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 Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Dressing table No.1134 by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn in very good original condition.
Bentwood
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
$6,136
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
$3,800 / item
H 17.92 in Dm 13.19 in
Table Mirror by Josef Frank, Firma Svenskt Tenn, Brass, Sweden, 1950s
By Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table mirror in brass designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Four pieces available, two different sizes. Measures: Height 47, diameter 38 cm 3 500 USD ...
Brass
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
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
$822Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.4 in W 23.04 in D 9.26 in
Antique George III Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III mahogany dressing table mirror having the original mirror plate, three drawers with original brass handles Lovely original colour and condition. Dimensions: He...
Other
Victorian Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror, Circa 1860
Located in Antwerp, BE
Victorian Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror – Circa 1860 A beautifully preserved Victorian dressing table mirror, crafted circa 1860 from solid mahogany with a richly figured grain and...
Mirror, Wood, Sapele Wood
$4,000
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
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
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
Serpentine Mahogany Large Georgian Dressing Table Mirror
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Attractive Late 18th Century Mahogany Serpentine Shaped, Georgian Dressing Table Mirror, Of Unusually Large Proportions, Having Elegant Shield Shaped Plate, Over Shaped Base W...
Mahogany
Superb Gilt Dressing Table Mirror
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A beautiful Victorian framed freestanding gilt dressing table mirror, in lovely overall condition. 31" high 25" wide 11" depth You are welcome to view this item at our showroom, pl...
Gesso