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.
Set of Ten Josef Hoffmann for Wittman Villa Ast Dining Chairs
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An elegant and sophisticated set of ten "Villa Ast" dining chairs—originally conceived around 1910 for the Villa Ast in Vienna. The rare chairs were designed by Josef Hoffmann and ex...
Fabric, Beech
Pair of Stendig Prague Armchairs by Josef Hoffman
By Josef Hoffmann, Stendig Co., Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic and iconic Prague armchairs designed by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet. Imported from Czechoslovakia by Stendig in the 1960s. Wood in good shape. Original cane needs to be redone ...
Cane, Bentwood
Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Chairs by Wittmann, Set of 8
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Originally designed between 1905 and 1907 for Vienna's avant-garde Cabaret Fledermaus, the chair bridges the ornamental language of Art Nouveau with the geometric restraint of early ...
Beech
Eight Josef Hoffmann "Fledermaus" Dining Chairs for Thonet. Original, 1930s.
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Kansas City, MO
The Iconic Fledermaus (German for "bat") chairs designed by the visionary Austrian architect and designer Josef Hoffmann in 1907 for the Cabaret Fledermaus in Vienna. It is a hallmar...
Upholstery, Beech
Czechoslovak modern straw black wood chairs 811 Joseph Hoffmann Drevounia, 1980s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in MIlano, IT
Czechoslovak modern straw and black wood chairs 811 by Joseph Hoffmann for Drevounia, 1980s Set of six chairs model 811 featuring squared seats and backrests with rounded corners, in...
Straw, Wood
Classic Set of four Fledermaus Chair by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Set of four Fledermaus Chair by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann..Vintage Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Chairs.Retain original metal Wittmann badge/label .Minor staining to the Macint...
Fabric, Wood
Set of Four Thonet Prague Bentwood Armchairs by Josef Hoffman
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A refined set of four Thonet bentwood labeled and stamped armchairs designed by Josef Hoffman, known as the "Model 811 Prague" chair. The chairs are constructed in bent beechwood and...
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
Classic Josef Hoffman for Ligna Set of Five Bentwood and gut Chairs / Czech
By Josef Hoffmann, Ligna
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Set of five No. 811 Thonet arm chairs or Prague chairs designed by Josef Hoffman made by Ligna / Czechoslovaka.. The chairs feature an iconic...
Cane, Bentwood
$4,720Sale Price / set|20% Off
Josef Hoffman for Thonet Set of Six Bentwood and Cane Chairs
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Pasadena, TX
Rare pair of No. 811 Thonet chairs or Prague chairs designed by Josef Hoffman. The chairs feature an iconic bentwood frame design with square shaped arms and a caned seat and back. E...
Bentwood
Art Nouveau Fledermaus dining Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann, set of 3
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Fledermaus set in Art Nouveau style consisting of three chairs, executed by the company Wittmann. The design is by Josef Hoffmann from 1905 for the Cabaret Fledermaus and was origina...
Cotton, Beech
$2,940Sale Price / set|27% Off
1900s Set of Four Bentwood and Cane Dining Chairs by Josef Hoffmann, Labeled
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Rare Set of four Labeled Austrian Bentwood & Cane Dining Chairs by Josef Hoffmann - Austria early 1900s. This exceptional set of dining chairs is a premier example of early 20th...
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
Josef Hoffmann 'Fledermaus' Chairs Model No.728, Set of Ten
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Dallas, TX
A scarce set of ten early first edition "Fledermaus" chairs designed by Josef Hoffmann for the Wiener Werkstatte and featured in the J. & J. Kohn catalogues as model no. 728. Hoffman...
Leather, Wood
4 Thonet Chairs, Model Prague No. 811, First Half of the 20th Century
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Herentals, BE
The chairs were designed by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet around 1920 and executed by FMG - Fabryka Mebli Gietych - in Poland in the first half of the 20th century. They have been reupho...
Fabric, Bentwood
Josef Hoffmann No. 729/2F Bentwood Barrel Chairs - Set of 4
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Josef Hoffmann No. 729/2F Bentwood Barrel Chairs - Set of 4 Each chair measures: 23 wide x 19 deep x 31.25 inches high, with a seat height of 19 and arm height/chair clearance of 30...
Upholstery, Bentwood
Dining Room Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, Austria 1930s
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Wien, AT
This refined chair, part of a rare set of six attributed to Josef Hoffmann and dating to circa 1935, stands as a compelling expression of the architect’s mature design language, in w...
Wicker, Beech
$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
$2,047Sale Price / set|20% Off
Italian 1980s Minimalist Chairs Bonaldo Design Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Metal Chairs ner 1980 J. Hoffmann
Metal
Secession dining chairs no.413 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession dining chairs no.413 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet Debrecen in very nice original condition.
Beech, 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
Vintage Bent Wood & Wicker Cafe Chairs by Josef Hoffman for Ligna
By Ligna, Josef Hoffmann
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
Josef Hoffmann Beehive Dining Chairs
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Josef Hoffmann beehive dining chairs professionally stained and repolished.
Bentwood
4er Set Mid Century Stühle Thonet Modell 811 Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 4er Set Bugholzstühle (Modell: 811) von Thonet zum Verkauf an. Das seltene Modell wurde von Josef Hoffmann entworfen und besticht durch seine funktionale...
Wicker, Beech
Black Dining Armchairs designed by Josef Hoffmann for Mundus, Yugoslavia 1960s
By Thonet-Mundus, 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 with cane seats and bac...
Cane, Beech
$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
Great Set of 14 Armchairs by Thonet, Austria Josef Hoffmann Design
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Rome, IT
Set of 14 armchairs by Thonet, Austria The chairs were a part of a set made on order for a Villa in Götzens, Tirol, Austria Designer: Josef Hoffmann Materials : Steamed bent beechwo...
Beech, Ebony
Set of Six Josef Hoffmann-designed “Prague” Bentwood & Cane Chairs
By Josef Frank, Josef Hoffmann
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a mix of the classic seating styled after the iconic 1925 Model No. 811 "Prague" chair. Armless side chairs in the front row and armchairs with fluid, looping bentwood ar...
Cane, Bentwood
Set of four iconic cane bentwood chairs designed by Josef Hoffmann, model no. 81
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Houston, TX
Set of four iconic cane bentwood chairs designed by Josef Hoffmann, model no. 811, and produced by FMG, circa 1960s. These chairs are original and labeled, as shown in the photos. Cr...
Bentwood
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
$27,925Sale Price|20% Off
Great Set of 14 Armchairs by Thonet, Austria Josef Hoffmann Design
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Rome, IT
Set of 14 armchairs by Thonet, Austria The chairs were a part of a set made on order for a Villa in Götzens, Tirol, Austria Designer: Josef Hoffmann Materials : Steamed bent beechwo...
Beech, Ebony
$24,201Sale Price|20% Off
Great Set of 8 Armchairs by Thonet, Austria Josef Hoffmann Design
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Rome, IT
Set of eight armchairs by Thonet, Austria. The chairs were a part of a set made on order for a Villa in Götzens, Tirol, Austria Designer: Josef Hoffmann Materials : Steamed bent ...
Beech, Ebony
Great Set of 14 Armchairs by Thonet, Austria Josef Hoffmann Design
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Rome, IT
Set of 14 armchairs by Thonet, Austria The chairs were a part of a set made on order for a Villa in Götzens, Tirol, Austria Designer: Josef Hoffmann Materials : Steamed bent beechwo...
Beech, Ebony
$1,861 / set
Secession dining chairs N369A by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession dining chairs N369A by Josef Hoffmann in very nice original condition. Signed with importers lable.
Rattan, Beech, 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