designed by renowned architect Adolf Loos, is a d...
Leather, Oak
$1,147Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Magistretti 03 01 Armchair in Lacquered Beech
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Adolf Loos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Vico Magistretti in 2003, the Magistretti 03 01 chair combines the warmth of wood and the timeless elegance of the design language of Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH (GTV) wi...
Wood
$1,486Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Magistretti 03 01 Armchair in Beech with Leather
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Adolf Loos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Vico Magistretti in 2003, the Magistretti 03 01 chair combines the warmth of wood and the timeless elegance of the design language of Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH (GTV) wi...
Wood
Armchair number 6151 by Adolf Loos for Thonet, 1900s, France
By Adolf Loos, Thonet
Located in Brussels, BE
Armchair number 6151 by Adolf Loos for Thonet, 1900s, France Adolf Franz Karl Viktor Maria Loos( 10 December 1870 – 23 August 1933) was an Austrian and Czechoslovak architect, influ...
Beech
$1,884
H 33.08 in W 21.07 in D 16.54 in
Antique Dutch Armchair Triangular Turned Bobbin Corner Chair Rush Seat Rustic
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Late 19th century bobbin turned wood armchair with rush seat, ca 1900 Manufactured in The Netherlands. Beautiful antique bobbin/ knitting chair with t...
Wicker, Oak
Adolf Loos (1870-1933) Secessionist Bench, Thonet No.6150
By Adolf Loos
Located in London, GB
A rare Viennese Secessionist bench by Austrian and Czechoslovak architect and influential European theorist Adolf Loos (1870-1933). Produced by Thonet, Austria, circa 1915. Stain...
Wood
Art Nouveau Armchair, England circa 1900
Located in Culver City, CA
England, 1900 Elegant armchair with unique backrest and original upholstery. 27”w x 25”d x 50.5”d x 16”seat Ref. CHAIR1355 $ 5,800
Fabric, Wood
American Georgian Walnut Upholstered Corner Chair, Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
American Georgian walnut corner chair with carved splat backs, carved decorative molded edge, scrolled arms, turned ringed columns, carved corner fret...
Upholstery, Walnut
Fledermaus Chairs by Josef Hoffman for Thonet, Pair
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fully restored pair of Josef Hoffman Fledermaus chairs by Thonet. Newly reupholstered in full grain blue leather. Thought reupholstered, the underside has a part cut out to reveal ...
Leather, Bentwood
Original "Thonet" Office Chair
By Thonet
Located in Medina, OH
"Thonet" office arm chair in its original fabric. "Thonet" stamped under chair. It is in great condition and perfect to be added to an office!
Upholstery, Oak, Bentwood
$2,124
H 33.47 in W 22.25 in D 20.08 in
Antique Dutch Triangular Turned Bobbin Corner Chair Rush Seat Knitting Armchair
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Late 19th century bobbin turned wood armchair with rush seat, ca 1900 Manufactured in The Netherlands. Beautiful antique bobbin/ knitting chair with t...
Wicker, Wood
English Chippendale Oak Splat Back Outset Corner Chair, Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale oak corner chair with a carved molded centered edge, flanking carved splat backs, scrolled outset rounded arms, turned bulbous ringed columns and terminating on t...
Fabric, Oak, Upholstery
$2,025Sale Price|55% Off
H 33.5 in W 26.5 in D 26.5 in
18th Century Chippendale Corner Chair with Marquetry Inlay
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in Savannah, GA
This outstanding 18th century Chippendale walnut corner chair features intricate marquetry inlay in a delicate floral motif. Even the back of the top rail, splats and the back of the...
Walnut
$1,200
H 34 in W 22 in D 20 in
Viennese Secessionist Style Bentwood Swivel Purser Desk Chair att. to Thonet
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Early Vienna Secessionist bentwood swivel Pursers, desk, office chair, attributed to Thonet ( Model 3 ) circa 1900/1920's, unsigned. The chair swivels and is adjustable in height ( 2...
Beech
$710
H 28.75 in W 20.87 in D 22.05 in
Restored Art Deco Chair, by Thonet, Beech, Revived Polish, Czech, 1920s
By Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Art Deco chair comes from Czechoslovakia from the first half of the 20th century. It is made of solid beech wood and is marked Thonet. The chair has undergone careful r...
Beech, Wood, Lacquer
Antique Armchair No. 752 by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1920s
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Praha, CZ
This antique armchair, model no. 752, was designed in the 1920s by Josef Frank for Thonet and originates from Austria. It is made from beech and features an upholstery seat. This pie...
Upholstery, Beech, Bentwood
Beech Chairs by Adolf Loos for Thonet
By Adolf Loos
Located in Budapest, HU
These armchairs can be attributed to Adolf Loos, following the essay of Giovanni Renzi: Thonet uses the modern term only once in the 1904 catalog, on what ...
Leather, Beech
Fireside Chair, Adolf Loos for Thonet, Austria, 1930s
By Adolf Loos
Located in London, GB
A fireside chair with woven leather designed by Adolf Loos and Heinrich Kulka and manufactured by Thonet in Austria during the early 1930s. As one of the leading advocates of Modern...
Leather, Oak
Adolf Loos and Heinrich Kulka Walnut Armchair, circa 1931
By Adolf Loos
Located in Faversham, GB
A wonderful Adolf Loos and Heinrich Kulka fireside chair for Friedrich Otto Schmidt in walnut. The fireside or chimney chair is considered one of the mo...
Walnut, Leather
Very Rare Fireside Chair by Heinrich Kulka for Adolf Loos
By Adolf Loos
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Designed by Heinrich Kulka, Adolf Loos's closest co-worker. Manufactured either by Thonet or F.O. Schmidt c. 1931. Solid walnut with brown leather, in g...
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 28.35 in W 24.41 in D 23.63 in
Adolf Loos Armchair, Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Leather Brass Velvet, Austria, 1930
By Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Adolf Loos
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A gorgeous and extremely rare Adolf Loos armchair manufactured by Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Vienna, circa 1930. It is made of a solid walnut wood frame with a loose seat chusion cover...
Brass
Sold
H 34.26 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Pair of Adolf Loos Armchairs Chairs Cafe Capua Vienna, Thonet, 1913
By Thonet, Adolf Loos
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A pair of fantastic and extremely rare Adolf Loos armchairs manufactured by Thonet. Adolf Loos adopted this chair model inspired by 18th century Windsor chairs and used it for the Cafe Capua...
Beech, Bentwood
Sold
H 29.14 in W 28.75 in D 46.46 in
"Knieschwimmer" Armchair by Adolf Loos, Edition 1980, New Velvet Upholstery
By Adolf Loos
Located in Brussels, BE
"Knieschwimmer" armchair by Adolf Loos, re-edition 1980. New velvet upholstery.
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 29.93 in W 22.45 in D 22.45 in
Adolf Loos Corner Chairs, F.O. Schmidt, Velvet Wood, Jugendstil, 1898-1900, Pair
By Adolf Loos, Friedrich Otto Schmidt
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A pair of extremely rare corner armchairs designed by Adolf Loos (1870-1933) and manufactured by Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Vienna, Austria, circa 1900. The condition is very good. The...
Velvet, Wood