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.
Gilded Mirror by Josef Hoffmann, execution Max Welz for Wiener Werkstätte, 1930
By Josef Hoffmann, Max Welz
Located in Vienna, AT
In Josef Hoffmann's designs, foliage emerged as a central and recurring motif, wherein he masterfully encapsulated nature’s intricate ornamental language in a stylized and minimalist...
Gold Leaf
Dressing Table No.1134 by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Dressing table No.1134 by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn in very good original condition.
Bentwood
Restored Art Deco Dressing Mirror, by J.F.M. Hoffmann, Palisander, Czech, 1910s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This luxurious dressing table with a mirror is an extraordinary piece of Central European Art Deco from the early 20th century. Its author is the world famous architect and designer ...
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer, Palisander
Art Deco Mirror
Located in New York, NY
This mirror has simple clean lines and a small tray beneath. Elegant yet practical, this mirror is perfect for maximizing a small space.
Mirror, Birch
Art Deco French Wall Mirror, c1930s
Located in Devon, England
Original 1930's French Art Deco wall mirror with geometric and floral motif details. Lovely shape and design and typical colourway for these mirrors. The Mirror itself is in great co...
Mirror, Boxwood
Gio Ponti Style Gilt Wood Mirror by Max Welz Vienna, Austria, 1940s
By Max Welz, Gio Ponti
Located in Vienna, AT
A wonderful Austrian modernist wall mirror with a lovely curved gold-plated lime wood frame from the 1940s. Manufactured by Max Welz Vienna, Austria. In very good condition with char...
Gold Leaf
Small Antique French Art Deco Silvered Mirror, circa 1925
Located in Paris, FR
Small antique French Art Deco period wall mirror, circa 1925. Orned of stylized plants and flowers carved in low relief in Art Deco style. Antique frame re-silvered with leaf. Frame ...
Silver Leaf
Antique Art Deco Oval Wrought Iron Mirror, 1931
Located in Paris, FR
Antique French wall mirror, oval wrought iron frame, Art Deco period, circa 1931. Decor of roses , stylized leaves, patinated by time. Origi...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Art Deco Venetian Style Wall Mirror C. 1930 - 1950's
By André Marchand
Located in New York, NY
Glamorous High Style Art Deco, Hollywood Regency, Venetian style mirror in the manner of Marchand. This example features scalloped mirrored edging, and mirror trim which surrounds th...
Mirror
Round Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fontana Arte pale transparent shallow concave dish mirror designed by Max Ingrand. A round wall mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy. This model '1669' mirror from the 1960...
Brass
Mirror Made In Stained Oak From 1910s
Located in Lejre, DK
This antique oval mirror, crafted from dark stained oak and dating back to around the 1910s, exemplifies the elegance and craftsmanship of early 20th-cent...
Oak
$10,720
H 24.81 in W 24.81 in D 1.58 in
Midcentury Squared Wall Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing squared wall mirror model 2377 mirrored coloured cut glass frame black wood fitting by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Made in Italy 29 - January - 1965. The original stamp is still visible on the back, as shown in the picture. Reference: Quaderni Fontana Arte n°7. Max Ingrand (1908 – 1969) ; Creating forward-thinking and innovative pieces of furniture years before his time, French stained glass designer and decorator Max Ingrand created design classics such as the Fontana table lamp, a bulbous white-painted metal frame with a satin white blown glass shade and globe. The Italian contemporary...
Metal
Lighted Art Deco Style Vanity Mirror or Wall Mirror
Located in Plainview, NY
A delightful vanity or wall mirror featuring multicolored buttons and a faux leather frame. The mirror has a lighted milk glass frame that is wired. The faux leather shows beautiful ...
Faux Leather, Milk Glass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte mirror. Rare.
By Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Rare large size wall mirror with brass frame by Fontana Arte. Brass has nice patina Mirror plate has very minimal signs of age.
Brass
$320
H 12.75 in W 7 in D 0.88 in
Black Forest Brienz wood carved Handheld Mirror, Antique Austria 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful hand mirror is antique, old and beautiful. It was made from carved wood in the quiet of the Black Forest and comes from the Austrian Alpine region, from the village of...
Wood
Very Rare Wall Mirror By Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Max Welz
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare wall mirror designed by Josef Hoffmann 1937 for the world exhibition and executed by Max Welz, Vienna. This is the bigger version of this mirror is from the 1970 made of wood mass.
Mirror, Softwood
Sold
H 59.45 in Dm 9.85 in
Restored ArtDeco Pair of Pedestals, Hoffmann, Thonet, Beech, Austria, 1910s
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored ArtDeco Pair of Pedestals Designer: Josef Franz Maria Hoffmann Maker: Thonet Material: Stained Beech Source: Austria Period: 1910-1919 Revived original polish. Designed by...
Wood, Beech