Skip to main content

Koloman Moser Cabinets

Austrian, 1868-1918

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.

1
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
39
79
75
68
68
Creator: Koloman Moser
Secessionist Showcase by Koloman Moser for J. & J. Kohn - Vienna, 1901
By Koloman Moser
Located in Brussels , BE
This showcase was first presented as part of a drawing room ensemble at the Winter Exhibition at the Austrian Museum of Art and Industry (MAK) in 1901. In the following year, it was ...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Koloman Moser Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Art Deco Showcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Available in NY
Category

Mid-20th Century French Koloman Moser Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Showcase
Art Deco Showcase
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Showcase Display Cabinet, 1960s
Located in London, England
SHOWCASE / DISPLAY CABINET, 1960s, black lacquered metal handles and drawers in teak, loose glass tops.
Category

1960s Vintage Koloman Moser Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Teak

Showcase Display Cabinet, 1960s
Showcase Display Cabinet, 1960s
H 53.15 in W 31.5 in D 10.24 in
Playhouse Modular Showcase Cabinet by Matteo Cibic
By Matteo Cibic, Scarlet Splendour
Located in Kolkata, IN
Playhouse Modular Showcase Cabinet by Matteo Cibic is a modular cabinet that can be used singularly or be grouped as customized cabinets. The modules may be with or without doors. I...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Koloman Moser Cabinets

Materials

Resin

Viennese Secession Etagere / Magazine Stand in the Style of Koloman Moser
By Koloman Moser
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite early 20th century ebonized wood etagere / magazine stand / bookcase that suits any contemporary or traditional environment. The etagere / magazine stand has a pure, sober form with elegant brass rod shelves and supports. Subtle detailed brass caps finish the piece along with a modern crest at the top composed of brass rods with ebonized black balls.
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Koloman Moser Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Original of the Time Marked "Wiener Werkstätte" Koloman Moser Bookcase / Cabinet
By Wiener Werkstätte, Koloman Moser, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare cabinet from the short period when the Wiener Werkstätte has had its own cabinet makers workshop in the Neustiftgasse in Vienna. Attributed to Koloman Moser or Emanuel Margold. Punched locks and original key! Literature: Sotheby's Fine 20th century design, catalogue May 2007. Materials & Techniques Notes: limed oakwood with silver filled vein - so called Silbereiche - which Josef Hoffmann and Koloman Moser used...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Koloman Moser Cabinets

Materials

Oak

One-Door Wardrobe by J & J Kohn Bentwood Floorboard, circa 1920
Located in Lüdinghausen, DE
One-door wardrobe restored J & J Kohn bentwood floorboard, circa 1920 Features: Single-door model with mirror, drawer, clothes rail and two shelves High quality Original facete...
Category

20th Century Koloman Moser Cabinets

Materials

Bentwood

Vienna secession etagere atr. to Koloman Moser and Otto Wagner ex. by J&J Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Koloman Moser, Otto Wagner
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Vienna secession bentwood etagere atr. to Koloman Moser and Otto Wagner ex. by J&J Kohn in very good original condition.
Category

1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Koloman Moser Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Engraved Glass Showcase
By CPRN HOMOOD
Located in Milan, IT
Complementing a complete collection of living and dining room furnishings, the engraved glass showcase features a chic zig-zag engraving on the back of ...
Category

2010s Italian Koloman Moser Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Engraved Glass Showcase
Engraved Glass Showcase
H 74.81 in W 35.44 in D 17.72 in
Sheraton Showcase
Located in Annville, PA
A most useful and decorative item, the mahogany Sheraton Showcase is produced using select solid mahogany and clear, thick glass, allowing visibility into the cabinet from all sides as well as from the top. Great quality construction is visible in the hand carved details which distinguish this glass and wood display cabinet...
Category

2010s Renaissance Koloman Moser Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Sheraton Showcase
Sheraton Showcase
H 31 in W 37 in D 17 in
Furniture for Havana Cigars, Puros, Attributed to Koloman Moser and Werkstatte
By Koloman Moser
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Furniture for havana cigars, puros, attributed to Koloman Moser and Wiener Werkstatte. Material: wood Style: Vienna Secession Country: Vienna If you have any questions we are at you...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Koloman Moser Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Piana Showcase 2 Left Doors
Located in Vandoma, PT
*Collection not sold in France, exclusive to Mobilier de France.* The Piana collection is one of Cacio's bestsellers, with Scandinavian inspiration, this line is available in severa...
Category

2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Koloman Moser Cabinets

Materials

Iron

Piana Showcase 2 Left Doors
Piana Showcase 2 Left Doors
H 64.97 in W 27.56 in D 16.54 in
Showcase, France, circa 1880.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Showcase, France, circa 1880. Very good condition. Wood: walnut dimensions: height 165 cm x width 80 cm x depth 47cm
Category

1880s French Louis XVI Antique Koloman Moser Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Showcase, France, circa 1880.
Showcase, France, circa 1880.
H 64.57 in W 31.5 in D 18.51 in

Koloman Moser cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.

Koloman Moser cabinets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Prices for Koloman Moser cabinets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $37,633 and can go as high as $37,633, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $37,633.

Recently Viewed

View All