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.
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
Documented Josef Hoffmann Silver Brooch Austrian Jugendstil Embossed Leaves 1912
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Silver Brooch Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Austrian Jugendstil Embossed Leaves 1912 Josef Hoffmann, a member of the Vienna Secession, was both the co-founder and one of the mo...
Silver
Bentwood plant stand no.9521 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bentwood plant stand no.9521 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, 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
Prague Chairs by Josef Hoffmann & Frank in Bentwood and Cane, Set of Six, 1930s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in London, GB
Set of six beech and rattan Prague chairs, designed by Josef Hoffmann and Josef Frank for Thonet in the 1930s.
Rattan, Beech
stool model Fledermaus Josef Hoffmann and Gustav Siegel J. & J. Kohn ca. 1908
By Gustav Siegel, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
stool, model Fledermaus, designed by Josef Hoffmann and Gustav Siegel, executed by J. & J. Kohn, ca. 1908 material and technique: beech, bent and stained; new upholstery (fabric: "A...
Fabric, 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
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
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
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
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
Very rare armchairs nr.813 /1F by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob Josef Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
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
Oval Table Nr.960/2 by Josef Hoffmann for J.J.Kohn €1.300, 00 Calculate Shipping
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Oval table nr.960/2 by Josef Hoffmann for J.J.Kohn. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech
$8,200 / item
One or Six Armchairs Designed by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine find! These barrel armchairs model No. 729/2F, designed by Joseph Hoffmann, circa 1906. The simplicity of this chair design: is made up of a U-shaped horizontal rail that form...
Upholstery, 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
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
Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Chairs by Wittmann, Set of 8
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Originally designed between 1905 and 1907 for Vienna's avant-garde Cabaret Fledermaus, the chair bridges the ornamental language of Art Nouveau with the geometric restraint of early ...
Beech