Born from the Vienna Secession art movement in Austria during the early 20th century, the Wiener Werkstätte helped to cement Art Nouveau style and culture in Viennese art. Wiener Werkstätte furniture included armchairs, cabinets and table lamps, with production extending to other crafts such as ceramics, jewelry and fashion. The Werkstätte also boasted a large graphic arts department, which created nearly 1,000 unique postcards during the organization’s run.
Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann, painter Koloman Moser and industrialist Fritz Waerndorfer established the collective in opposition to the dominant trends in Viennese art. The artistic community was then largely directed by the Association of Austrian Artists, which had firm control over the creation and distribution of Austrian art. The collective’s style pushed back against traditional artistic preferences, instead favoring clear, bold lines and often-exaggerated, vibrant colors.
Employing over 100 people, including several master craftsmen, the Werkstätte formed relationships and alliances with a number of firms and stores, which sold and commissioned new work from the workshop.
As the Wiener Werkstätte’s mission aligned with emerging British sensibilities regarding art, many British artists worked closely with the collective. Some major Austrian artists collaborated with the collective, without officially joining, such as painter Gustav Klimt.
The Werkstätte’s artistic range was extensive and eclectic, with the organization producing a wide variety of furniture. In 1932, the global economic collapse forced it to shut down. With the outbreak of WWII soon to follow, the Wiener Werkstätte never reopened. Its legacy lived on, however, in the numerous artists and craftspeople who carried forward its commitment to progressive cultural and creative endeavors.
On 1stDibs, find antique Wiener Werkstätte lighting, seating and storage pieces.
Wiener Werkstatt Beaded Bag Maria Likarz (attributed(
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Sharon, CT
Extraordinary and rare bag from the Wiener Werstatte. Fine bright red beads, abstract design with kid leather lining. We are attributing our bag to Maria Likarz-Strauss, based on a...
$2,900
Wiener Werkstatte Shoes
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Sharon, CT
1904 Koloman Moser Enameled Sterling 'Duck'' Buckles (marked on back) on circa 1920 silk brocade Wiener Werkstatte shoes.Ebossed with the Wiener Werkstatte signature on the interio...
Wiener Werkstatte Graphic Turquoise Blue Beaded Bag with Frame
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in New Hope, PA
From a Beverly Hills collector, this Wiener Werkstatte bag has a bold and graphic design executed in navy blue, gold, brick red and metallic bead...
Davis & Marinsky Wiener Werkstatte Attributed Suit
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Sharon, CT
Isaac Marinsky a Russian emigre studied and worked in London as a couturier to English Society, before immigrating to Rhode Island with his coworker Davis. And formed together Davis ...
Manolo Blahnik Pink Lace Slides with Satin Bow
By Manolo Blahnik
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Manolo Blahnik pink lace slides with satin bow, size 37,with a 4 inch heel
$153Sale Price|20% Off
Miu Miu red patent leather decollete
By Miu Miu
Located in Capri, IT
Miu Miu red patent leather decollete size 38.5 heel 9 cm
Chanel Pre Fall 2009 Paris Moscow Gold Chanel 2.55 Bag
By Chanel
Located in Paris, FR
Collector in perfect condition, except missing a piece on this bag : normally there is an egg with a pearl on the strap as a charm. It has never been worn. A true work of art: it's f...
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
NWT's BADGLEY MISCHKA Vintage Embroidered Evening Beaded Bag Bridal Wedding
By Badgley Mischka
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Badgley Mischka Vintage Yellow gold hardware and ornate chain Beige tones Embroidered bag with floral design and clear beads Long fringes with a bead placed at each end NWT's Comes w...
$235Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.5 in W 3 in D 1 in
Evans Gilt Metal Guilloche Enamel Evening Bag Compact Case c 1950s
By Evans Case Company
Located in University City, MO
Evans Opulent gilt metal guilloche enamel evening bag - compact case c 1950s The elegant gold metal case has an etched sun burst finish. The front exterior panel is adorned with a guilloche floral enamel plaque The evening bag - case is carried with a mesh handle strap that may slide over the wrist The interior is designed with two separate compartments. One of the compartments is designed with a vanity mirror, rouge powder compartment, and a lipstick holder The other interior compartment is designed as a cigarette compartment, This could be adapted into a compartment to place credit cards and paper currency...
1990'S ROBERTO CAVALLI Plum Purple Skirt Suit
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in New York, NY
1990'S ROBERTO CAVALLI Plum Purple Skirt Suit
Hermès New Mini Kelly Idole Picto Blue
By Hermès
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hermès rare and collectible Kelly Idole Picto bag in blue royale, nata and gold epsom leather. Palladium hardware. Black leather for the funky detachable backpack that can fit a phon...
Burgundy velvet shoes with fabric flower CHRISTIAN LACROIX
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Burgundy velvet shoes with fabric flower . Open on the back with elastic band. Heel height : 10cm Shoe size: 40
$800Sale Price|20% Off
NWT's BADGLEY MISCHKA Vintage Gold Entirely Glass Beaded Evening Bag Purse
By Badgley Mischka
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Badgley Mischka Vintage Entirely covered in yellow gold glass beads Top handle NWT's Pristine Measurements in inches laying flat: height excluding the strap 9, width 6 Final Sale
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent F/W 2004 Chinoiserie Jacquard Skirt Suit Fr 38
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Montgomery, TX
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Chinoiserie Skirt Suit Inspired by the 1977 Chinese Collection that coincided with the launch of Opium. ...
Whiting & Davis Gold Mesh Bag
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Alford, MA
Petite gold mesh bag by Whiting & Davis with wrist strap and curved gold metal frame itch engraved initials "WMF".
$690Sale Price|30% Off
H 4.25 in W 6.88 in D 2 in
Limited Edition Coach Glovetanned Leather Box Clutch
By Coach House
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a limited edition Coach glovetanned leather box clutch with a brass turn or twist closure. It's part of Coach's special collection of...
Wiener Werkstatte Beaded Bag with Striking Enamel Frame
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in New Hope, PA
From a Beverly Hills collector, this eye catching Wiener Werkstatte micro beaded bag is decorated with floral and geometric patterns in bold primary ...
Wiener Werkstatte Beaded Bag
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in New Hope, PA
From a Beverly Hills collector, this bag has a stunning color combination and a wonderfully graphic design done in micro beads. This drawstring bag is a stunning example of Wiener Werkstatte...
Wiener Werkstatte Beaded Bag with Sophisticated Color Palette
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in New Hope, PA
From a Beverly Hills collector, this bag has a sophisticated color palette taking this micro beaded Wiener Werkstatte bag to the next level. The ...
Wiener Werkstatte Drawstring Bag
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in New Hope, PA
From a Beverly Hills collector, a striking and graphic micro beaded Wiener Werkstatte design is worked on a deep red background, adding warmth and d...