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 for Knize Taylorshop, Coathook Re-Edition by Woka Lamps Vienna
By Woka Lamps, Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
Designed for the Knize Taylor-shop in Vienna, Paris and Berlin. A three-hole, or a four-hole version is avaliable.
Brass
Adolf Loos: cloakroom bar
By Adolf Loos
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
Wall coat rack with 3 hooks made of brass and solid oak, designed by Adolf Loos. The wardrobe was made around 1910. Nice old patina
Brass
$534Sale Price|40% Off
Adolf Loos Art Nouveau Brass Wall Hook, Werkstätte Hagenauer, Austria, 1910
By Adolf Loos, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Art Nouveau brass wall hook, designed by Adolf Loos, executed by Werkstaette Hagenauer, Vienna, 1910. In very good condition.
Brass
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH MOS Bookcase in Wood with Brass Feet
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Adolf Loos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
MOS is the family of storage units designed by GamFratesi with console, bookcase and side table, which can also be used as a bedside table, that incorporates the style of the bench o...
Wood
Adolf Loos: coat rack
By Adolf Loos
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
Wall coat rack with 3 hooks made of nickel-plated brass (old patina, can be polished) and solid oak wood, designed by Adolf Loos. The wardrobe was made around 1910. Nice old patina
Brass, Nickel
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH NYNY Bookcase with Lacquered Wood and Brass Frame
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Adolf Loos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Distinctively asserting its modernity, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna has adopted its archetypes, bent-wood and woven cane, to design NYNY, a piece of furniture with a strong emotional dimen...
Wood
Sold|$4,780
H 27.96 in W 31.5 in D 9.85 in
Set of Swedish Grace Bookcases in Elm & Birchwood with Fluted Feet, 1930s
By Otto Schulz
Located in Odense, DK
A refined pair of Swedish Modern bookcases in the style of Otto Schulz dating from the 1930s–1940s, crafted in warm-toned elm and birchwood. Their restrained architectural form is el...
Birch, Elm
1970s Italian Bamboo Coat Rack
Located in Cantù, IT
Made of bamboo, it is a Classic piece, ideal for Minimalist lovers. Easily movable thanks to the wheels. Private collection Di Domenico Rugiano
Bamboo
Bar Cabinet with Wood Inlays, Italy, 1950s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Bar cabinet, Italy, 1950s Walnut veneer with two inlays of different woods with traditional figures, inside mirror with lighting. Crystal glass with coloured paper applied to the...
Brass
Pair of Modern Black Bookcases in Solid Wood
Located in North York, ON
Pair of modern black bookcases in solid wood. Finished in a satin black finish with sleek modern styling. Sold in a pair, 4 total available. P...
Wood
$2,458Sale Price|28% Off
H 71.26 in W 47.25 in D 9.06 in
Giò Ponti in the Manner Italian Midcentury Coat Racks 50's
By Gio Ponti
Located in bari, IT
Walnut wood structure coat rack with brass table anchored to the structure, embellished with brass circles creating harmony in the wooden panel. Crystal hood with brass anchors. 1950...
Brass
$1,600
H 10 in W 25 in D 10.5 in
1900s Thonet Vienna Art Nouveau Secessionist Bentwood Wall Coat Rack, Austria
By August Thonet, Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful, original, and authentic Art Nouveau (Jugendstil / Secession) wall-mounted coat and hat rack, dating from around 1900 and produced by Gebrüder Thonet, Vienna, Austria. Th...
Wood, Bentwood
$1,707
H 14.18 in W 24.81 in D 5.12 in
19th Century Alpine Sculptural Antler Wall Coat Rack, circa 1890
Located in Hannover, DE
An exceptional late 19th-century Alpine wall-mounted coat rack, masterfully composed from naturally shed antlers and a beautifully worked wooden backboard, dating to circa 1890. Wha...
Iron
Brass Coat Wall Hooks by Hertha Baller
By Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Two beautiful Austrian brass hooks by manufactured by Hertha Baller in Austria in the 1950s.
Brass
$2,139
H 81.89 in W 17.33 in D 47.25 in
Armoire à glace deux portes – Art Nouveau – Chêne massif – Miroirs biseautés
Located in NAVILLY, FR
Armoire à deux portes en chêne massif d'époque Art Nouveau, circa 1900-1910. Les deux portes présentent en partie supérieure de grands miroirs biseautés encadrés de montants à pil...
Oak
$330
H 7 in W 3.5 in D 4 in
Walter Bosse Cat Zoo Brass Animal Wall Hook by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely Austrian modernist animal zoo coat wall hook, displaying a cat, our favourite hook. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller, Vienna / Austria in the 19...
Brass
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 43 in W 18 in D 12.5 in
Thonet Vienna Art Deco Bentwood Clothing Valet / Dressing Stand, Austria, 1920s
By Michael Thonet, Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
An elegant Art Deco gentleman’s valet or dressing stand from the 1920s, designed and crafted by Gebrüder Thonet Vienna in Austria. This piece is made of bentwood beech in a beautiful...
Wood, Beech, Bentwood
Art Nouveau Wardrobe
Located in Porto, PT
Art Nouveau wardrobe. Circa 1900 in mahogany and bird's eye wood; three doors with beveled mirrors; base with large drawer and four drawers. Decorated with plant motifs. Dimensions: ...
Wood
$3,900
H 49 in W 27.5 in D 3.5 in
Carl Aubock Wall Coat Rack with 5 Brass Hooks, Walnut, Iron, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A Minimalist Mid Century modern wall-mounted coat rack, equipped with five „5“-shaped polished solid brass wall hooks. This is an early model from the early 1950s, designed and execu...
Iron
$705
H 78.75 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in Dm 23.63 in
Standing Coat Rack – Art Deco Style – Solid Beech – 1940s
Located in NAVILLY, FR
Standing coat rack-wardrobe in solid stained beech, Art Deco style, circa 1940, bearing the French manufacturer's stamp « STELLA – Registered Mark and Model ». Central shaft with ...
Beech
$2,560 / item
H 74.02 in W 53.94 in D 17.33 in
1970s Golden Brass Garment Rack, Clothing Stand Rail, Dress Hanger, Italy
By Milo Baughman, Romeo Rega, Maison Baguès, Maison Jansen
Located in Carimate, Como
Vintage 1970s Italian stylish and polished shiny brass hanger stand, with Classic carved column and decorated top finals, standing on 4 brass covered wheels. A great piece that perfe...
Brass
Jugendstil Brass Vintage Wall Hooks by Adolf Loos, Vienna, 1916
By Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
These five wall hooks were designed by Adolf Loos and executed in Vienna, 1916. The wall hooks were used for the coatracks at the Viennese Cafe Capua. You can fix these hooks on the...
Brass
Art Nouveau Brass Wall Hook by Adolf Loos for Knize, Austria, 1909
By Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Art Nouveau brass coat hook, designed in 1909 by Adolf Loos for the Viennese Tailor Knize & Comp. In very good condition with marginal patina. We offer more identical hoo...
Brass
Sold
H 8 in W 2 in D 4.5 in
Adolf Loos Art Nouveau Brass Wall Hook, Werkstätte Hagenauer, Austria, 1910
By Adolf Loos, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Art Nouveau brass wall hook, designed by Adolf Loos, executed by Werkstaette Hagenauer, Vienna, 1910. In very good condition.
Sold
H 8 in W 2 in D 5 in
Adolf Loos Art Nouveau Brass Wall Coat Hook, Werkstätte Hagenauer, Austria, 1910
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Art Nouveau brass wall coat hook designed by Adolf Loos, executed by Werkstätte Hagenauer, Vienna, 1910. In good condition with charming patina.
Brass
Up to Six Wall Hooks by Adolf Loos for Knize, Brass, Austria, 1909
By Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
Up to six beautiful Art Nouveau brass coat hooks, designed in 1909 by Adolf Loos for the Viennese Tailor Knize & Comp. In good condition with nice patina. Sold and priced per piece.
Brass