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.
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
$6,122
H 14.97 in W 11.62 in D 1.19 in
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
Fine Satinwood Inlaid Dressing Table Mirror
Located in Cheshire, GB
This exquisite dressing table mirror is crafted from richly figured satinwood, celebrated for its warm golden hue and naturally shimmering grain. The generously sized oval mirror is ...
Satinwood
Louis Philippe Dressing Table .
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
We present a really unique Louis Philippe dressing table from 1860 The furniture from our workshop is manually covered with high-gloss shellac lacquer. A piece of furniture suita...
Rosewood
Large Gilt Triptych Dressing Table Mirror
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A good French very nice carved giltwood triptych dressing table mirror, with bevelled mirrors and solid oak back, in very good overall condition. 33" high 48" wide You are welco...
Giltwood
$3,991
H 90.95 in W 39.38 in D 18.51 in
20th Century Beautiful Console Mirror/Floor Mirror in the Louis XV, Gilt
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century beautiful console mirror/floor mirror in the Louis XV, gilt Solid beechwood, carved and painted. Semicircular high-rectangular body on conical, fluted legs. Cambered ...
Marble
Ruhlmann 'Virgule' Dressing Table Mirror
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
‘Virgule’ dressing table mirror in silvered bronze. The circular mirror stands on a silvered bronze foot shaped like a comma, hence the name "Virgule", meaning comma in French. It is...
Bronze
Regency Painted Faux Bamboo Dressing Table Mirror
Located in Hastings, GB
An antique large dressing table mirror, painted in the faux bamboo Regency style, the mirror plate with age related foxing Weighted Base, adjustable angle with side finials Heigh...
Mirror, Pine
1950's Dressing Table Mirror - Original Glass
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950’s Dressing Table Mirror – Original Glass. Nothing beats a good mirror and we buy them for the quality of the glass and the foxing, the level of deterioration in the mirror film...
Glass
Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror
Located in Cheshire, GB
Mahogany shaving/dressing table mirror, with adjustable circular mirror within moulded carved surround over lobed baluster upright, on a circular...
Wood
Georgian Walnut Dressing Table Mirror
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Good Quality And Very Attractive, Early 18th Century, George I Period. Walnut Dressing Table Mirror, Having Elegant Frame Enclosing Replacement Mirror Plate, Over Superbly Figured Three Drawer Box...
Walnut
Dressing Table with Mirror by Jindrich Halabala for Up Zavody
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Dressing Table with Mirror by Jindrich Halabala for Up Zavody Wear consistent with age and use. Art Deco - Bar - Dressing table ...
Bentwood
Antique French Ebony Dressing Table Mirror
Located in London, GB
This beautiful mirror will look wonderful placed on a woman’s dressing table. It features an ebony frame which is intricately carved with a variety of motifs, inspired by classical design. The item is composed of an oval mirror, which is set within a shaped rectangular wooden frame. The frame is crowned by a medallion containing a portrait of a woman’s head in profile. This is decorated with a ribbon bow and flower swags which are held by two female figures, positioned either side of the medallion. The women have classical style nude...
Mirror, Wood, Ebony