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, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
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 for the Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Wall Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
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
Josef Hoffmann/ Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Silk/Brass Wall Lamp Re-Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
For the residence of the Banker Dr Dietrich Moldauer Material: Patinated brass, silk, all other colors are possible Most components according to the UL regulations, with an addition...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Art Nouveau Wall Light Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
From the billard-room at the Purkersdorf Sanatorium in Vienna Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list and label our fixtures.
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 and Wiener Werkstätte Wall Lamp/Light Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Wall-lamp, designed by Josef Hoffmann for the Purkersdorf Sanatorium in 1903, then manufactured at the historical Wiener Werkstätte All components according to the UL regulations,...
Brass
$6,316 / item
Josef Hoffmann WW Sconces Wall Lamp Re Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
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 Werstaette Wall Lamp Vienna Secession Jugendstil Re-Edit
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
The famous "Fledermaus Cabaret" in Vienna was build by many members of the Wiener Werkstaette by the time when working on the Stoclet Palais project Most components according to the...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Hammered Brass Wall Light Woka Lamps
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Hammered brass, optionally varnished or nickel-plated, all other finishes on request. Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstaette, now manufactured at the WOKA workshop in Vien...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstatte Gitterwork Wall Lamp, Re Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
A very modern wall lamp from 1903 "Gitterwork" at its finest. Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list and label our fixtures. Orig...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann for the Wiener Werkstätte Wall Light, Lantern, Re Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
This is a great lamp from Josef Hoffmann most important building - the Purkersdorf Sanatorium. The reading room at the first floor - on the original image one can see the lamp in the...
Crystal, Brass
Josef Hoffmann&Wiener Werkstatte Ceiling Lamp Villa Gallia Primavesi, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
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
Outdoor/Indoor Luminaire Josef Hoffmann Jugendstil Wall Lamp, Re Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Outdoor luminaire from Josef Hoffmann 1904 for the Sanatorium Purkersdorf. Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list and label our fi...
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 Brass Wall Lamp for the Wiener Werkstätte, Re Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass, optionally varnished or nickel-plated, all other surfaces on request, originally manufactured at the historical Wiener Werkstaette Most components according to the UL regulat...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Stoclet Wall Sconces by Woka Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list and label our fixtures.
Crystal, Brass
Josef Hoffmann Villa Henneberg Jugendstil Wall or Ceiling Light, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
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
2 bronze wall sconces with palm leaves by Josef Hoffmann for Bakalowits
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
The Palm Tree lamp series was designed by Josef Hoffmann in 1914 and manufactured by Bakalowits. These two lamps are original pieces from that period. Solid cast bronze and cut gla...
Crystal, Bronze
Original Wiener Werkstaette, Hallmarked, Josef Hoffmann Brass Wall Lamp
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare wall lamp with a beautiful natural patina. Brass with marks: Rosenmarke and "Wiener Werkstätte," designer monogram "JH" Josef Hoffmann Literature: Compare Wandlampe for Lan...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstaette Jugendstil Wall Lamp/Flush Mount, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
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, Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Wall Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
In addition to the magnificent Palme chandelier Solid brass, centrifugal casting in rubber-mould, crystal-glass. Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional ...
Crystal, Brass
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstaette Crystal Wall Light, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass lamp, optionally varnished or nickel-plated, all other surfaces on request, glass beads, fire polished Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional char...
Brass
Enlarged Brass, Frostet Glass Josef Hoffmann Flush Mount/Wall Lamp, Re-Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
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 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...
Brass
$728
H 10 in W 10 in D 5 in
J.T. Kalmar Midcentury Brass Wall Light, Sconce, Brass Pins, 1950s, Austria
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
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
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
Pair of Solid Brass Wall Lantern
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elegant pair of wall lantern hand crafted from brass with three 40/watt light each. Suitable for wet locations, electrified and ready to use . Beautiful decorative pair of lantern indoor...
Brass
$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
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
On Hold|$22,989
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
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
Pair of Vintage Solid Brass Wall Lantern
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elegant pair of wall lantern hand crafted from solid brass with three 40/watt lights each. Suitable for wet locations, electrified and ready to use. Beautiful thick beveled glass. ...
Brass
Single Vintage Solid Brass Wall Lantern
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elegant single wall lantern ,hand crafted from solid brass with one 60/watt light , four sides of textured glass. Beautiful patina. Suitable for wet locations, electrified and read...
Brass
Ceiling or Wall Light by Stilnovo, Italy, circa 1970s
By Stilnovo
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
Mid-Century Modern flush mount or wall light by Stilnovo, Italy, circa 1970s. Made of enameled metal frame. Socket : one x E27.
Metal
French Art Nouveau Green Cast Iron Opaline Glass Wall Light
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French Art Nouveau cast iron wall light Green cast iron, brass top and opaline glass Size wall plate 195 × 125 mm Weight: 3.30 kg / 7.3 lb Priced per individual item. All lamps ha...
Iron
$7,895
H 7.09 in Dm 12.01 in
Jugendstil Brass Glass Vintage Ceiling Light Flushmount by Otto Wagner, Vienna
By Otto Wagner
Located in Vienna, AT
Jugendstil brass glass vintage ceiling light / flushmount / ceiling lamp, which was designed by Otto Wagner, Vienna 1910 - 1912. Otto Wagner (1841-1918 ) was a famed Austrian archite...
Brass
Jugendstil Brass Glass Sconce by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Brass and faceted transparent glass wall lamp designed in 1903 by Josef Hoffmann, Austrian architect and designer, among the founders of the Viennese secession, a lamp that was publi...
Brass
Sold
H 4.81 in Dm 12.6 in
Jugendstil Vintage Brass Glass Flush Mount Sconce Josef Hoffmann 1903 Austria
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Jugendstil vintage flush mount or sconce from brass and facetted clear glass Josef Hoffmann designed 1903 and manufactured 1970s Austria. Beautiful vintage wall light / flush mount ...
Brass
Sold
H 11.03 in W 15.75 in D 7.88 in
Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Wall Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
In addition to the magnificent Palme chandelier Solid brass, centrifugal casting in rubber-mould, crystal-glass. All components according to the UL regulations, with an additiona...
Crystal, Brass
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstaette Jugendstil Ceiling Lamp
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps, 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 Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps, 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
Pair of Josef Hoffmann Pyramid Ceiling or Sconce Lights
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a matching pair of Woka Lamps designed by Josef Hoffmann in 1901. They were designed at the turn of the century but still feel fresh. The ori...
Nickel
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