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.
JOSEF HOFFMANN Austria 1920 Deco Fluted Amphora Vase With Handles In 900 Silver
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Miami, FL
A fluted decorative amphora vase designed by Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956). This is an exceptional and exceedingly rare Austrian Art Deco cabinet amphora vase, designed by Josef Hoffma...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Josef Hoffmann Bowl, Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1915 - 1920
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Moser Glassworks
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
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 ...
Silver
Secessionist Vase by Josef Hoffmann (1870 – 1956) for the Wiener Werkstätte
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in London, GB
Wiener Werkstätte Flower Vase More photos to follow. Secessionist flower vase by Josef Hoffmann (1870 – 1956) for the Wiener Werkstätte. Sheet painted iron with scarce original gl...
Iron
$12,500
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...
Brass
Rare Silver Vase with Glass Insert by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
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...
Silver
Josef Hoffmann Vase, Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1915 - 1920
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, 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...
Glass
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.
Brass
Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Wall Light, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
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...
Brass
Pair of Wiener Werkstatte Brass Bowls by Dagobert Peche
By Dagobert Peche, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of brass bowl in stepped concentric form designed by Dagobert Peche (Austrian, 1887-1923) and for Wiener Werkstatte circa 1910s-1920s. In the iconic style of Vienna Secession,...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Vase, Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1915 - 1920
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, 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...
Glass
1920s Josef Hoffmann for Weiner Wersktatte 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...
Silver
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.
Brass
Lidded Box by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte, 1920s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
Lidded cigarette tin – handmade. Designed by Josef Hoffmann for the Wiener Werkstätte – no markings (see photo for a comparable object with a signature) – also documented in the MAK ...
Fruitwood
Antique Handcrafted Earthenware Amphora Vase with Looped Handles
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This remarkable antique amphora embodies the enduring artistry of traditional pottery, offering not just a vessel, but a tangible connection to the rhythms of ancient life. Hand-shap...
Earthenware
Josef Hoffmann Hammered Silver Covered Bowl
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
Hoffmann’s covered bowl is a striking synthesis of Egyptian, Chinese, and medieval European design. Its lid, with a rounded conical profile and cabochon malachite finial, draws inspiration from Qing dynasty mandarin hats...
Silver
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...
Brass
$21,146
H 27.96 in W 33.47 in D 9.85 in
Original Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstatte Vienna Secessonist Flower Stand
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A typical work from the early period of the Wiener Werkstatte. Punched iron sheet, white lacquered. See similar items - Wiener Werkstatte pattern books as displayed. No signature.
Metal
Large Art Deco Art Glass Faceted Vase in the Style of Josef Hoffmann
By Moser Glassworks, Josef Hoffmann
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 ...
Glass
$5,500
H 10 in W 4 in D 5 in
Silver "Glitterwerk" Flowerbasket by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Extremely rare silver plated flower basket from the Vienna Secession movement designed by Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956), circa 1906. Produced in Austria by the Wiener Werkstatte (Vienn...
Silver
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
H 9 in Dm 3.75 in
Secessionist Vase, Ruddy Pink with Wiener Werkstatte-Influenced Glyphs
By Wittenberg Pottery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Clearly showing the influences of the Vienna Secession and the Wiener Werkstatte, at a time when Vienna led the Germanic world's interpretation of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, this cyli...
Ceramic
Josef Hoffmann Hammered Silver Centerpiece and Pair of Vases
By Julius Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
Hoffmann encountered an abundance of classical forms during his studies in Rome in 1896, which influenced his designs. Hoffman’s vases and centerpiece mer...
Silver
$2,217
H 2.56 in W 7.09 in D 5.32 in
Wiener Werkstaette Art Ceramics Expressive Style Bowl by Vally Wieselthier, 1921
By Wiener Werkstätte, Vally Wieselthier
Located in Vienna, AT
Bowl on an oval ground plan with flared, wavy and curved walls on four swept-out feet, fruit and leaf decoration in relief on the bowl base and on the outside, colored glazed in an e...
Ceramic
Vienna Secession Silvered Vase by Weiner Werkstatte
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Atlanta, GA
A hammered silver plate metal vase attributed to Josef Hoffmann and made by Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1920s. The vase is in the typical style of the Vienna secession, it features a ve...
Metal
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 ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Sold
H 4.34 in Dm 4.34 in
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...
Brass
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...
Metal
Vase etched Josef Hoffmann Loetz Orange ca. 1911 Vienna Jugendstil
By Loetz Glass, Josef Hoffmann
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...
Metal, Brass
A Large Vintage Moser Geometric Cut Crystal Smokey Vase by Josef Hoffman
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in NYC, NY
Art Déco Moser crystal glass vase from Czechoslovakia, Bohemia the 1930s. Design by Josef Hoffmann for Moser in Karlsbad. Anthracite or smokey to...
Art Glass
Sold
H 9 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
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 ...
Metal
Sold
H 8.86 in W 5.32 in D 5.32 in
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...
Metal
Faceted Vase by Moser in Citrine Crystal
By Moser, Josef Hoffmann
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...
Crystal
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...
Art Glass
Large Art Deco Art Glass Faceted Vase by Josef Hoffmann for Moser Glassworks
By Moser Glassworks, Josef Hoffmann
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...
Glass
Josef Hoffmann a “Flower Basket”, Wiener Werkstätte, 1906
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
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...
Metal
Sold
H 8.27 in W 7.88 in D 8.27 in
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 ...
Metal
Sold
H 4.57 in Dm 3.15 in
Loetz Art Nouveau Vase Opal with Black Etched Decor, J. Hoffmann, Austria, 1912
By Loetz Glass, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Vase on a round stand, slightly bulging towards the top with a slightly flared, flat rim of the mouth, opal-colored glass underlay with black overlay, high-cut decor with bellflowers...
Glass
Sold
H 4.34 in Dm 3.94 in
Etched Glass Vase Brown Yellow circa 1912 Josef Hoffmann Loetz Austria Art Deco
By Loetz Glass, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Austrian Jugendstil glass vase with etched decoration brown Yellow circa 1912 Form and Decoration by Josef Hoffmann manufactured by Johann Loetz Witwe Art Nouveau signed decoration f...
Glass
Glass Vase Austrian Jugendstil Josef Hoffmann Loetz Green 1900
By Loetz Glass, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Mouth-blown Glass Vase Austrian Jugendstil designed by Josef Hoffmann manufactured by Johann Loetz Witwe 1900 "Creta Glatt" decoration Josef Hoffmann used this shape for the first time in the VIII. Viennese Secession Exhibition...
Glass