The Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann was a central figure in the evolution of modern design, and a leader in an aesthetic movement born in Europe in the late 19th century that rejected florid, extravagant ornamentation in favor of a new emphasis on simplicity of line.
As a founder of the Vienna Secession — a union of artists and designers determined to upend Austria’s artistic conservatism — and later, a founder of the turn-of-the-century Wiener Werkstätte (in English: the Viennese Workshops), a design cooperative that produced superbly crafted furniture and housewares, Hoffmann was a pioneering practitioner of what would become a fundamental principle of modernism: that good design is a way of life.
Hoffmann came of age amidst a shift in the culture of the applied arts, as a conservative order that looked only to the past for inspiration was pushed aside. But what, exactly, would replace that order was in question — and Hoffmann’s career embodies the developing patterns of design’s new spirit. His architectural work reflects his time as a student of the Vienna architect Otto Wagner, who disdained excessive decoration and employed new materials such as steel girders and reinforced concrete to create buildings with airy, open interiors full of light.
As a designer of furniture and interiors, Hoffmann was consistently open-minded about the aesthetics he explored. He was an early adherent of the flowing, organic forms of the Art Nouveau design movement that began to flourish in the late 1880s — but by the opening of the Wiener Werkstätte in 1903, Hoffmann’s designs embraced the beauty of geometry in pieces that feature grids and angular forms.
Hoffmann’s greatest works reflect his ability to combine seemingly conflicting design visions into coherent wholes. His architectural masterpiece, the Stoclet Palace in Brussels, has an exterior that groups together simple geometric forms and spacious interiors marked by subtly naturalistic design details that lend rooms an air of charm and geniality.
Hoffmann’s signature furniture design is an adjustable lounge chair — the Sitzmaschine (1905) — that marries a curving frame with square and rectangular back- and side rests. This piece, like so many others by Hoffmann, reflects a groundbreaking, forward-thinking appreciation for the union of different looks and sources that marks the best of interior design in our own day. Moreover, items offered on 1stDibs — which range from enameled silver jewelry, to silver flower vase baskets and other decorative objects, to sofas, lighting pendants and sconces — testify to the astonishing breadth of Hoffman’s creative pursuits. He was truly a giant of design.
Austrian All Original Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Armchairs, Wood of Walnut
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Era Art Nouveau, early 20th century modernist Wiener Werkstätte armchair by Josef Hoffmann. Solid walnut wood structure with original patina Measures cm: H 97/45, W 53, D 50 ...
Walnut
Set of four iconic cane bentwood chairs designed by Josef Hoffmann, model no. 81
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Houston, TX
Set of four iconic cane bentwood chairs designed by Josef Hoffmann, model no. 811, and produced by FMG, circa 1960s. These chairs are original and labeled, as shown in the photos. Cr...
Bentwood
Vienna Secession Sofa "Kubus" by Josef Hoffmann, manufactured by Wittmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a very rare leather 3-seater sofa "Kubus" in brown leather designed by Josef Hoffmann. This is a classic example of Hoffmann’s strict geometrical lines ...
Leather, Wood
2x Original Wittmann Kubus Sessel Josef Hoffmann Leder braun
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen von zwei wunderschönen Wittmann Kubus Sesseln in braunem Leder zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Josef Hoffmann und gilt heute als...
Leather
Josef Hoffmann Bowl, Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1915 - 1920
By Moser Glassworks, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in New York, NY
Josef Hoffmann cut and ground clear crystal bowl / vase made by Ludwig Moser & Söhne, Karlsbad for Wiener Werkstätte circa 1915 - 1920. Stamp signature to underside: [MOSER KARLSBAD ...
Glass
Elephant Desk Chair by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Elephant desk chair by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn professionally stained and repolished.
Bentwood
Vintage Bent Wood & Wicker Cafe Chairs by Josef Hoffman for Ligna
By Josef Hoffmann, Ligna
Located in Detroit, MI
This set of six vintage mid century Bentwood Prague Model 811 cafe dining chairs were made in Czechoslovakia by Ligna circa 1960 based on the original design by Austrian architects J...
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
Customizable Wittmann Kubus Leather Sofa by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
A Classic example of Hoffmann’s strict geometrical lines and the quadratic theme in his work is the Kubus armchair, designed in 1910 and handcrafted to ...
Leather
$2,600 / set
Fledermaus chairs no.423 by Josef Hoffmann
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Fledermaus chairs no.423 by Josef Hoffmann in original vintage condition with signs of use.
Beech, Bentwood
$1,418 / set
Two Chairs Thonet 811, Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished.
Bentwood
Pair of Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Upholstered Side Chairs Original Fabric
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Sharon, CT
Extremely rare pair of Wiener Werkstätte upholstered chairs. In the original Wiener Werkstatte fabric. All designed by Josef Hoffmann. Origina...
Wood
Classic Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann of Austria Fledermaus Lamp / End Table
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Buffalo, NY
This is a Secessionist 'Fledermaus' Table, initially designed by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann of Austria in 1905. This example dates to the 1960s / 70s . primarily constructed of dark...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Beehive Dining Chairs
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Josef Hoffmann beehive dining chairs professionally stained and repolished.
Bentwood
$28,366Sale Price|20% Off
Great Set of 14 Armchairs by Thonet, Austria Josef Hoffmann Design
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Rome, IT
Set of 14 armchairs by Thonet, Austria The chairs were a part of a set made on order for a Villa in Götzens, Tirol, Austria Designer: Josef Hoffmann Materials : Steamed bent beechwo...
Beech, Ebony
Antique Mission Josef Hoffmann Settee, Stickley Era - W5278 SALE SALE
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an antique Josef Hoffmann settee from the early 1900s in very good condition, with no repairs or replaced parts. Josef Hoffmann, an artist from Vienna, Austria, designed thes...
Leather, Cotton, Upholstery, Oak
Josef Hoffmann Chair for Jacob and Josef Kohn Furniture
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Josef Hoffmann Chair Model 725 circa 1903-1905. Rare variation with caned seat and back. Usually found with upholstered seat and back. Chair is sometimes said to be by Gustav Siegel ...
Cane, Beech
Set of four Nesting Tables by Josef Hoffmann, Vienna, 1904
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of four Nesting Tables by Josef Hoffmann, Vienna, 1904
Wood
$24,584Sale Price|20% Off
Great Set of 8 Armchairs by Thonet, Austria Josef Hoffmann Design
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Rome, IT
Set of eight armchairs by Thonet, Austria. The chairs were a part of a set made on order for a Villa in Götzens, Tirol, Austria Designer: Josef Hoffmann Materials : Steamed bent ...
Beech, Ebony
Viena secession brass side table by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Viena secession brass side table by Josef Hoffmann in very nice original condition.
Metal, Brass
Decorative silver-plated metal plate by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstatte Vie
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Silver-plated decorative plate by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte Vienna This is a distinctive silver-plated decorative plate from Wiener Werkstätte, designed by Josef Hoffmann....
Metal
$1,068Sale Price|52% Off
Rare Thonet Nr. 21 plant stand by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Rare modernist flower / plant stand designed by famous Viennese architect Josef Hoffmann. Manufactured by Thonet. Featured in 1906 catalogue. White lacquered bent beech. In very good...
Beech
Gilded Mirror by Josef Hoffmann, execution Max Welz for Wiener Werkstätte, 1930
By Josef Hoffmann, Max Welz
Located in Vienna, AT
In Josef Hoffmann's designs, foliage emerged as a central and recurring motif, wherein he masterfully encapsulated nature’s intricate ornamental language in a stylized and minimalist...
Gold Leaf
Very rare armchairs nr.813 /1F by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob Josef Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Very rare armchairs nr.813 /1F by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob Josef Kohn in very good original condition.
Beech, Bentwood
Customizable Wittmann Villa Gallia Sofa Chair by Josef Hoffmann
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
This suite was created in 1913 for the Gallia family’s apartment in Wohllebengasse, Vienna.
Fabric
Secession plant stand by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession plant stand by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Bentwood
$1,891 / set
Secession dining chairs N369A by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession dining chairs N369A by Josef Hoffmann in very nice original condition. Signed with importers lable.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
$2,831Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Four Oakwood Nesting Tables by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Very stylish set of four wooden tables that fit underneath each other. The tables were designed by Josef Hoffmann for Austrian maker Wittmann in the early 20th century. Most were l...
Oak
Sofa by Josef Hoffman for J & J Kohn, Vienna, Austria, 1900s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Brussels, BE
Sofa by Josef Hoffman for J & J Kohn, Vienna, Austria, 1900s
Fabric, Wood
Customizable Wittmann Haus Koller Sofa 200 by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
These upholstered items were created during the alterations to Koller’s house in Oberwaltersdorf carried out between 1912-1914. Wittmann has created sofas to match this design.
Leather, Fabric
Pair of Restored ArtDeco Armchairs, Wien. Werkstätte, J. Hoffmann, Austria 1900s
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant pair of Art Deco armchairs comes from Austria from the early 20th century. They are the work of architect Josef Hoffmann and were produced in Wiener Werkstätte. The armc...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer, Beech, Mahogany
Hoffmann Josef, Curved Beech Armchair, circa 1900
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Hoffmann Josef, curved beech armchair, circa 1900. Need to be restorated. Fabric to change. No lack but some damage on the wood seat 4 available.
Beech
Hoffmann Josef, Curved Beech Armchair, circa 1900
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Hoffmann Josef, curved beech armchair, circa 1900. Need to be restorated. Fabric to change. No lack but some damage in bending wood 2 available.
Beech
Hoffmann Josef, Curved Beech Armchair, circa 1900
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Hoffmann Josef, curved beech armchair, circa 1900. Base and back covered with black leather.
Beech
Box Josef Hoffmann Copper Ceramics Figurine Klieber Wiener Werkstaette
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest as well as rare lidded box made during Art Nouveau Period on behalf of Wiener Werkstaette. Related box is signed at reverse side by signet of Josef Hoffmann & by characters '...
Copper