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 Wall or Ceiling Light, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Puristic design from the early stages of the Wiener Werkstaette, Measures: Diameter 25 cm. This lamp is also available in diameter 35cm and 50cm. All components according to the UL ...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstaette Jugendstil Ceiling Lamp / Flush Pende, Re Edit
By Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Hanging- 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: WWM...
Crystal, Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Flush Mount Pende Wrought Brass, Re Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Hanging- 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: WWM...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Jugendstil Single Light Pendant for Wiener Werkstätte, Re-Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Hanging- lamp from the showrooms of the Wiener Werkstätte used by Hoffmann in several variations. Hammered originally. Works-number M115, pattern-book of the Wiener Werkstaette: WWMB...
Crystal, Brass
Josef Hoffmann/Wiener Werkstaette Jugendstil Brass Wall Light, Re-Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Great example from the early, puristic phase of Josef Hoffmann and the Wiener Werkstaette. Brass varnished or nickel-plated optionally, other surfaces available. All components acc...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Style Pende, Re Editon
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Pendant, used in several Versions in Showrooms of the Wiener Werkstätte. Also available in a single Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstätte Atelier, now custom-made product...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstatte Ceiling Lamp, Chandelier, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Chandelier, also used by Hoffman at the Hohe Warte buildings Brauner and Hochstaetter 1905-1907; Salon Beer-Hofmann 1905-1906 Mak Inv Nr 103/WWV. Originally manufactured at the Wiene...
Crystal, Brass
Josef Hoffmann&Wiener Werkstatte Ceiling Lamp Villa Gallia Primavesi, Re-Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Very elaborate wall or ceiling lamp, designed for the Villa Gallia - Skywa - Primavesi, one of the last big houses, which is to consider the peak of Austrians architecture and cultiv...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Flush Mount Lamp / Lantern Jugendstil Re Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Hohe Warte and House Waerndorfer. All components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list and label our fixtures.
Crystal, Brass
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstaette Hand Chased Plafonier with Ornaments Reedition
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful ceiling lamp with very elaborate hand chased ornaments, originally designed in 1905, now handcrafted at the Woka workshop in Vienna All components according to the UL regu...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Villa Henneberg Jugendstil Wall or Ceiling Light, Re-Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Wall or ceiling light with mirror back side, handcut glass, designed by Josef Hoffmann for the Henneberg and the Spitzer mansion at the Villenkolonie Hohe Warte in Vienna. All compon...
Crystal, Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte, Palais Stoclet Dining Room Chandelier, Re Ed
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Josef Hoffmann designed the Dining room at the famous Stoclet Palais in Brussels with this flush-mount fixture. Handchased Ornaments on a brass-rim, and fire-polished glass-balls. WW...
Crystal, Brass
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstaette Jugendstil Wall Lamp/Flush Mount, Re-Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Early 20th century (1903), from the sewing room (Damensalon) at the first floor of the Purkersdorf Sanatorium; Remarkable the three combined squares, also used as prominent mark at t...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Ceiling Lamp Wiener Werkstaette for Karl Wittgenstein, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Ceiling-lamp for the hunting-lodge of Karl Wittgenstein, the father of the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein material: solid brass, surface varnished or nickel-plated, all other surfac...
Brass
Secessionist Josef Hoffmann Flush Mount Chandelier Re-Edition, Custom Made
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
A variation of the very important chandelier for the Henneberg House, built in 1900 on the outskirts of Vienna, were Hoffmann was responsible for the design and construction of eight...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Stoclet Palais, Ceiling Lamp Brass Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Ceiling lamp designed for the great hall at the Stoclet Palais, the lush and opulent Palace in Brussels, entirely executed by the Wiener Werkstätte with contribution by Michael Powol...
Brass
Flush Mount Josef Hoffmann&Wiener Werksaette Apptm Wittgenstein, Re Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Very elaborate hammered and chased flush fixture for the Dr Hermann Wittgenstein appartment in Vienna All components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we wi...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Brass Chandelier/Pendant, Vienna Secession Style Re-Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
This is an early example of Josef Hoffmann’s puristic phase before the funding of the Wiener Werkstatte in 1903, used in different forms at the Villenkolonie Hohe Warte, Waerndorfer ...
Crystal, Brass
Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte Flush Mount Light, Re Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
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 Werkstaette Pende, Re Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
An elegant and delicate pendant designed by Josef Hoffmann Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list and label our fixtures.
Brass
Modern Jugendstil Josef Hoffmann Hand Cut Glass Wall or Ceiling Lamp, Re Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Wall or ceiling light with mirror back side, handcut glass, designed in 1901 for the Henneberg Mansion at the Hohe Warte in Vienna. All components according to the UL regulations, w...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann&Wiener Werkstätte, Cafe Sabarsky Jugendstil Chandelier, ReEdition
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Very elegant crystal-chandelier, the original chandelier is at the Cafe Sabarsky, Neue Galerie, New York Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge w...
Crystal, Brass
Brass Wall or Ceiling Lamp by Josef Hoffmann Jugendstil Design, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Wall or ceiling light with mirror back side, pictured in nickel Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list and label our fixtures N...
Brass
Enlarged Brass, Frostet Glass Josef Hoffmann Flush Mount/Wall Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Larger version of the Henneberg Hohe Warte lamp from Josef Hoffmann 1901 enlarged by Woka Lamps. All components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstätte Flush Mount Lamp Re Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
A flatter version of the Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstätte lamp Variations are available Most components according to the UL regulations, wit...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann/Wiener Werkstatte Jugendstil Ceiling Lamp Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Chandelier, also used by Hoffman at the Hohe Warte buildings Brauner and Hochstaetter, 1905-1907; Salon Beer-Hofmann Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstatte, now manufactur...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann /Wiener Werkstaette Palais Stoclet Music Salon Plafonier, Re Edit
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Josef Hoffmann &Wiener Werkstaette Palais Stoclet Music Salon Flush Mount - Art Deco, Jugendstil, Wiener Werkstaette Style 1905 / Re-Edition 5 x Edison screw sockets E26/E27 for inc...
Crystal, Brass
$703
H 10 in W 10 in D 5 in
J.T. Kalmar Midcentury Brass Wall Light, Sconce, Brass Pins, 1950s, Austria
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful Modernist wall sconces made by J. T. Kalmar in the 1950s. The light is made of polished brass and the lampshades are made of acrylic glass. The faceted acrylic glass provid...
Brass
Maison Baguè Gilt Wrought Iron Crystal Nine-Light Flush Mount France, 1940s
By Maison Baguès
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Large gilt Iron and crystal nine-Light flush mount by Maison Baguès, France, 1940s. Wonderful art environment handcrafted in iron gild with gold leaf beautifuly decorate with amber g...
Crystal, Iron
Doria Pendant Light
By Doria Leuchten Germany
Located in Antwerp, BE
One Doria pendant light. Measures: Diameter 36 cm. Height 17 cm.
Metal
One Green Glass Pendant Light
Located in Antwerp, BE
One green Ufo glass pendant light. The brown lamp has been sold. Green light diameter 50 cm and height 38 cm. Brown light diameter 40 cm.
Glass
$3,985
H 39 in Dm 23 in
Art Nouveau Style White Alabaster & Bronze Three-Light Chandelier Pendant Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Excellent condition and rare design, 3-light chandelier. If you appreciate the elegant designs from the Art Nouveau era, then this midcentury made, 1970s alabaster, bronze and brass...
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
Brass and Leather Meander Flexible Arm Wall Light
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Brass and leather wrapped meander wall or ceiling mounted light fixture, shown in natural blue indigo leather and brushed brass. Adjustable arms allow for your own stylish poses. Ava...
Brass
French 1950's Large Scale Wall or Ceiling Light by Lunel
By Arlus
Located in Hanover, MA
Another addition to our collection of what we call "elbow form" wall or ceiling mounted fixtures by Lunel Lumiere, France 1950's. This one is notable for its dark walnut embelli...
Brass, Steel
Murano Pendant Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
An Italian mid century circa 1960's molded glass light fixture. Measurements: Diameter: 15" Drop: 11".
Murano Glass
German Vintage Amber Glass Ceiling or Wall Light Flushmount, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Wonderful vintage hand blown amber bubble glass flushmount. Germany, 1960s. Lamp sockets: 1x E27 (US E26).
Glass
$3,900
H 4.5 in Dm 8 in
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 ...
Brass
$22,482
H 14.18 in Dm 7.88 in
“Night Castel” Lamp by Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Austria, circa 1920
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in London, GB
“Night Castel” Lamp by Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Austria, circa 1920. Made from brass and embossed on the side with Hoffmann’s monogram “JH” and “WIENER WERK STÄTTE,” the l...
Brass
Large Vintage Glass Ceiling or Wall Light Flushmount, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Wonderful vintage hand made blown glass flushmount. Germany, 1960s. Lamp sockets: E27 (US E26). .
Glass
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstaette Jugendstil Ceiling Lamp
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Hanging- lamp from the showrooms of the Wiener Werkstaette used by Hoffmann in several variations. Hammered originally. Works-number M115, pattern-b...
Crystal, Brass
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstaette Jugendstil Ceiling Lamp
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Hanging- lamp from the showrooms of the Wiener Werkstaette used by Hoffmann in several variations. Hammered originally. Works-number M115, pattern-b...
Crystal, Brass
Sold
H 7.88 in W 11.03 in D 11.03 in
Set of Two Josef Hoffmann Villa Henneberg Art Nouveau Wall or Ceiling Lamps
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant set of two Art Nouveau ceiling or wall lamps. Designed by Josef Hoffmann in 1901 for the Villa Henneberg at Hohe Warte in Vienna, Austria. These ones seem to be an early re-e...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Flush Mount Light Fixture, Brass Glass, Jugendstil
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A flush mount chandelier which was used by Josef Hoffmann in the Hohe Warte buildings Brauner and Hochstaetter in 1905-1907 as well as in the Salon Beer-Hofmann in 1905/06. The light...
Brass
Sold
H 4.72 in W 12.6 in D 11.02 in
Josef Hoffmann Set of 9 Brass and Glass Pyramid Flush Mounts Wall Lamp, 1900
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Josef Hoffmann Set of 9 Brass and Glass Pyramid Flush Mounts Wall Lamp, 1900 Originally designed in 1903, this light was probably manufactured in ...
Brass