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.
Customizable Wittmann Club 1910 Leather Lounge Chair by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
This 1910 design is testimony to the diversity of Josef Hoffmann’s work. Price listed for starting leather, also available in fabric -
Leather, Fabric
Customizable Wittmann Alleegasse Armchair by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
Design: Josef Hoffmann This upholstered suite was designed in 1912 for Dr. Hugo Koller’s music room as part of the furnishings at his Vienna apartme...
Fabric
Vintage Bent Wood & Wicker Cafe Chairs by Josef Hoffman for Ligna
By Josef Hoffmann, Ligna
Located in Detroit, MI
This set of six vintage mid century Bentwood Prague Model 811 cafe dining chairs were made in Czechoslovakia by Ligna circa 1960 based on the original design by Austrian architects J...
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
Italian wood and Vienna straw Praga chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Ligna, 1970s
By Ligna, Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian wood and Vienna straw Praga chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Ligna, 1970s. Set of ten chairs with armrests known as the Praga or 811 model, with a wooden structure with a matt bl...
Straw, Wood
Restored Art Nouveau Seating Set, By J.F.M. Hoffmann, Beech, Austria, 1910s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Armchair dimensions: Height: 75 cm (29.5 in) Width: 55 cm (21.6 in) Depth: 47 cm (18.5 in) Seat: 45 cm (17.7 in) Sofa dimensions: Height: 75 cm (29.5 in) Width: 123 cm (48.4 in) Dep...
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer, Fabric, Beech
$3,567Sale Price|20% Off
Very rare Elephant Desk Chair by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Oirlo, LI
Step into the world of early 20th-century design innovation with the exceptional furniture creations of Josef Hoffmann for J. & J. Kohn. These pieces are not just furniture—they are ...
Bentwood
Customizable Wittmann Club 1910 Leather Lounge Chair by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
This 1910 design is testimony to the diversity of Josef Hoffmann’s work. Wittmann has created a matching sofa. Price listed for starting leather, also available in fabric - starts at...
Leather, Fabric
Office chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Office chair no.811 designed in late 1920s by Josef Hoffmann in excellent original condition with hand woven cane seat and backrest.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Josef Hoffmann, Purkersdorf Chair by Wittmann, Austria, circa 1990
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Renens, CH
Priced per chair Designed by Josef Hoffmann in 1903 for the entrance hall of the Purkersdorf Sanatorium near Vienna, this chair is a key example of Viennese Modernism and the Vienna...
Fabric, Wood
Very rare armchairs nr.813 /1F by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob Josef Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Very rare armchairs nr.813 /1F by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob Josef Kohn in very good original condition.
Beech, Bentwood
$5,215Sale Price|30% Off
Very Rare Josef Hoffmann 725 B/F Chair by Jacob and Josef Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Munich, DE
New belts, foam and zig zag fabric designed by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätten. With Jacob and Josef Kohn label.
Bentwood
Joseph Hoffman for Khon Signed Barrel Chair
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Westport, CT
Joseph Hoffman for Khon signed,barrel chair,Mahogany wood,creme upholstery,and open section on bottom to see original paper label,1880's early design .
Fabric, Wood
$8,200 / item
One or Six Armchairs Designed by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine find! These barrel armchairs model No. 729/2F, designed by Joseph Hoffmann, circa 1906. The simplicity of this chair design: is made up of a u-shaped horizontal rail that form...
Upholstery, Bentwood
Josef Hoffmann, Ligna, Mid-Century Modern, Bistro Chairs, Czech Republic, 1970s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Stamford, CT
Josef Hoffmann, Ligna, Mid-Century Modern, Bistro Chairs, Czech Republic, 1970s A pair of No. 811 Prague armchairs and one side chair, designed by Josef Hoffmann for Ligna, Czech Re...
Bentwood
Three Piece Set by Josef Hoffmann w/ Beech Frame & Clarence House Fabric
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
This elegant and refined three piece living room set, consisting of two chairs and a settee were designed by the legendary Josef Hoffman in Austria circa 1905. They feature concave d...
Fabric, Beech
Customizable Wittmann Villa Gallia Sofa Chair by Josef Hoffmann
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
This suite was created in 1913 for the Gallia family’s apartment in Wohllebengasse, Vienna.
Fabric
Fledermaus Seating Group by Josef Hoffmann Ex. by Wittmann Wien
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Fledermaus seating group by Josef Hoffmann ex. by Wittmann Wien circa 1950. Original vintage condition with signs of use. Sofa: wxdxh 119x50x74 seat height 44cm Armchair: wxdxh 56x50...
Beech
Rare Josef Hoffmann Chair for Mundus Vienna Austria 1907-1914
By Josef Hoffmann, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rare Josef Hoffman Chair for Mundus Vienna Austria 1907-1914 Leopold Pilzer, a junior partner at the bentwood furniture company Rudolf Weill & ...
Rush, Bentwood
Art deco armchair no.811 "Prague chair" by Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
A stunning example of timeless modernist design, this Model No. 811 armchair (famously known as the Prague Chair) is a centerpiece of 20th-century furniture history. Originally desig...
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
20th Century Art Nouveau "Fledermaus" Bentwood Seating Set by Kohn, AT ca. 1907
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely early 20th century Art Nouveau bentwood seating set designed by the world renowed Austrian architect and founder of the "Wiener Werkstaette" - Josef Hoffmann for Jacob & Josef...
Fabric, Bentwood
20th Century Art Nouveau Dining Chairs, Set Of 6, Josef Hoffmann, ca. 1901
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
We are very proud to offer you an absolutely gem of Art Nouveau furniture: an extremely rare set of 6 Art Nouveau dining chairs from the early 20th century around 1901, designed by n...
Suede, Oak
Josef Hoffman For FMG Poland Ebonized and Caned Side Chair
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid-20th Century Josef Hoffmann For FMG Poland ebonized bentwood and Cane chair. Newer caning. Priced per item.
Cane, Bentwood
Customizable Wittmann Kubus Leather Sofa by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
A Classic example of Hoffmann’s strict geometrical lines and the quadratic theme in his work is the Kubus armchair, designed in 1910 and handcrafted to ...
Leather
Pair of Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Upholstered Side Chairs Original Fabric
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Sharon, CT
Extremely rare pair of Wiener Werkstätte upholstered chairs. In the original Wiener Werkstatte fabric. All designed by Josef Hoffmann. Origina...
Wood
Prague Chairs by Josef Hoffmann & Frank in Bentwood and Cane, Set of Six, 1930s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in London, GB
Set of six beech and rattan Prague chairs, designed by Josef Hoffmann and Josef Frank for Thonet in the 1930s.
Rattan, Beech
Original Josef Hoffmann Stool, Prag Rudniker Wicker-Fabrication
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Expertise Dr Gerti Draxler Dorotheum Wien, aus einer Sitzgruppe im Salon des Haus Biach, 1902-03, comparable to : Hocker Alexander Brauner, Hohe Warte 1904, Wiener Werkstaette Muster...
Wicker, Beech
Vintage 1910s Josef Hoffmann Easy Lounge Chairs, Style of Gatsby
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
Two Elegant Josef Hoffmann Chairs made by Manufactor Jacob & Josef Kohn. Early 20th-Century Armchairs in Great Gatsby Style. Crafted around 1910 Jugendstil , these armchairs r...
Fabric, Beech
Customizable Wittmann Kubus Leather Sofa by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
A Classic example of Hoffmann’s strict geometrical lines and the quadratic theme in his work is the Kubus armchair, designed in 1910 and handcrafted to ...
Leather
Josef Hoffmann Viennese Art Nouveau pair of armchairs. Circa 1910 in Beech
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Viennese Art Nouveau (Vienna Werkstette) pair of armchairs in black-stained beech, circa 1910, by Josef Hoffmann and made by J. & J. Kohn, Vienna. Upholstery fabric is a correct re-i...
Beech
Austrian tub chairs by Joseph Hoffmann for Wittmann, 1980s
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian tub chairs by Joseph Hoffmann for Wittmann, 1980s Set of four armchairs with painted wooden frames. The frames feature decorative wooden balls, also painted. The seats and b...
Fabric, Wood
Elephant Desk Chair by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Elephant desk chair by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn professionally stained and repolished.
Bentwood
Set of 4 Black Bentwood Dining Armchairs designed by Josef Hoffmann for Mundus
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find rare vintage dining chairs designed by Josef Hoffmann for Mundus - Model Prague. Chairs are done in black painted beech bentwood and upholstered in blac...
Fabric, Beech
Very rare armchairs nr.813 /1F by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob Josef Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Very rare armchairs nr.813 /1F by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob Josef Kohn in original vintage condition.
Beech, Bentwood
$8,200 / item
One or Six Armchairs Designed by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine find! These barrel armchairs model No. 729/2F, designed by Joseph Hoffmann, circa 1906. The simplicity of this chair design: is made up of a U-shaped horizontal rail that form...
Upholstery, Bentwood