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Josef Hoffmann Vases

Austrian, 1870-1956

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.

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Creator: Josef Hoffmann
Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Wall Light, Re-Edition
Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Wall Light, Re-Edition

Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Wall Light, Re-Edition

By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps

Located in Vienna, AT

Wall-lamp with mirror and flower-vase from the dining-room of the Purkersdorf Sanatorium, Lit.: Deutsche Kunst und Dekoration, 1906/VII, S. 432 f. (two views from the dingin room San...

Category

2010s Austrian Jugendstil Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Brass

"Skyscraper Vase" by Josef Hoffmann, Bieffeplast Production, Wiener Werkstätt
"Skyscraper Vase" by Josef Hoffmann, Bieffeplast Production, Wiener Werkstätt

"Skyscraper Vase" by Josef Hoffmann, Bieffeplast Production, Wiener Werkstätt

By Bieffeplast, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Argelato, BO

This flower vase, designed by Josef Hoffmann around 1905 for the Wiener Werkstätte, evokes the shape of a modernist skyscraper. The reissue is produced by Bieffeplast in Italy (80s),...

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Metal

Josef Hoffmann Brass Chalice
Josef Hoffmann Brass Chalice

Josef Hoffmann Brass Chalice

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in New York, NY

Josef Hoffmann’s fluted brass chalice was based on the elegant form of the Doric column, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek architecture to convey a sense of timeless order and p...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Brass

Josef Hoffmann Pair of Hammered Silver Vases
Josef Hoffmann Pair of Hammered Silver Vases

Josef Hoffmann Pair of Hammered Silver Vases

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in New York, NY

Hoffmann encountered an abundance of classical forms during his studies in Rome in 1896, which influenced his designs. The vases reference both the elegant form of a folding fan and ...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Modern Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Silver

Rare Silver Vase with Glass Insert by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte
Rare Silver Vase with Glass Insert by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte

Rare Silver Vase with Glass Insert by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte

By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Wiener Werkstatte silver reticulated flower basket with original glass insert in a very rare model made with silver. Designed by Josef Hoffmann (Austrian, 1870-1956), Vienna, circa...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Silver

Josef Hoffmann Vase, Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1915 - 1920
Josef Hoffmann Vase, Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1915 - 1920

Josef Hoffmann Vase, Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1915 - 1920

By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Moser Glassworks

Located in New York, NY

Josef Hoffmann cut and ground clear crystal vase made by Ludwig Moser & Söhne, Karlsbad for Wiener Werkstätte circa 1915 - 1920. Stamp signature to underside: [MOSER KARLSBAD WW CZEC...

Category

20th Century Austrian Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Glass

Josef Hoffmann Bowl, Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1915 - 1920
Josef Hoffmann Bowl, Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1915 - 1920

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 ...

Category

20th Century Austrian Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Glass

Hammered Brass Fluted Vase by Josef Hoffmann, Austria, c. 1920s
Hammered Brass Fluted Vase by Josef Hoffmann, Austria, c. 1920s

Hammered Brass Fluted Vase by Josef Hoffmann, Austria, c. 1920s

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in San Francisco, CA

A hand-hammered brass vase with dramatic vertical fluting and flared rim. Marked "WIENER WERK STÄTTE" with JH monogram and WW mark.

Category

1920s Austrian Modern Vintage Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Brass

Related Items
1920s Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstatte Silver Footed Bowl
1920s Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstatte Silver Footed Bowl

1920s Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstatte Silver Footed Bowl

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in Brooklyn, NY

1920s. Silver footed bowl by famed designer Josef Hoffman and Wiener Werkstatte. Hoffman is a prolific designer who helped to cement the design of the Secessionist era. Werkstatte wa...

Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Silver

Otto Wagner Jugendstil "Viennese Tramway" Wall or Ceiling Light, ONE Available
Otto Wagner Jugendstil "Viennese Tramway" Wall or Ceiling Light, ONE Available

Otto Wagner Jugendstil "Viennese Tramway" Wall or Ceiling Light, ONE Available

By Otto Wagner

Located in North Miami, FL

These small sized lights have been rewired for USA. Wall or ceiling light with opaline glass, pictured in brass, designed for the Viennese trams. We are selling them individually in ...

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Brass

Josef Hoffmann Black Gitterwerk Waste Basket or Umbrella Stand for Bieffeplast
Josef Hoffmann Black Gitterwerk Waste Basket or Umbrella Stand for Bieffeplast

Josef Hoffmann Black Gitterwerk Waste Basket or Umbrella Stand for Bieffeplast

By Bieffeplast, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Troy, MI

Josef Hoffmann hexagonal wastebasket or umbrella stand Originally designed in 1905, edition Bieffeplast circa 1980s Gitterwerk structure in black perforated steel with original lab...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Vienna Secession Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Metal, Steel

Art Deco Glass Vase attr. to Josef Hoffman for Moser, 1930s
Art Deco Glass Vase attr. to Josef Hoffman for Moser, 1930s

Art Deco Glass Vase attr. to Josef Hoffman for Moser, 1930s

By Josef Hoffmann, Moser Glassworks

Located in Roma, IT

Art Deco Glass Vase attr. to Josef Hoffman for Moser. Realized in Austria in 1930s.

Category

1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Art Glass

Large Art Deco Art Glass Faceted Vase in the Style of Josef Hoffmann
Large Art Deco Art Glass Faceted Vase in the Style of Josef Hoffmann

Large Art Deco Art Glass Faceted Vase in the Style of Josef Hoffmann

By Josef Hoffmann, Moser Glassworks

Located in San Diego, CA

This striking Art Deco glass vase is executed in a refined smoked gray (grey) tone and features a bold faceted, architectural form closely associated with early 20th-century Central ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Glass

Chalice Vase by Ettore Sottsass
Chalice Vase by Ettore Sottsass

Chalice Vase by Ettore Sottsass

$1,085 / item

H 18.51 in Dm 7.88 in

Chalice Vase by Ettore Sottsass

By Bitossi, Ettore Sottsass

Located in Milan, IT

This elegant vase was designed by famous Italian architect Ettore Sottsass in 1962. It is in white clay and its geometric shape with a white finish is adorned with a series of parall...

Category

2010s Italian Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte Brass Repoussé Bowl
Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte Brass Repoussé Bowl

Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte Brass Repoussé Bowl

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in New York, NY

A jewel-like work of metalcraft by Josef Hoffmann, this footed brass bowl (model M sh 18), designed for the Wiener Werkstätte around 1925, brings tog...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Brass

1920 Sgraffito Vase by Josef Ekberg
1920 Sgraffito Vase by Josef Ekberg

1920 Sgraffito Vase by Josef Ekberg

$1,800

H 11 in W 4.3 in D 4.3 in

1920 Sgraffito Vase by Josef Ekberg

By Josef Ekberg

Located in New York, NY

Sgraffito vase from 1920 by Josef Ekberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden. Flower motif in Swedish Jugend (or Art Nouveau) style decorates the vase in blue shades. Designer signature with the...

Category

1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Large Ceiling Lamp by Josef Hoffmann for J. T. Kalmar, 1960s
Large Ceiling Lamp by Josef Hoffmann for J. T. Kalmar, 1960s

Large Ceiling Lamp by Josef Hoffmann for J. T. Kalmar, 1960s

$1,375Sale Price|20% Off

H 7.88 in Dm 23.63 in

Large Ceiling Lamp by Josef Hoffmann for J. T. Kalmar, 1960s

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in Purkersdorf, AT

Very large ceiling lamp – designed by Josef Hoffmann in 1905 for the Villa Steiner in Vienna. Manufactured by Kalmar in the 1960s. Perfect solid brass work with typical Kalmar mounti...

Category

1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Brass

Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1960s
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1960s

Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1960s

By Josef Frank

Located in High Point, NC

A brass and white fabric wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1960s. Very light oxidation to arm and socket. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 9” ...

Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Brass

Gabriella Crespi Signed Brass Chalices Cups 1970 Midcentury Italian
Gabriella Crespi Signed Brass Chalices Cups 1970 Midcentury Italian

Gabriella Crespi Signed Brass Chalices Cups 1970 Midcentury Italian

Located in New York, NY

Gabriella Crespi signed brass chalices 1970 midcentury Italian Dimensions: 3.5 in diameter, 7 in height, base 3 in. About Gabriella Crespi (Designer) Bronze discs that open up like clamshells for storage and fold back in to become side tables. Sleek cubes barely suspended off the ground that transform into full-size dining tables. Clean-lined boxes that contain multilevel shelving. Looking at the work of Italian designer Gabriella Crespi, born in 1922 and still producing furniture in her Milan studio, it’s hard to believe that many of these highly functional pieces — modernist Rubik’s Cubes of materials, colors and ergonomics — were created decades ago. Among her best-known creations, the bronze Ellisse table, 1976, and her bronze-and-lacquer Yang-Yin bar, 1979, encapsulate a designer who had a strong dualism in her vision, mixing humble and precious materials, for instance, or creating geometric shapes that were softened by sensual surfaces. Crespi began studying architecture in 1944 at the Politecnico, in Milan, where she was among just a handful of women, and became profoundly influenced by the work of Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright. After getting married and having children, she launched her own collections, from jewelry to furniture, and soon gained a loyal following, with design houses such as Maison Dior snapping pieces up for their own lines. She began work on her most iconic collection, “Plurimi,” in the late 1960s, and the series — including her Dama table...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Brass

Previously Available Items
Vase Josef Hoffmann Loetz Kristall Blasenglas ca. 1914 Flowers Enamel Color
Vase Josef Hoffmann Loetz Kristall Blasenglas ca. 1914 Flowers Enamel Color

Vase Josef Hoffmann Loetz Kristall Blasenglas ca. 1914 Flowers Enamel Color

By Loetz Glass, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Klosterneuburg, AT

Vase, Josef Hoffmann, Johann Loetz Witwe, Kristall Blasenglas, 435 decoration, 1914 Josef Hoffmann probably designed the decoration of this beautiful vase for the exhibition of the ...

Category

1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Vase with etched Decoration Josef Hoffmann Loetz ca. 1911 Jugendstil Black White
Vase with etched Decoration Josef Hoffmann Loetz ca. 1911 Jugendstil Black White

Vase with etched Decoration Josef Hoffmann Loetz ca. 1911 Jugendstil Black White

By Loetz Glass, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Klosterneuburg, AT

vase, Josef Hoffmann, Johann Loetz Witwe, Weiss Opal außen Schwarz decoration, glass, mould-blown, etched, ca. 1911 Hoffmann's vase designs from the 1910s are characterized above al...

Category

1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Brass

Soliflore Vase by Josef Hoffman, Ed. Bieffeplast, 1980s
Soliflore Vase by Josef Hoffman, Ed. Bieffeplast, 1980s

Soliflore Vase by Josef Hoffman, Ed. Bieffeplast, 1980s

By Josef Hoffmann, Bieffeplast

Located in Brussels, BE

The present vase is originally created by Josef Hoffman, the most famous designer of the Wiener Werkstatte. In the 1980s, the Italian design editor Bieffeplast decided to revive some...

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Metal

Vase etched Josef Hoffmann Loetz Orange ca. 1911 Vienna Jugendstil
Vase etched Josef Hoffmann Loetz Orange ca. 1911 Vienna Jugendstil

Vase etched Josef Hoffmann Loetz Orange ca. 1911 Vienna Jugendstil

By Josef Hoffmann, Loetz Glass

Located in Klosterneuburg, AT

Cylindrical glass vase with etched decoration. The vase was designed by Josef Hoffmann, co-founder of the Vienna Secession and the Wiener Werkstatte. The vase was produced by the Boh...

Category

1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Metal, Brass

Josef Hoffmann, Stem Metal Vase, Bieffeplast Production, Wiener Werkstätt
Josef Hoffmann, Stem Metal Vase, Bieffeplast Production, Wiener Werkstätt

Josef Hoffmann, Stem Metal Vase, Bieffeplast Production, Wiener Werkstätt

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in Buffalo, NY

Josef Hoffmann, Flower vase in metal and glass. This iconic flowers vase, originally designed in the early 1900s, this specimen was reissued by the Bieffeplast company in the 1980s ...

Category

1980s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Metal

Josef Hoffmann, Stem Metal Vase, Bieffeplast Production, Wiener Werkstätt
Josef Hoffmann, Stem Metal Vase, Bieffeplast Production, Wiener Werkstätt

Josef Hoffmann, Stem Metal Vase, Bieffeplast Production, Wiener Werkstätt

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in Argelato, BO

Josef Hoffmann, Flower vase in metal and glass. This iconic flowers vase, originally designed in the early 1900s, this specimen was reissued by the Bieffeplast company in the 1980...

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Metal

Faceted Vase by Moser in Citrine Crystal
Faceted Vase by Moser in Citrine Crystal

Faceted Vase by Moser in Citrine Crystal

By Josef Hoffmann, Moser

Located in Kilmarnock, VA

Wonderful citrine vase which also has some smokey amber highlights vase by Josef Hoffmann for Moser. I've had different versions of this vase over the years but never seen this versi...

Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Crystal

Large Vintage Josef Hoffmann Design Crystal Vase
Large Vintage Josef Hoffmann Design Crystal Vase

Large Vintage Josef Hoffmann Design Crystal Vase

Sold

H 9.75 in W 5.25 in D 0.1 in

Large Vintage Josef Hoffmann Design Crystal Vase

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in Van Nuys, CA

A lovely Classic solid cut crystal vase circa 1950s. 9 3/4" tall x 5 1/4" wide at the mouth x 1/2" thick. This is a beauty in mint vintage condition with no chips, no cracks, n...

Category

1930s American Vintage Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Art Glass

Large Art Deco Art Glass Faceted Vase by Josef Hoffmann for Moser Glassworks
Large Art Deco Art Glass Faceted Vase by Josef Hoffmann for Moser Glassworks

Large Art Deco Art Glass Faceted Vase by Josef Hoffmann for Moser Glassworks

By Josef Hoffmann, Moser Glassworks

Located in San Diego, CA

Large Art Deco amber colored art glass faceted vase by Josef Hoffmann for Moser Glassworks, circa 1930s. The piece is in very good vintage condition w...

Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Glass

Josef Hoffmann a “Flower Basket”, Wiener Werkstätte, 1906
Josef Hoffmann a “Flower Basket”, Wiener Werkstätte, 1906

Josef Hoffmann a “Flower Basket”, Wiener Werkstätte, 1906

By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte

Located in Brussels, BE

Josef Hoffmann a “flower basket”, Wiener Werkstätte, 1906 cf MAK, Vienna, Wiener Werkstätte Archive, WWF 132–53–1, model number: M 0552. In 1892, Hoffmann applied to Vienna’s A...

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Metal

White Lacquered Metal Vase by Josef Hoffmann for Bieffeplast, Italy 1980
White Lacquered Metal Vase by Josef Hoffmann for Bieffeplast, Italy 1980

White Lacquered Metal Vase by Josef Hoffmann for Bieffeplast, Italy 1980

By Bieffeplast, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Brussels, BE

The present vase is part of the collection that was revived in the 1980s by the Italian company Bieffeplast. The original designer was Josef Hoffmannn who designed the pieces around ...

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Josef Hoffmann Vases

Materials

Metal

Josef Hoffmann vases for sale on 1stDibs.

Josef Hoffmann vases are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of glass and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Josef Hoffmann vases, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 9 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original vases by Josef Hoffmann were created in the Art Nouveau style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider vases by Eduard Stellmacher, Amphora Austria Manufactory, and Gustav Gurschner. Prices for Josef Hoffmann vases can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $723 and can go as high as $20,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,669.
Questions About Josef Hoffmann Vases
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024
    Josef Hoffmann invented the Sitzmaschine, an adjustable lounge chair that the Austrian designer unveiled in 1905. Literally called a “machine for sitting,” it was originally created for a sanatorium in Purkersdorf, near Vienna. It has a curving frame with square and rectangular back and side rests. Like so many other designs by Hoffmann, this piece reflects a forward-thinking appreciation for the union of different sources, here the Arts and Crafts movement and modern design. Find a collection of Josef Hoffmann furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.