Born in Vienna in 1868, Koloman Moser briefly attended trade school, honoring his father’s wish to see him in commerce. But he soon surrendered to his artistic inclinations, enrolling in 1885 in Vienna’s Academy of Fine Arts, where he studied painting.
When his father died unexpectedly in 1888, leaving the family in financial straits, Moser (1868–1918) helped out by doing illustrations for books and magazines. Meanwhile, he continued his painting studies, at the academy and then at the School of Arts and Crafts, starting in 1892. That was also the year that Moser, along with other young artists revolting against the Viennese art world’s devotion to naturalism, formed the Siebner Club, the precursor to the Vienna Secession.
Moser’s introduction during his last term at school to Gustav Klimt’s Allegory of Sculpture proved a turning point for the young artist. Christian Witt-Dörring, guest curator of the 2018–19 exhibition “Koloman Moser: Universal Artist between Gustav Klimt and Josef Hoffmann” at the MAK in Vienna, noted a change in the artist’s drawing style. “Primarily inspired by the art of Japan, [Klimt] introduces new paper sizes, fragmented image details, and an emphasis on the line as opposed to the surface,” wrote Witt-Dörring in the exhibition’s catalogue.
A year later, in 1897, Moser together with Klimt, Carl Moll, Joseph Olbrich and Josef Hoffmann founded the Vienna Secession, a union of artists and designers determined to upend Austria’s artistic conservatism. The members were committed to making total works of art: Gesamtkunstwerken. Looking to the English Arts and Crafts Movement, with its guiding principle of unity of the arts, the group attempted to bring art back into everyday life and introduce a local modernism to fin-de-siècle Vienna. Moser, whose membership in the club also afforded him entry into upper-class Viennese society, turned his back on oil painting and forged ahead with Gesamtkunstwerk.
Moser created everything from exhibition design to facade ornamentation for the Secession Building, to graphic materials. Moser also produced posters and advertisements in his “modern style” for various companies. In 1898, he presented his first decor pieces, including hand-knotted rugs and cushion covers. In 1899, Moser began what would become a lifelong professorship at the School of Arts and Crafts. His repertoire now expanded to include furniture, ceramics and patterns like his trademark checkerboard design. He also moved into scenography and fashion and established himself as an interior designer.
The artist decorated his own home in 1902, after which he received a series of important commissions, notably the villa of textile industrialist Fritz Waerndorfer. It was Waerndorfer who provided the financial support that enabled Moser and Hoffmann in 1903 to found the Wiener Werkstätte, a platform for fully realizing their ideal of Gesamtkunstwerk. Two years later, Moser married Edith Mautner von Markhof, the daughter to one of Austria’s great industrial barons, and his work thrived.
In 1907, the Wiener Werkstätte ran into financial trouble. Losing faith in the unity of the arts and disillusioned with the group’s dependency on wealthy patrons like Waerndorfer, Moser left the Werkstätte. He returned to his original discipline, painting, which he continued to practice until his untimely death from cancer, in 1918.
Today, Koloman Moser’s work, from his metal vases to his jewelry to his interiors, remains sought-after and revered. Browse Moser's radically modern creations at 1stDibs.
Josef Hoffmann&Koloman Moser, Wiener Werkstaette Vienna Secession Pendant Edit
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
A single pendant from the chandelier for the entrance of the Wiener Werkstaette-Showrooms in Neustiftgasse 32/34 in Vienna Hammered or plain - another image shows the complete chande...
Crystal, Brass
Kolo Koloman Moser/Josef Hoffmann Opaline Glass Pendant Jugendstil, Re-Edition
By Koloman Moser, Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Single pendant often used by Josef Hoffmann as well as by Koloman Moser. We have the colored glasses in several versions and also the white opaline glasses. Length is custom made! Mo...
Brass
Koloman Moser for Otto Wagner "Steinhof Church" Chandelier 36 Flames Re Edition
By Otto Wagner, Koloman Moser, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Magnificent chandelier for the "Steinhof Church" by Otto Wagner, different measures and settings are possible; As Kolo Moser did several of such designs and was involved in the plann...
Brass
Jugendstil Vienna Secessionist Koloman Moser Pendant, Re-Edition
By Koloman Moser, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Basic pendant which can be delivered with bigger glasses as well and total drop is coustom made Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL...
Brass
Koloman Moser and Josef Hoffmann Jugendstil Chandelier, Re-Edition
By Koloman Moser, Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
A very nice version from the often used design by Koloman Moser as well as by Josef Hoffmann, the total drop will be custom made. Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstaette A...
Brass
Koloman Moser Attributed to Bakalowits & Söhne Pendants with loetz glass shade
By Koloman Moser, Bakalowits & Söhne
Located in Wien, AT
Koloman Moser Attributed to Bakalowits & Söhne Pendants with loetz glass shade around 1908 The glass shades were obtained and from Bohemian glass manufacturers, amongst them also the...
Brass
$5,626 / item
KM66-Koloman Moser Floor-Lamp - Edition
By Koloman Moser, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A higher varation of the famous Kolo Moser design from the first year of the historical Wiener Werkstaette
Brass
Koloman Moser / Josef Hoffmann / Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Lamp, Re-Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
Small and elegant wall or ceiling lamp; the depth is including Edison-bulb. The hole for the bulb has 6.5 cm or 2.55". Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstätte, now manufactu...
Brass
Koloman Moser Crystal Glass and Brass Jugendstil Ceiling Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Koloman Moser, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Pendant for the apartment Margaret und Jerome Stonborough. Margaret (Gretl) was the sister of the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. Famous is the painting made by Gustav Klimt on the ...
Crystal, Metal
Koloman Moser/Wiener Werkstätte Brass Table Lamp, Re Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Koloman Moser, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful variation of a table lamp from the very early period of the Wiener Werkstätte Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list ...
Brass
Koloman Moser, Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Ceiling Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
Ceiling light with seven opaline glass bulbs, total drop custom made. Josef Hoffmann and Koloman Moser were using these designs! Glasses with colored spots with an additional charge ...
Brass
Koloman Moser for the Wiener Werstaette Jugendstil Wall Light, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Koloman Moser, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
For the fashion saloon of the Floege-sisters, early 20th century Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list and label our fixtures.
Crystal, Brass
Josef Hoffman, Showroom of Wiener Werkstaette Chandelier Jugendstil, Re-Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
Chandelier for the entrance of the WW-showrooms in Neustiftgasse 32/34 in Vienna, design 1903. Four single pendants, mounted on a ceiling-plate. Hammered or plain. The original star...
Crystal, Metal
Jugendstil Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Ceiling Light with Bulbs, Re Editi
By Woka Lamps, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
Ceiling light with ten opaline glass bulbs, total drop custom made. Josef Hoffmann and Koloman Moser were using these designs! Glasses with colored spots with an additional charge o...
Brass
Otto Wagner & Koloman Moser Wall Light for "Steinhofchurch", Re-Edition
By Otto Wagner, Woka Lamps, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
Wall-lamp for the famous Steinhof-Church in Vienna, built in 1904. Available in different finishes. Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstaette Atelier, now custom-made produc...
Brass
Koloman Moser Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Table Lamp Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and well balaced lamp, which can be used as a wall lamp as well as a table lamp. Please compare the Ornament with that on the furniture-keys of the Wiener Werkstatte All...
Brass
Koloman Moser/Otto Wagner "Steinhof Church" Chandelier, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Otto Wagner, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
Variation of the magnificent chandelier for the "Steinhof Church" by Otto Wagner, different measures and settings are possible Most components according to the UL regulations, with ...
Brass
Kolo(man) Moser desc lamp Handhammered brass, silver-plated, Glasstubes
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
In the year the Wiener Werkstätte was founded, Kolo Moser designed several table lamps, including four that resemble each other due to their dome-shaped covers. The lamps are recorde...
Silver Plate, Brass
Jugendstil brass chandelier by Koloman Moser
By Koloman Moser
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Jugendstil brass chandelier by Koloman Moser in excellent condition.
Brass
Koloman Moser & Wiener Werkstaette Jugendstil Table Lamp Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
Very important, early design, presumably one of the first lamps produced at the Wiener Werkstaette, hammered originally. Variation from several designs as per Wiener Werkstaette patt...
Crystal, Brass
Otto Wagner&Koloman Moser Chandelier "Kirche Am Steinhof", 48 Flames, Re Edit
By Koloman Moser, Woka Lamps, Otto Wagner
Located in Vienna, AT
Magnificent chandelier for the "Steinhof Church" by Otto Wagner, different measures and settings are possible. Glass-balls etched and faceted. The color of the glasses on the canopy ...
Brass
Koloman 'Kolo' Moser Table or Wall Lamp in One, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
Table and wall lamp in one: "Pivot" Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list and label our fixtures.
Brass
$4,438
H 6.7 in Dm 12.21 in
Otto Wagner Ceiling Light for the Vienna Metropolitan Railways Around 1900
By Otto Wagner
Located in Wien, AT
As the most important Austrian urban planner of the time, Otto Wagner was commissioned with the planning and construction of the Vienna metropolitan railway system, which he implemen...
Brass
$22,387
H 14.18 in Dm 7.88 in
“Night Castel” Lamp by Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Austria, circa 1920
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in London, GB
“Night Castel” Lamp by Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Austria, circa 1920. Made from brass and embossed on the side with Hoffmann’s monogram “JH” and “WIENER WERK STÄTTE,” the l...
Brass
Viennese Hanging Lamp circa 1905 with Loetz Lamp Shade Koloman Moser
By Bakalowits & Söhne
Located in Wien, AT
Viennese hanging lamp, circa 1905 with Loetz lampshade Glass Shade Koloman Moser polished and stove enameled The length of the chandelier is easy adjustable for rooms of differing...
Brass
$3,900
H 4.5 in Dm 8 in
Otto Wagner Jugendstil "Viennese Tramway" Wall or Ceiling Light, ONE Available
By Otto Wagner
Located in North Miami, FL
These small sized lights have been rewired for USA. Wall or ceiling light with opaline glass, pictured in brass, designed for the Viennese trams. We are selling them individually in ...
Brass
Jugendstil Pendant with Palme Koenig Glass Shade Vienna Around 1910
Located in Wien, AT
Jugendstil Pendant with palme koenig glass shade vienna around 1910 Polished and stove enamelled.
Brass
Viennese Hanging Lamp circa 1905 with Loetz Lamp Shade Koloman Moser
By Bakalowits & Söhne
Located in Wien, AT
Viennese hanging lamp, circa 1905 with Loetz lampshade Glass shade Koloman Moser polished and stove enameled The length of the chandelier is easy adjustable for rooms of differing...
Brass
Large Jugendstil Alabaster Pendant Light with Dramatic Natural Veining
Located in Lisse, NL
A striking and generously proportioned alabaster pendant light, measuring approximately 19.75 inches in diameter, executed during the European Jugendstil period. Carved from a single...
Alabaster, Brass, Wire
Vienna secession desk lamp by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Vienna secession desk lamp by Josef Hoffmann in very nice original condition.
Brass
$7,619
H 7.09 in Dm 12.01 in
Jugendstil Brass Glass Vintage Ceiling Light Flushmount by Otto Wagner, Vienna
By Otto Wagner
Located in Vienna, AT
Jugendstil brass glass vintage ceiling light / flushmount / ceiling lamp, which was designed by Otto Wagner, Vienna 1910 - 1912. Otto Wagner (1841-1918 ) was a famed Austrian archite...
Brass
Art Nouveau Hector Guimard Bronze Chandelier Re-Edition
By Sofar
Located in Rebais, FR
Bronze chandelier from an original Hector Guimard drawing. Nickel patinated finish.
Bronze
Jugendstil brass chandelier by Koloman Moser
By Koloman Moser
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Jugendstil brass chandelier by Koloman Moser in excellent condition.
Brass
Chandelier by Cari Zalloni for Bakalowits & Söhne
By Bakalowits & Söhne, Cari Zalloni
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass/glass chandelier, 1965, designed by Cari Zalloni (1937-2012), graduate of the master class for the Design Academy for Applied Arts under Professor Oswald Haerdtl. Brass frame, ...
Crystal, Brass
2 Art Nouveau ceiling lamps by Koloman Moser for Wiener Werkstätten by WOKA
By Woka Lamps, Koloman Moser
Located in München, DE
A pair of beautiful Art Nouveau Secession style ceiling or wall lamps. Designed in 1904 by Koloman (Kolo) Moser, originally for the Wiener Werkstätten. Manufactured by WOKA Lamps Vie...
Metal, Chrome
Vienna 1900 Brass Ceiling Lamp with Loetz Glass Shades by Koloman Moser
By Loetz Glass, Koloman Moser
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Vienna 1900 brass ceiling lamp with Johann Loetz Witwe glass shades designed by Koloman Moser red and white. This ceiling lamp was known in Vienna as "pe...
Brass
Koloman Moser/Josef Hoffmann/Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
Small and elegant wall or ceiling lamp; the depth is including Edison-bulb. The hole for the bulb has 6.5 cm or 2.55" Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstätte, now manufactu...
Brass
Jugendstil Vienna Secessionist Koloman Moser Pendant, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
Basic pendant which can be delivered with bigger glasses as well and total drop is coustom made All components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will U...
Brass
Sold
H 47.24 in Dm 11.81 in
Art Nouveau Ceiling Lamp Chandelier Design Kolo Moser by Bakalowits, Vienna 1910
By Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
Most elegant Art Nouveau ceiling lamp or chandelier with three bulbs made by Bakalowits & Sons. Vienna (Austria), manufactured circa 1905-1910. Specifications: Three bulbs made ...
Brass
Koloman Moser/Josef Hoffmann/Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Lamp Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
Small and elegant wall or ceiling lamp; the depth is including Edison-bulb. The hole for the bulb has 6.5 cm or 2.55". Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstätte, now manufactu...
Brass
Koloman Moser Floor Lamp
By Koloman Moser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Design from the early period of the Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1903. This is a later reissue, circa 1980. Nickel finish. Dome over two medium base sockets. Perforated sheet metal creat...
Unique Koloman Moser Designed Solid Silver Lamp Reproduced by Woka Lamps
By Woka Lamps, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
Very important, early design, presumably one of the first lamps originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstätte. Koloman Moser designed several variation of this lamp, as per Wiener Werkstätte pattern-book WWMB 3, S 193, works-number: M 88-90. In 2003 reproduced by Woka Lamps Vienna on the occasion of the centennial of the founding of the Wiener Werkstätte in 1903, exhibited at the WOKA Gallery...
Silver