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.
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
Josef Hoffmann "Haus Koller" Armchair for Wittmann – Viennese Secession Elegance
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Dronten, NL
A stunning Haus Koller Armchair designed by Josef Hoffmann and produced by the esteemed Austrian manufacturer Wittmann. Originally conceived in 1911 for the Koller House in Oberwalte...
Velvet, Beech
Customizable Wittmann Leather Kubus Armchair 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
$10,000 / set
Josef Hoffmann Pair of Cabinet Chairs
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Highland, IN
Designed in 1903, for the Vienna home of Dr. Salzer, Josef Hoffmann's cabinet chairs are a timeless design that typifies his Wiener Werkstätte aesthetic. The rationalist cube form is...
Upholstery, Wood
Customizable Wittmann Club 1910 Leather Lounge Chair by Josef Hoffmann
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
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 Villa Gallia Lounge Chair by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
This suite was created in 1913 for the Gallia family’s apartment in Wohllebengasse, Vienna. Price listed for starting fabric.
Fabric
Josef Hoffmann Chair for Jacob and Josef Kohn Furniture
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Josef Hoffmann Chair Model 725 circa 1903-1905. Rare variation with caned seat and back. Usually found with upholstered seat and back. Chair is sometimes said to be by Gustav Siegel ...
Cane, Beech
$7,398Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Salon Set by Josef Hoffmann, 1910s, Excellent Condition
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
Art nouveau sofa set Thonet, J/J Kohn, upholstered in genuine leather, designed by architect Josef Hoffmann for the Fledermaus cabaret in Vienna, Austria, completely restored, newly ...
Leather, Bentwood
$2,458 / set
H 29.14 in W 22.64 in D 18.12 in
2 Wittmann Fledermaus Chairs by Josef Hoffmann, Austria (Customizable)
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Argelato, BO
Set di due sedie modello "Fledermaus" (che significa "pipistrello" in tedesco), progettato dall'architetto e designer austriaco Josef Hoffmann nel 1907. Originariamente concepito per...
Bentwood
$3,980 / set
H 36.62 in W 15.36 in D 16.54 in
Set of 4 Bat Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann Austria
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
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.
Elm
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
$4,158Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 20.08 in D 17.33 in
4 Fledermaus "bat"Dining Chairs by Josef Hoffmann by Wittmann, Austria
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Fledermaus Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann, 1980s Fledermaus set in Art Nouveau style consisting of four chairs, executed by the company Wittmann. The design is by Josef Hoffm...
Cotton, Beech, Bentwood
$1,295Sale Price|76% Off
H 29.53 in W 25.2 in D 26.78 in
Wittmann Merwyn Lounge Chair by Sebastian Herkner n STOCK
By Wittmann, Sebastian Herkner
Located in New York, NY
Merwyn Lounge chair with armrests frame: combined wood and metal legs: brass satin matt material for piping : piping as armrest shell Upholstered in Yukon snow - cat F outside c...
Leather, Velvet
Armchair by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob and Josef Kohn, Vienna
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Kohn catalog no 423 on the 1st picture chair which is already sold. The chair is still in original condition (pic.2,3) so you have the possibility to choose the color of the wood and fabric or leather. The price incl. shellack polish and traditionally upholstery with "Backhausen" fabric or leather. Delivery time about 4-6 weeks Lit. Giovanni Renzi, Il mobile moderno, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Milano 2008, S. 226; Julio Vives Chillida, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Catalogo (estratto) dei mobili in legno curvato, ca. 1912, o. O. 2008, S. 2, Nr. 423 F u. C.; Ausst. Kat. Josef Hoffmann und sein Kreis, Galerie Alt Wien...
Beech, Bentwood
Josef Hoffman Fledermaus Chair by Wittmann
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...
Upholstery, Beech
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.
Beech
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
$3,863 / set
H 29.14 in W 22.64 in D 18.12 in
Josef Hoffmann, Pair of Fledermaus Chairs, Austria, 1905 (First Edition)
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Argelato, BO
Pair of chair in bent beech designed by the illustrious Viennese architect Joseph Hoffmann for the Cabaret Fledermaus in Vienna in 1907. In their sober and unmistakable style, they ...
Bentwood
$10,208Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 15.75 in D 19.69 in
Wittmann - Josef Hoffmann - Fledermaus - Chair (6) - Beech
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in Budapest, HU
This remarkable set of six **Fledermaus chairs**, designed by the visionary Austrian architect **Josef Hoffmann** in the early 1900s and masterfully crafted by **Wittmann**, represen...
Leather, Beech
Josef Hoffmann “Cabinett” Lounge Chair, 1903, Blue Velvet
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Weesp, NL
Josef Hoffmann “Cabinett” Lounge Chair, 1903 – Produced by Wittmann Möbelwerkstätten, Austria An exceptional and iconic example of early 20th-century Viennese design, this Cabinett ...
Mohair, Velvet, Wood
Pair of Josef Hoffmann Leather Kubus Armchairs by Wittmann
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare authentic pair of labeled leather Kubus armchairs or lounge chairs designed in 1910 by Austrian Vienna secession designer Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956 Austrian). Manufactured by Wi...
Leather, Beech
Josef Hoffmann Allegasse Armchair by Wittmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in Dronten, NL
This arm chair was designed in 1912 for Dr. Hugo Koller’s music room as part of the furnishings at his Vienna apartment in Alleegasse (now Argentinierstrasse). Manufactured in 2010 b...
Wool, Beech
Sold
H 36 in W 37 in D 27 in
Haus Koller Lounge Chairs Designed by Josef Hoffman Newly Upholstered - Pair
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Chicago, IL
Haus Koller Lounge Chairs Designed by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann Newly Upholstered in a Blue Mohair with a Gold/Blue Trim- Pair These beautifully designed Art Deco style Channel ba...
Mohair, Upholstery
Pair of Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann Kubus Chairs in Dark Brown Leather
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of dark brown leather Josef Hoffmann Kubus armchairs or lounge chairs, manufactured by Wittmann in Vienna in the late 20th century. The original de...
Leather
Sold
H 31 in W 22 in D 21 in
Josef Hoffman Pair of Secessionist Bentwood Barrel Back Arm Chairs for J&J Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann, J & J Kohn & Mundus
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These lounge chairs from the early 1900s have an unusual bentwood design that makes them extremely rare. They have been reupholstered in a beautiful emerald green velvet and also the...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 36.62 in D 30.32 in
Leather Kubus Lounge Chair by Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann, Black Leather
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in BUSSUM, NH
Rare Kubus Lounge chair. The Kubus chair was designed in 1910 for the Buenos Aires exhibition to celebrate the Argentina's independence. A true icon in P...
Leather
Sold
H 31 in W 22 in D 21 in
Josef Hoffman Pair of Secessionist Bentwood Barrel Back Arm Chairs for J&J Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann, J & J Kohn & Mundus
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These lounge chairs from the early 1900s have an unusual bentwood design that makes them extremely rare. They have been totally refinished and reupholstered.
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Josef Hoffmann Leather Kubus Armchairs by Wittmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare authentic pair of labeled leather Kubus armchairs or lounge chairs designed in 1910 by Austrian Vienna secession designer Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956...
Leather, Beech
Pair Josef Hoffmann "Palais Stoclet" Leather Lounge Chairs
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Josef Hoffmann "Palais Stoclet" leather club chairs. The chairs are leather with ebonized wood legs.
Leather, Wood
Josef Hoffman Lounge Chairs
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Atlanta, GA
Josef Hoffman architectural lounge chairs, originally designed in the late 1910s, these examples are later editions, probably produced in the 1980s in It...
Upholstery, Wood
Koloman Moser/Josef Hoffmann "Purkersdorf" Armchairs
By Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser
Located in Long Island City, NY
Koloman Moser/Josef Hoffmann “Purkersdorf” armchairs reproduced by Wittmann Moebel Werkstaetten, Austria. These chairs, also knows as Recreation J...
Wood