Josef Hoffmann Wingback Chairs

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.

Creator: Josef Hoffmann

Rare and Important "Ohrenbackensessel" Chair by Josef Hoffmann

$28,000

Rare and Important "Ohrenbackensessel" Chair by Josef Hoffmann

By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Dallas, TX

A rare and important Josef Hoffmann "Ohrenbackensessel" Chair by J & J Kohn Vienna, 1903 Having a stained beech bentwood frame, and period reproduction fabric in excellent condition. Possibly the finest example of its kind in existence. From the estate of famed antiques dealer Amy...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Josef Hoffmann Wingback Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Bentwood

Purkersdorf armchairs By Josef Hoffmann - not signed

$4,970 / set

H 27.56 in W 24.02 in D 24.02 in

Purkersdorf armchairs By Josef Hoffmann - not signed

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in Paddington, NSW

Totally restored with the original patina. Not signed. Josef Hoffmann (1870–1956) was an influential Austrian architect and designer, known for his pivotal role in the development o...

Category

1980s Austrian Vintage Josef Hoffmann Wingback Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Lacquer

Armchair by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob and Josef Kohn, Vienna

$2,451

H 30.32 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in

Armchair by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob and Josef Kohn, Vienna

By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn

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...

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Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Josef Hoffmann Wingback Chairs

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

1 Vintage Thonet Josef Hoffmann Style Bauhaus Chair

$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...

Category

Mid-20th Century European Bauhaus Josef Hoffmann Wingback Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Rare & Early 1900's Pair of Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Armchairs by J & J Kohn

$3,500

H 29 in W 22 in D 21 in

Rare & Early 1900's Pair of Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Armchairs by J & J Kohn

By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Oakland, CA

Pair of early 20th Century Josef Hoffman Fledermaus armchairs, constructed by Josef and Jacob Kohn of Austria. Newly upholstered in Josef Hoffmann designed linen fabric. The finish a...

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Wingback Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Lacquer

Important Ottorino Aloisio Wingback Chair in Green Mohair, Colli, Italy, 1957

$24,510

H 42.92 in W 29.93 in D 31.5 in

Important Ottorino Aloisio Wingback Chair in Green Mohair, Colli, Italy, 1957

By Colli Torino

Located in The Hague, NL

This exceptional wingback chair was designed by Ottorino Aloisio in 1957. The chair was manufactured by the Turin workshop of Pier Luigi Colli. The ...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Hoffmann Wingback Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut, Mohair, Silk, Velvet

Rare Armchair by Josef Hoffmann

$2,980 / item

H 31.89 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in

Rare Armchair by Josef Hoffmann

By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet-Mundus

Located in Vienna, AT

Rare beech bentwood frame, leather upholstery. Designed circa 1900-1910 by Josef Hoffmann for Cabaret Fledermaus in Vienna. Made by Thonet. Delivery time about 4-6 weeks. Price per c...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Josef Hoffmann Wingback Chairs

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Egg Rocking Chair by Josef Hoffmann

$8,870Sale Price|20% Off

H 95 in W 165 in D 74 in

Egg Rocking Chair by Josef Hoffmann

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...

Category

1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Hoffmann Wingback Chairs

Materials

Wood

Set of Four Josef Hoffmann Armloffel Chairs Made by Wittmann, Austria

$10,271 / set

H 37.8 in W 25.99 in D 20.48 in

Set of Four Josef Hoffmann Armloffel Chairs Made by Wittmann, Austria

By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann

Located in Praha, CZ

- Chairs designed by Josef Hoffmann and made by Wittmann of Austria - Originally designed in 1908, these examples are from the latter part of the 20th century. - Ebonized ash fram...

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1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Hoffmann Wingback Chairs

Materials

Wood, Leather

Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstätte Haus Brauner chair 1903

$5,602

H 32.68 in W 21.26 in D 19.3 in

Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstätte Haus Brauner chair 1903

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in Purkersdorf, AT

This rare chair comes from the estate of a Viennese antiques dealer. He acquired it in the 1970s with the provenance statement that it came from the Villa Brauner (Geweygasse 11, Hoh...

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Josef Hoffmann Wingback Chairs

Materials

Maple

Rare Pair of Josef Hoffmann Model 725 B/F Chairs for J. & J. Kohn

$20,000 / set

H 33.25 in W 23.5 in D 22.75 in

Rare Pair of Josef Hoffmann Model 725 B/F Chairs for J. & J. Kohn

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of fantastic Vienna Secession bentwood chairs with upholstery designed by Josef Hoffman (1870-1956) and manufactured by J. & J. Kohn circa early 20th century. These armchairs are model 725 B/F designed in 1905 and are dated from the original production in the Austrian workshop. Quite a rare original pair, they feature ebonized bentwood frame with corner ball enforcement details and wine-red leather upholstery accented conforming decorative round tacks along the edge. Both retain factory label remnants as well as manufacturer's name branded to the underside. Provenance: Purchased from Modernism Gallery...

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Wingback Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Secession Armchair by Josef Hoffmann

$14,005 / set

H 36.62 in W 24.81 in D 18.51 in

Secession Armchair by Josef Hoffmann

By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj

Secession armchair by Josef Hoffmann professionally stained and repolished. Signed J&J Kohn Teschen Austria.

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Wingback Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Josef Hoffmann Beehive Dining Chairs

$14,005

H 37.01 in W 14.57 in D 15.75 in

Josef Hoffmann Beehive Dining Chairs

By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj

Josef Hoffmann beehive dining chairs professionally stained and repolished.

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Wingback Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Josef Hoffmann wingback chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Josef Hoffmann wingback chairs 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 wingback chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Prices for Josef Hoffmann wingback chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $16,000 and can go as high as $28,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $22,000.

Questions About Josef Hoffmann Wingback Chairs

What did Josef Hoffmann invent?
1 Answer
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.