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.
Extremely Rare Chair from the Grabenkaffehaus, Vienna 1, Graben, Original
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely rare chair from the Grabenkaffehaus, Vienna 1, Graben 29a - Trattnerhof Stained and polished beechwood, upholstery not original.
Beech
Italian 1950s Sculptural Single Chair
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1950s beautifully sculpted single chair.
Upholstery, Wood
Rattan and Iron Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French sculptural rattan and iron chair. Handwoven cone shaped rattan seat sits freely inside the iron frame. One of a kind, prototype chair. Very good vintage condition.
Iron
$1,100 / item
H 32.29 in W 21.26 in D 22.45 in
Natural Brazilian Wood Pipa Chair in Naked Style from Tiago Curioni
By Tiago Curioni
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Developed under the premise of Brazilian traditional joinery concepts, Pipa chair is made with Tauari rods, all of the same thickness and with simple insert...
Beech
$9,924
H 29.14 in W 20.48 in D 18.51 in
Batlló Chair With Solid Varnished Oak By Antoni Gaudí, Spanish modernism
By Antoni Gaudí
Located in Barcelona, ES
Solid varnished oak. A company that has always attributed such great importance to the author of the designs could never forget the great figures in history. That is why the BD catalogue of contemporary creations has always included those by admired classical masters. Antoni Gaudí (1852/1926) is, without doubt, the most internationally well-known Spanish architect. But is not only his buildings and brilliant architectural solutions that have travelled the globe. His integrated conception of architecture led him to pay attention, not only to structural calculations, but also to all the decorative elements, including furniture, that would form part of the building. The admiration felt by modern designers for the furniture designed by Gaudí has not gone unnoticed by BD which was the first company to rescue them from history by embarking on their serial production using traditional art and craft techniques and the same materials –varnished solid oak– in order to reproduce all the rich detail displayed by the originals when they were first produced. The Batlló chair...
Oak
$685
H 34.26 in W 20.08 in D 22.45 in
Postmodern Cardboard Sculptural Chair, Frank Gehry Wiggle Chair Style, 1980s
By Vitra, Frank Gehry
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Postmodern 1980s whimsical sculptural chair in brown cardboard and reminiscent of Frank Gehry's Wiggle Chair. The chair is surprisingly ergonomic and comfortable. It certainly adds playful flair and amusement to your space. Condition is good vintage condition with some minimal and acceptable signs of wear. Dimensions as follows: Depth: 22.5 in (57 cm), width: 20 in (51 cm), height: 34.25 in (87 cm), seat height: 17.3 in (44 cm). Having established his own firm in Los Angeles in 1961, Gehry saw a pile of corrugated cardboard outside his office and started to experiment. Inspired by a childhood spent exploring his grandfather’s hardware shop, Gehry set about creating the Easy Edges furniture series, highlighting the strength and versatility of cardboard. “I discovered that by alternating the direction of layers of corrugations, the finished board had enough strength to support a small car...
Paper
$9,924
H 29.14 in W 20.48 in D 18.51 in
Batlló Chair, By Antoni Gaudí, Varnished Oak, Spanish Modernism
By Antoni Gaudí
Located in Barcelona, ES
Solid varnished oak. A company that has always attributed such great importance to the author of the designs could never forget the great figures in history. That is why the BD cata...
Oak
Gerrit Rietveld, Berlin Chair / Authentic
By Gerrit Rietveld Jr.
Located in Zürich, CH
The relationship between the different shapes ensures a balanced composition. The careful alignment and proportions create an equilibrium, giving a sense of coherent design. Both ten...
Oak
$4,200 / item
H 29.5 in W 34.25 in D 22.25 in
'The Quarry Collection' Bantam Chair, by Studio Artist, Ryan Dart, USA, 2017
Located in Bellport, NY
The Bantam Chair from ,The Quarry Collection. Two available now. Ryan Dart is no ordinary designer and to quote him in his own words. We have found that...
Wood, Birch
French Caned Corner Chair
Located in New York, NY
18th century French hand-carved walnut corner chair with excellent detail. Lyrical shape with graceful arms - the chair back and shaped seat with antique caning. Fitted with vintage green leather...
Cane
Chainmail Chair by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Chainmail chair by Panorammma Materials: steel, nickel plating Dimensions: 120 x 60 x 60 cm Panorammma is a furniture design atelier based in Mexi...
Steel, Nickel
$17,935
H 37.01 in W 20.48 in D 21.26 in
Calvet chair in solid oak by Antoni Gaudí 20th century Spanish modernist design
By Antoni Gaudí
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gaudí designed a chair for the Casa Calvet. One that was rich in form and representative of his timeless creativity. The Calvet chair features outstandin...
Oak
Chair C by Umberto Bellardi Ricci
Located in Geneve, CH
Chair C by Umberto Bellardi Ricci. Dimensions: W 39.4 x D 39.4 x H 72.4 cm. Materials: aluminium, brass angles, mohair upholstery. Umberto...
Aluminum, Brass
Josef Hoffmann Armchair in Floral Upholstery
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Josef Hoffmann, armchair, Austria, design 1930s This beautifully shaped bentwood armchair designed by Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956) is characterized by a sculptural construction, fe...
Fabric, Beech
Sold
H 18.51 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Original and Documented Josef Hoffmann Stool, 1902 J&J Kohn, Early 20th Century
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
See image with the expertise by Dr. Gerti Draxler, Dorotheum Vienna, from the seating arrangement in the drawing room of the Biach House, 1902-1903, beechwood black stained, Backhaus...
Beech
Sold
H 28.35 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Wiener Werkstaette Attributed Early Viennese Josef Hoffmann Chair 1905, Original
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Beechwood white lacquered, seat newly upholstered with gray leather, restored, seems to be the predecessor model of the rare 797 chair by Thonet, compare with the prescription by the...
Beech
Wittmann Club 1910 Lounge Chair Designed by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
Nubuk blue leather Legs in beechwood black / silver.
Leather
Josef Frank and Josef Hoffmann Pair of No.811 Thonet Chairs
By Thonet, Josef Frank, Josef Hoffmann
Located in London, GB
A pair of model 811 chairs designed in the late 1920s, the chairs feature handwoven cane seats and backs which provide comfort and give lightness to the design. The No.811 is attribu...
Cane, Birch