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Josef Hoffmann Benches

Austrian, 1870-1956

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.

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Creator: Josef Hoffmann
Original Josef Hoffmann & J. & J. Kohn Bench Vienna Secession, 1901
Original Josef Hoffmann & J. & J. Kohn Bench Vienna Secession, 1901

Original Josef Hoffmann & J. & J. Kohn Bench Vienna Secession, 1901

By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn

Located in Vienna, AT

A very rare and early bench, obviously the role model for the famous Barrel chair #720 which was presented four years later, in 1905.

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Josef Hoffmann Benches

Materials

Bentwood, Plywood

Josef Hoffmann 795 Barrel Ensemble , by J. & J. Kohn
Josef Hoffmann 795 Barrel Ensemble , by J. & J. Kohn

Josef Hoffmann 795 Barrel Ensemble , by J. & J. Kohn

By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn

Located in Vienna, AT

A rare Variation of Hoffmanns ‘720 Half-Barrel Settee Lit.: Die Wiener Werkstätte 1903-1932, Gabriele Fahr Becker, Taschen Verlag S. 106 Material: Bentwood and Plywood.

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Josef Hoffmann Benches

Materials

Beech

20th Century Art Nouveau "Fledermaus" Bentwood Seating Set by Kohn, AT ca. 1907
20th Century Art Nouveau "Fledermaus" Bentwood Seating Set by Kohn, AT ca. 1907

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...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Josef Hoffmann Benches

Materials

Fabric, Bentwood

Original Josef Hoffmann Jugendstil Bench/Settee, Early 20th Century  restored
Original Josef Hoffmann Jugendstil Bench/Settee, Early 20th Century  restored

Original Josef Hoffmann Jugendstil Bench/Settee, Early 20th Century restored

By Josef Hoffmann, Otto Prutscher, Jacob & Josef Kohn

Located in Vienna, AT

Attributed to either Josef Hoffmann or Otto Prutscher as both of the designers did similar objects in bentwood at this time, and both were using balls or olives for joining the legs ...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Josef Hoffmann Benches

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Bentwood

Josef Hoffmann, Purkersdorf Chair by Wittmann, Austria, circa 1990
Josef Hoffmann, Purkersdorf Chair by Wittmann, Austria, circa 1990

Josef Hoffmann, Purkersdorf Chair by Wittmann, Austria, circa 1990

By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann

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...

Category

1990s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Josef Hoffmann Benches

Materials

Fabric, Wood

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H 30.32 in W 24.41 in D 25.6 in

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By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann

Located in Zevenaar, NL

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Category

1920s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Josef Hoffmann Benches

Materials

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Secession Fledermaus armchairs by Josef Hoffmann

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H 28.75 in W 21.86 in D 19.3 in

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By Josef Hoffmann

Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK

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By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Highland, IN

Originally designed by Josef Hoffman for the Café Fledermaus in 1907. This example was made by Wittmann of Austria in the 80s. The frame of beech has a seat and back upholstered in H...

Category

1980s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Josef Hoffmann Benches

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Located in Nürnberg, Bayern

The wood is a feast for the eyes. The seat cushions need replacing, as they have holes and wear marks. The back cushions are OK, but probably need reupholstering too.

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Fledermaus bench no.728 by arch.Josef Hoffmann

Fledermaus bench no.728 by arch.Josef Hoffmann

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H 29.93 in W 49.61 in D 20.87 in

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Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK

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Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Benches

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J. & J. Kohn Bentwood and Rattan Bench, with Label, Austria, Circa 1900
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Category

Early 20th Century Vienna Secession Josef Hoffmann Benches

Previously Available Items
Black Art Nouveau Armchairs by J. Hoffmann Attributed to J&J Kohn, AT ca. 1910
Black Art Nouveau Armchairs by J. Hoffmann Attributed to J&J Kohn, AT ca. 1910

Black Art Nouveau Armchairs by J. Hoffmann Attributed to J&J Kohn, AT ca. 1910

By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Lichtenberg, AT

Incredible looking pair of black lacquered bentwood armchairs designed by the famous Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann, attributed to the renown company of Jacob & Josef Kohn Vienna....

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Josef Hoffmann Benches

Materials

Bentwood

Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Bentwood Settee Bench / White Lacquer
Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Bentwood Settee Bench / White Lacquer

Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Bentwood Settee Bench / White Lacquer

By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Buffalo, NY

Originally designed by Josef Hoffmann for Cabaret "Fledermaus" in Viennas city centre. Beech bentwood painted bench manufactured by Thonet Vienna.. Difficult to determine exact age ?...

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1940s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Josef Hoffmann Benches

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Josef Hoffmann Bentwood Settee
Josef Hoffmann Bentwood Settee

Josef Hoffmann Bentwood Settee

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H 31.5 in W 48.04 in D 23.23 in

Josef Hoffmann Bentwood Settee

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in Vienna, AT

Originally designed by Josef Hoffmann for Cabaret "Fledermaus" in Viennas city centre. Beech bentwood bench manufactured by Thonet Vienna Nut stained, seat and backrest upholstered...

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1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Josef Hoffmann Benches

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Original Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus #728 Ensemble 1905 Jugendstil Secession Style
Original Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus #728 Ensemble 1905 Jugendstil Secession Style

Original Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus #728 Ensemble 1905 Jugendstil Secession Style

By Woka Lamps, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Vienna, AT

An extraordinary modern design from 1905, the time when Josef Hoffmann was on the zenith of his creativity, consisting of, two armchairs and a settee, beech bentwood, brown-stained, ...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Josef Hoffmann Benches

Materials

Bentwood

Josef Hoffmann Wooden Bench for Thonet, 1925
Josef Hoffmann Wooden Bench for Thonet, 1925

Josef Hoffmann Wooden Bench for Thonet, 1925

Sold

H 29.93 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in

Josef Hoffmann Wooden Bench for Thonet, 1925

By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Joseph Hoffmann Wooden Bench for Thonet, 1925 Josef Hoffman learned the skill of design during a time when structure and conformity was not only the norm, but the requirement. The...

Category

1920s Austrian Post-Modern Vintage Josef Hoffmann Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Art Nouveau Bentwood Bench by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn, Austria, circa 1905
Art Nouveau Bentwood Bench by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn, Austria, circa 1905

Art Nouveau Bentwood Bench by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn, Austria, circa 1905

By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Lichtenberg, AT

Remarkable bentwood bench designed the famous Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann for the renown company of Jacob & Josef Kohn Vienna. Josef Hoffmann was also the founding member of th...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Josef Hoffmann Benches

Materials

Leather, Bentwood

Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann "Cabaret Fledermaus" Bench in Beechwood
Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann "Cabaret Fledermaus" Bench in Beechwood

Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann "Cabaret Fledermaus" Bench in Beechwood

By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Sculptural bench originally designed in 1907 by Josef Hoffman for the Cabaret Fledermaus and manufactured in the 1960s by the Austrian manufacturer,...

Category

1960s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Josef Hoffmann Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Beech

Bench by Josef Hoffman -Austria, circa 1900s
Bench by Josef Hoffman -Austria, circa 1900s

Bench by Josef Hoffman -Austria, circa 1900s

Sold

H 31.5 in W 49.22 in D 20.87 in

Bench by Josef Hoffman -Austria, circa 1900s

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in Brussels, BE

Bench by Josef Hoffman -Austria, circa 1900s.

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Josef Hoffmann Benches

Materials

Wood

Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann Viennese Secessionist 'Fledermaus' Bench in White
Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann Viennese Secessionist 'Fledermaus' Bench in White

Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann Viennese Secessionist 'Fledermaus' Bench in White

By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann

Located in Astoria, NY

Viennese Secessionist 'Fledermaus' bench in white, originally designed in 1907 for the Viennese Fledermaus cabaret by Josef Hoffmann and manufactured by Wittmann. The piece is uphols...

Category

20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Josef Hoffmann Benches

Materials

Textile, Wood

Early Josef Hoffmann Purkersdorf Sanatorium Bench
Early Josef Hoffmann Purkersdorf Sanatorium Bench

Early Josef Hoffmann Purkersdorf Sanatorium Bench

Sold

H 38.59 in W 70.48 in D 25.99 in

Early Josef Hoffmann Purkersdorf Sanatorium Bench

By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Vienna, AT

Triple-seated original bench from the Purkersdorf Sanatorium waiting area, upholstery renovated. Literature: Deutsche Kunst und Decoration, 1906, II, p 460, p 436, catalogue: design-...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Josef Hoffmann Benches

Biach Settee by Josef Hoffmann
Biach Settee by Josef Hoffmann

Biach Settee by Josef Hoffmann

Sold

H 28 in W 47.25 in D 20 in

Biach Settee by Josef Hoffmann

By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This settee which Hoffman designed in 1916 for the Biach Villa, shows influence from his own Fledermaus furniture which was made a decade earlier....

Category

1910s Austrian Vintage Josef Hoffmann Benches

Materials

Suede, Wood

A Fledermaus Settee by Josef Hoffmann
A Fledermaus Settee by Josef Hoffmann

A Fledermaus Settee by Josef Hoffmann

Sold

H 29.5 in W 49 in D 21.25 in

A Fledermaus Settee by Josef Hoffmann

By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Austin, TX

A period Vienna Secession bentwood settee designed by Josef Hoffmann in 1905, and manufactured by Thonet in 1910. The bentwood constructio...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Josef Hoffmann Benches

Materials

Ash, Upholstery

Josef Hoffmann benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Josef Hoffmann benches are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Josef Hoffmann benches, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original benches by Josef Hoffmann were created in the Art Nouveau style in europe during the early 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider benches by Jacob and Josef Kohn, and Thonet. Prices for Josef Hoffmann benches can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,990 and can go as high as $10,501, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,004.
Questions About Josef Hoffmann Benches
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024
    Josef Hoffmann invented the Sitzmaschine, an adjustable lounge chair that the Austrian designer unveiled in 1905. Literally called a “machine for sitting,” it was originally created for a sanatorium in Purkersdorf, near Vienna. It has a curving frame with square and rectangular back and side rests. Like so many other designs by Hoffmann, this piece reflects a forward-thinking appreciation for the union of different sources, here the Arts and Crafts movement and modern design. Find a collection of Josef Hoffmann furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.