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.
Joseph Hoffmann Guerridon and coffee table Vienn
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Milano, IT
Understated elegance, pure geometry, and essential functionality: this coffee table by Joseph Hoffmann, dating back to the 1930s, is a true masterpiece of Art Deco design. Designed w...
Wood
Art Nouveau Center Table By Josef Hoffmann, Solid Oak, Carved Feet - Austria
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Girona, Girona
Center table, stained solid oak and oak veneer, carved feet, two table tops, French polish. Design: Josef Hoffmann. Austria, Vienna, circa 1914.
Oak
Art Deco Center or Breakfast Table by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann with onyx top
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a “Cabinett” salon table, designed by Josef Hoffmann for the apartment of Dr. Johannes Salzer in Vienna, c. 1902. The table was later on reintroduced to...
Onyx
Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Center Table or Breakfast Table
By Stickley Brothers
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mission oak Arts & Crafts pedestal center table, breakfast table, or game table By Stickley USA, 2000 Measures: 38"W x 38"D x 29.75"H. Very good original vintage condi...
Oak
Art Deco Coffee Table
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Art Deco cofee table professionally stained and repolished.
Walnut
Wittmann Satztische Nesting Tables by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
Josef Hoffmann designed this simple four-part nest of tables at the turn of the century. * Ash black stained.
Ash
$3,500
H 25.75 in Dm 26 in
C. 1960s Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann of Austria Fledermaus Coffee / End Table
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Secessionist 'Fledermaus' Table, initially designed by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann of Austria in 1905. This example dates to the 1960s. The table is primarily constructed o...
Brass
Round Art Deco Style Dining or Center Table in Real Wood Veneer
Located in Ulm, DE
Art Deco style round dining table Macassar, high gloss lacquer Black lacquer Manufacture in the style of art deco, 2000s Dime...
Wood, Macassar
"Xilte" Coffee Table
By ADN Studio
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
The "Xitle" coffee table is part of ADN Studio´s Volcan collection. This collection seeks to go back to basics. It is a subtle and refined interpretation of the archytypical modern f...
Hardwood
Art Deco Center Table, Germany 1910-20
Located in Leimen, DE
This unique Art Deco table dates back to around 1910-20. It comes from Germany. The table has a walnut veneer and is decorated with geometric ebonized inlays of different types of wood. It has an octagonal top with a protecting glass on top. The beautiful base has 8 columns...
Walnut
$8,450
H 31.25 in Dm 47.25 in
Antique French Art Deco Round Dining or Center Table with Figured Walnut Top
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very beautifully designed & well-crafted French Art Deco table in walnut with round figured-walnut top resting on stylized cabriole legs. Offers a fresh & classic look with a fine ...
Walnut
$6,400Sale Price|46% Off
H 30.5 in W 40.25 in D 40.25 in
Stunning Exotic Wood Antique Breakfast Table or Center Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
If you are looking for something completely unique and special, look no further - this absolutely stunning antique breakfast table features the most beautiful exotic wood and would make an ideal Statement piece in any interior. We are unsure of the type of wood - however it is wood, possibly an Amboyna Burl, as we had completed a full restoration and noticed the wood grain was still present after sanding down a light portion of it. It appears to have been painstakingly assembled / tessellated with each piece on its edge highlighting the amazing burled wood grain. While we are a bit uncertain on some of the details of this table - one thing we know for sure is that it is one of the most remarkable pieces of furniture (or in this case functional art) that we have seen. As for age - we do not know when this was made but when we acquired it, it had decades of age giving us the feeling this is an antique piece from earlier 20th Century. We just completed a full restoration with a beautiful lacquer coat giving it plenty of protection for regular use as a center table, cafe or dining table, or as a large sculpture pedestal table. So beautiful, and so special - ready to grace any fine interior space as a Statement piece. This exotic wood breakfast table...
Wood
"Fledermaus" Coffee Table by Josef Hoffmann, Austria, ca. 1906
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare round beech wood table from the Vienna Secession, designed by the famous Austrian architect and designer Josef Hoffmann for the "Fledermaus" café in Vienna. FOR SHIPPING, REQUE...
Wood
Thonet Table by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Thonet table by Josef Hoffmann in very good original condition with signs of use.
Metal
$5,500
H 28.94 in Dm 25.6 in
20th Century Art Nouveau Fledermaus Coffee Table by Josef Hoffmann, AT ca. 1906
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable, early 20th century Art Nouveau "Fledermaus" coffee table/ side table, designed around 1906 by none other than the famous Austrian architect and founder of the renowed "Wi...
Beech
Round Table Designed by Josef Hoffmann for Bieffeplast, 1970s
By Josef Hoffmann, Bieffeplast
Located in taranto, IT
Extremely rare round metal table, Bieffeplast production from the 1970s based on a design by Josef Hoffman made of iron with the usual characteristic perforated workmanship, typic...
Metal, Iron
Wittmann Fledermaus Table Designed by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
FLEDERMAUS DESIGN: Josef Hoffmann Specially designed in 1907 for the Fledermaus cabaret in Vienna, this suite still stands for exceptional bentwood craft. The runners and the wooden...
Wood
Josef Hoffmann End Table
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Round end table by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte. Newly refinished.
Wood
Sold
H 30.32 in Dm 47.25 in
Early 20th Century Josef Hoffmann Black Lacquer Gueridon for Thonet, Vienna
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Brussels, BE
Early 20th century Josef Hoffmann black lacquer Gueridon for Thonet, Vienna Secession.
Metal
Sold
H 34.26 in W 20.48 in D 20.48 in
Flower Box or Jardiniere Designed by Josef Hoffmann for J & J Kohn, circa 1902
By Josef Hoffmann, J & J Kohn & Mundus
Located in Brussels, BE
The bentwood furniture of Jacob & Josef Kohn were among the most important furniture pieces of the Wiener Jugendstil. Through cooperation with some of the best designers of their tim...
Bentwood