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.
Rare Pair of Vienna Secession Modern Chairs by Adolf Loos
By Adolf Loos
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer is a rare original paired Fan-Back Chairs designed by Adolf Loos (1870-1933) circa 1908-20s. As part of the Vienna Secession movement, these chairs display modern silouette ...
Fabric, Wood
Original and Documented Jugendstil Adolf Loos Chair, 20th Century, 1907
By Woka Lamps, Adolf Loos, Friedrich Otto Schmidt
Located in Vienna, AT
Chair from the antechamber of the Rudolf Kraus apartment, brother of Karl Kraus, the famous wordsmith. This Apartment in Vienna 1, Nibelungengasse 13, was presented by Adolf Loos on ...
Beech
$6,900
H 31.5 in W 20.48 in D 22.45 in
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
$950 / set
H 35.5 in W 20 in D 18 in
Three Early 20th Century French Walnut Carved Side Chairs, circa 1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
Three early 20th century French walnut carved side chairs, circa 1900 Classic French walnut side chairs. Each chair is carved from solid waln...
Walnut
Organic Wabi-Sabi Chair, France, 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
French rustic folk art wooden chair, embodying the essence of wabi-sabi philosophy. Crafted with meticulous artistry, this piece is a unique expression of organic beauty, boasting re...
Wood
$1,260Sale Price|40% Off
H 55.12 in W 17.33 in D 18.12 in
Rare Early 20th Century Dentist Chair, ca 1930s
Located in Uppsala, SE
Rare early 20th century dentist / medical chair made in white painted wood with dark green leather upholstered seat and neck rest. The neck rest is height adjustable so it would accommodate both adults and children when in use. The seat also has a very modernist pattern made with upholsterers decor nails similar to that of German/Swedish designer Otto Schulz and what he used on his cabinets. The high back style of chair is also very much associated with the grand father of Scottish design Charles Rennie...
Wood
19th Century Single Chair in Black and Yellow
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
19th century single chair in black and yellow.
Satin, Wood
Chair Foldable India Brown Carved, 20th Century, India
Located in New York, NY
Chair foldable India brown carved, 20th century, India. A foldable chair made during the early 20th century in India. Carved frame decorated with elephants, birds and leaves.
Wood
$800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 35 in W 16 in D 19.5 in
Pair of J. and J. Kohn Austrian Bentwood and Cane Chairs
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare pair of Austrian Viennese bentwood chairs produced by J. and J. John. handcrafted beechwood frames featuring a round handwoven cane seat. Supported by four round legs conjoined by a round stretcher. Each seat is stamped JJ Kohn Austria...
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
wonderful vienna secession patio chairs
By Koloman Moser
Located in Munich, DE
amazing patio or garden chairs from vienna. showing the clear lines of vienna secession. i can ship in 2 boxes with dhl .
Iron
$979Sale Price|20% Off
H 36.62 in W 22.05 in D 18.02 in
Vintage 20th Century Salon Chair in Antique French Taste, Giltwood, circa 1970
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage 20th century salon chair in the antique French taste, giltwood dating to circa 1970. Attractive and comfortable salon c...
Giltwood
$1,295
H 45 in W 20.25 in D 19.25 in
Italian Fan-Backed Chair of Rattan and Bamboo from the Mid-20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine vintage Italian fan-backed chair from the Mid-20th century of woven rattan and bamboo featuring a stylish design to the back, seat, and legs. Two a...
Bamboo, Natural Fiber, Wood, Rattan, Cane
$560Sale Price|20% Off
H 32.29 in W 17.72 in D 21.26 in
20th-Century Walnut Folding Chair Upholstered With Dark-Green Leather
Located in Opole, PL
20th-Century Walnut Folding Chair Upholstered With Dark-Green Leather We present you a folding walnut chair from the 1st half of the 20th centur...
Leather, Walnut
$1,580Sale Price / set|29% Off
H 36 in W 22 in D 24 in
Pair of Queen Anne Style Mahogany Side Chairs, Early 20th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of beautifully hand crafted (bench-made) Queen Anne style mahogany side chairs. Covered in muslin fabric and ready for upholstery. These chairs are in excellent condition, stu...
Mahogany