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 & Wiener Werkstätte "Fabric Department" Chandelier, Re Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
A simple but sensational fixture, designed by Josef Hoffmann, for the fabric department of the Wiener Werkstaette on Kaerntnerstrasse in Vienna. Style and color of the fabric custom ...
Silk
Petite Viennese Josef Hoffmann Jugendstil Chandelier, Re-Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Contemporary production Petite Viennese chandelier, design from the early period of the early 20th century All components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge ...
Brass
Wiener Werkstaette Josef Hoffmann "Graben Cafe" 45 Pendant Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Originally a Josef Hoffmann design for the Staekelborg, Knips and for the Berta Zuckerkandl Mansion. This one was designed for the famous Graben Cafè in Vienna - Comes in all sizes. ...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann for the Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Wall Lamp, Re-Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
A design for the Purkersdorf Sanatorium near Vienna. Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstaette, now manufactured at the WOKA workshop in Vienna. All components according to ...
Brass
Koloman Moser and Josef Hoffmann Jugendstil Chandelier, Re-Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A very nice version from the often used design by Koloman Moser as well as by Josef Hoffmann, the total drop will be custom made. Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstaette A...
Brass
Josef Frank Fabric /Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstaette Table Lamp, Re-Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
An extremely elaborate table lamp in the famous Hoffmann design from the 1920s. chased/hammered brass, the hand-sewn fabric-shades with colorful designs by Josef Frank, WW-Modell Nr ...
Brass
Wiener Werkstaette Josef Hoffmann "Graben Cafe" 45 Pendant Re-Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Originally a Josef Hoffmann design for the Staekelborg, Knips and for the Berta Zuckerkandl Mansion. This one was designed for the famous Graben Cafè in Vienna - Comes in all sizes. ...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann/Wiener Werkstaette Moldauer Brass and Silk Chandelier, Re-Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
This chandelier is an excellent example for Hoffmanns way from the geometrical reduction - started 1901 by him, to the neoclassical direction, which he started, circa 1909, on the wo...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstaette Hanging Lamp Chandelier, Pendant, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Josef Hoffmann&Wiener Werkstaette hanging lamp chandelier, pendant. Re-edition Single pendant! Lenght custom made Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additio...
Crystal, Brass
Josef Hoffmann&Wiener Werkstätte Wittgenstein Silk&Brass Table Lamp, Re-Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
ppartement Jerome und Margaret Stonborough-Wittgenstein, Berlin. Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list and label our fixtures.
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Table Lamp with Opaline Glass Shade, Re Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Table light with opaline glass shade, pictured in brass. Originally designed for the Spitzer House, designed by Josef Hoffmann in 1900 Most components according to the UL regulation...
Brass
$6,157 / item
Josef Hoffmann WW Sconces Wall Lamp Re Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Very Elaborate Hand chased sconces, designed by Josef Hoffmann and originally manufactured at the historical Wiener Werkstaette. A longer Version was made for the Cafe Sabarsky at th...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstaette Hanging Lamp Chandelier, Pendant, Re-Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
A hanging lamp with chased rosebuds on the rim, glass-hangings and fabric in the requested Color. Comp WW Archive, Museum of Applied Arts Vienna MAK, wall Vase, No. S 2243, Expertise...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Brass & Silk Desk Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
A Josef Hoffmann table lamp with a fabric-shade - different Colors are available Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstätte Atelier, now custom-made production at the Woka Lamp...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Josef Frank & Wiener Werkstaette Ball Table Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
1920 designed Josef Hoffmann chased brass lamp base, different finishes available. Hand sewn Lamp Shade with a Josef Frank fabric, different patterns available. Sample book of the Wi...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstaette Art Deco Ceiling Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
A very modern chandelier, which also can be made in other sizes. Available in different sizes. Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstaette Atelier, now custom made production ...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Pendant/ Chandelier Re-Edition for the Apptm. Gustav Pollak
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
For the appartment Gustav Pollak, in Vienna 1040 Total drop is custom made
Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstaette Silk & Brass Moldauer Pende, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
For the residence of the Banker Dr Dietrich Moldauer material: Patinated brass, silk, all other colors are possible. Literature: Sekler, Josef Hoffmann – Das architektonische Werk, S...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstaette Jugendstil Pendant, Re-Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Material: brass laquered or nickel plated. Silk-shade comes in any colour. White inside. handmade. The bottom is covered with a hardened opaline-glass in a brass-frame different size...
Brass
Cubistic Josef Hoffmann / Wiener Werkstätte Table Lamp, Re Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Sensational design from the founding period of the historical Wiener Werkstaette. If one consider, that the term Cubism was common several years later, one can imagine how much Josef...
Brass
Secessionist J. Hoffmann&Wiener Werkstätte Silvered Brass Table Lamp Re-Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Wonderful, very elaberate table lamp, silvered brass, the original is displayed in gallery 910 at the Metropolitan Museum New York. Also available in a plain, non-wrought version. Ma...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann "Palme Kobe" Jugendstil Chandelier, Re Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Variation of the great Palme designed by Josef Hoffmann in circa 1918 Different Variations of the chandelier are available - see our pictures below Total drop custom made. All compo...
Crystal, Brass
Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte Flush Mount Light, Re Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Flush - lamp from the showrooms of the Wiener Werkstaette used by Hoffmann in several variations. Hammered originally. Works-number M115, pattern-book of the Wiener Werkstaette: WWMB...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann / Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil/ Art Nouveau Table Lamp Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
A very early design by Josef Hoffmann for the Sanatorium Purkersdorf Veranda, later used at the Cabaret Fledermaus. Published in Deutsche Kunst und Dekoration 1906. Hoffmann was comm...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstaette Hanging Lamp Chandelier, Pendant, Re-Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A hanging lamp with chased rosebuds on the rim, glass-hangings and fabric in the requested Color. Comp WW Archive, Museum of Applied Arts Vienna MAK, wall Vase, No. S 2243, Expertise...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann for the Wiener Werkstaette Silk & Brass Table Lamp, Re Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
For the Villa Pickler, Budapest, 1909, originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstatte, reproduced at Woka Lamps, Vienna in 2003 on the occasion of the centennial of the founding of...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Koloman Moser Wiener Werkstaette Pende, re Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Frequently used by Josef Hoffmann and Koloman Moser in their early works for the Wiener Werkstätte Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will...
Brass
$8,289 / item
Josef Hoffmann Jugendstil Floor Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Designed for the head office of the then very famous tile manufacturer "Gebruder Schwadron", who also did the "Dianabad" in Vienna with sculptures of Michael Powolny and Otto Prutsch...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann for the Wiener Werkstaette Jugendstil Table Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
One of the first lamp-design by Josef Hoffmann, executed by the Wiener Werkstaette, works-number M 109, pattern book of the Wiener Werkstaette WWMB 3, p. 541. Displayed at the WW-Sho...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstaette Jugendstil Haus Ast Pendant, Re Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstaette Haus Ast Pendant Hoffmann WW 1909 Pendant - Art Deco, Jugendstil, Secession Style, Wiener Werkstaette Style Most components according to the...
Brass
$12,433 / item
Palmanova Chandelier Design, Re-edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Based on the famous Palme, designed by Josef Hoffmann, WOKA has made this beautiful chandelier Total drop custom! Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additiona...
Crystal, Brass