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.
$8,922Sale Price|20% Off
Josef Hoffmann Egg Rocking Chair, Black Lacquered Beech, Italy, 1980
By Antonio Volpe, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Rare No. 267 egg rocking chair designed by Josef Hoffmann in 1922 and produced in a limited run by Societa Anonima Antonio Volpe in Udine, Italy circ...
Wood
No. 267 Egg Rocking Chair
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in London, GB
A rare No. 267 Egg Rocking Chair designed by Josef Hoffmann in 1922 and produced in a limited run by Società Anonima Antonio Volpe in Udine, Italy, circa 1980. Crafted from black la...
Rattan, Wood, Paint
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.5 in W 19.5 in D 20.75 in
1 Vintage Thonet Josef Hoffmann Style Bauhaus Chair
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Pasadena, TX
Josef Hoffmann (Austria, 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 favour of a new emphasis on simplicity of line. As 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. One vintage Josef Hoffmann Bauhaus style chair Classic Hoffmann style...
Bentwood
$1,164Sale Price|55% Off
H 45.28 in W 33.86 in D 55.12 in
Haruki Miyagima for Bonacina Italian Midcentuty Rattan Rocking Chair, 1960s
By Pierantonio Bonacina, Haruki Miyagima
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern design rocking chair model ‘BP 12’ designed by Haruki Miyagima and manufactured by Pierantonio Bonacina with frame in rattan, rush, and fabric upholstered ...
Fabric, Rattan, Rush
Bentwood Rocking Chair
By Thonet
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An attributed thonet rocking chair as it is not signed in good condition in tinted beech.
Beech
Bentwood rocking chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bentwood rocking chair by Thonet in excellent original codnition.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
$2,759
H 39.38 in W 43.31 in D 22.05 in
Thonet Rocking Chair No. 4, Beech Wood, Art Nouveau, Austria, 1920
By Thonet
Located in LYON, FR
Thonet rocking chair model no. 4. Circa 1920. Curved beech wood rocking chair from the 1920s by Thonet. Model number 4. Beautiful Art Nouveau lines. Recent cane work, well stretche...
Wood
Frank Reenskaug rocking chair model no.182
By Frank Reenskaug, Bramin Mobler
Located in Diest, BE
Danish Modern teak Model 182 rocking chair, designed by Frank Reenskaug for Bramin. A classic piece of Danish design. Small repair done on the top wooden backrest on the right see ph...
Wood
$500
H 39 in W 22 in D 46 in
Classic Bent Wood Rocking Chair, Model No.4 by Gebrüder Thonet, Vienna, Austria
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Classic Bent Wood Rocking Chair Model No.4 by Gebrüder Thonet originally designed and produced in 1860's Vienna, Austria, "this chair is in its original as found condition and it sh...
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
$1,528Sale Price|25% Off
H 45.28 in W 22.45 in D 40.56 in
1970s Thonet-Style Rocking Chair, Brass & Wicker, Mid-Century Modern
By Thonet
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
1970s Thonet-Style Rocking Chair, Brass & Wicker, Mid-Century Modern Charmy rocking chair from the 1970s inspired by the iconic bentwood designs of the 19th century, this chair ...
Brass
$4,200
H 28 in W 28.5 in D 27 in
Mid Century Italian Modern Sculptural Rocking Chair in Walnut after Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A beautiful and sculptural rocking chair in the style of Gio Ponti. This chair features solid walnut construction and newly upholstered seat cushions. Marked: Made in Italy. Circa 19...
Fabric, Walnut
Franco Albini Style Wicker Bamboo Rocking Chair
Located in Antwerp, BE
A rare Franco Albini style arm rattan rocking chair. This chair features a steam bent bamboo frame. This rare rocking chair was made in the late 1950s-1970s.
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
$1,400 / item
H 39.38 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Handmade Mexican Contemporary Conacaste Solid Wood Rocking Chair
By Estrella Mora Zamorano
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Mexican architect Estrella Zamorano's collection "was born with the intention of returning the identity of Mexico's history to design, creating links between artisans and designers, ...
Wood, Bentwood
Midcentury Rocking Chair
By TON a.s.
Located in Vienna, AT
Midcentury rocking chair still unrestored made by TON (former Thonet factory) delivery time 4-5 weeks
Beech, Bentwood
Josef Hoffmann No. 267 Egg Rocking Chair, 1980s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Renens, CH
Rocking chair originally designed by Josef Hoffmann during the 1920s. This lounge chair provides a very ergonomic seating experience, despite its rigid looks. It features an adjus...
Wood, Cane