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.
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
Brass Tray Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstatte Austrian Jugendstil circa 1915
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Brass tray Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstatte ca. 1915 marked Austrian Jugendstil Josef Hoffmann was one of the leading designers of the Wiener Werkstatte...
Brass
Art Deco Center or Breakfast Table by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann with onyx top
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a “Cabinett” salon table, designed by Josef Hoffmann for the apartment of Dr. Johannes Salzer in Vienna, c. 1902. The table was later on reintroduced to...
Onyx
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
Bentwood plant stand no.9521 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bentwood plant stand no.9521 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
Viena secession brass side table by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Viena secession brass side table by Josef Hoffmann in very nice original condition.
Metal, Brass
$28,406Sale 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
Secession plant stand by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession plant stand by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Bentwood
Jugendstil Beech Thonet Shoe Stool by Josef Hoffmann, circa 1907, Vienna
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Jugenstil vintage stool from beech bentwood by Josef Hoffmann designed circa 1907 and executed by Gebr. Thonet Vienna. A fantastic stool for shoe lovers b...
Bentwood
Pair of Art Nouveau Polished Silver Bowls by J. Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in North Miami, FL
Pair of Art Nouveau polished silver bowls by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte By: Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte Material: silver, silverplate, metal Technique: embossed, pla...
Silver, Silver Plate, Metal
$1,893 / set
Secession dining chairs N369A by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession dining chairs N369A by Josef Hoffmann in very nice original condition. Signed with importers lable.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Customizable Wittmann Kubus Leather Sofa by Josef Hoffmann
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
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
Set of 4 Black Bentwood Dining Armchairs designed by Josef Hoffmann for Mundus
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find rare vintage dining chairs designed by Josef Hoffmann for Mundus - Model Prague. Chairs are done in black painted beech bentwood and upholstered in blac...
Fabric, Beech
Very rare armchairs nr.813 /1F by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob Josef Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Very rare armchairs nr.813 /1F by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob Josef Kohn in original vintage condition.
Beech, Bentwood
Elephant Desk Chair by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Elephant desk chair by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn professionally stained and repolished.
Bentwood
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
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
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
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. Base and back covered with black leather.
Beech
$2,835Sale 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