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.
$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 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...
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 ...
$149Sale 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
Kathrine Baumann Leopard Design Swarovski Crystal Minaudiere Evening Bag
By Kathrine Baumann Beverly Hills
Located in Tustin, CA
Exquisite handmade designer, Kathrine Baumann, who is the celebrated handbag maker to the stars, leopard pattern pillow shaped minaudière, evening bag...
DRIES VAN NOTEN AW 2015 Gold Brocade Fringe Block Heel Sandals
By Dries van Noten
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Dries Van Noten gold brocade block heel sandals with ankle strap from the Fall/Winter 2015 runway collection. Features rounded open toes and cross front ankle strap. Fan-effect black and gold striped...
Chanel 2.55 Reissue Maxi Double Flap Bag
By Chanel
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Chic Chanel 2.55 Reissue Maxi Double Flap Handbag. The exterior of this reissue 2.55 is crafted in metallic champagne lambskin leather with signature diamond stitching and dark sil...
$834Sale Price|24% Off
Size: Centimeter
Antique hand-knitted beaded bag with hallmarked silver hanger + chain from 1850s
Located in Stuttgart, DE
The beaded bag has a silver handle in the shape of a double arch, which is designed with an adjuster made of stylized flower and leaf tendrils and has a pressure closure. A 38 cm long pea chain is attached to 2 eyelets on the side. The flat, tall rectangular pocket bag is made using bead knitting. It shows the same flower motif on the front and back: red ones on a background of colorless glass beads...
Vintage Gucci Horsebit Alligator Loafers Size 38.5
By Gucci
Located in Oakland, CA
Vintage Gucci exotic skin horsebit loafers. I'm not sure whether these are alligator or crocodile, I apologize for my lack of certainty! Regardless, these are a rare and wonderful pair of classic vintage Gucci horsebit...
Vintage 1990s black and white wool suit Moschino Cheap & Chic
By Moschino
Located in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR
Vintage 1990s black and white suit (jacket and skirt) by Moschino Cheap & Chic. The black and red version of this suit can be seen on the ICONIC Fran fine on the hit sitcom the Nanny...
Chanel Limited Edition Minaudière Paris - Greece Owl Evening Bag 2018 Resort
By Chanel
Located in Sewickley, PA
Rare Chanel Limited Edition Black and Gold Acrylic and Strass Owl Evening Bag Gold Hardware, Cruise 2018 Seen on the Paris - Greece Chanel Runway show. A Whimsical Masterpiece from...
Chanel Blue Caviar Leather Quilted Small Double Flap Classic Bag
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Chanel Blue Caviar Leather Quilted Small Double Flap Classic Bag Made In: France Year of Production: 2021 Color: Blye Hardware: Goldtone Mat...
HERMÉS KELLY 20cm bordeaux Calfskin Leather, gold hardware, small shoulder bag
By Hermès, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Stuttgart, DE
About Very beautiful Mini Hermès Sellier shoulder bag, bordeaux , Box calf, M in circle - 1983 Features: - Inside Pocket 1 - Size " Width 7,9 inches x H 5,7 inches x 3.7 inches - Si...
Early 1990s Stubbs and Wooton Floral Pattern Needlepoint Slippers
By Stubbs & Wootton
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A spray of white needlepoint flowers on a golden background make these Stubbs and Wootton slip on shoes an elegant addition for the collector who kn...
$6,999
Size: 31Lx3Wx13H CM Handledrop 22 CM
UNWORN VALENTINO Rare Exotic Lizard Skin Evening Crystal Clutch Bag - Full Set
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Switzerland, CH
Extremely rare and special VALENTINO evening bag Made of finest exotic lizard skin Wonderful green colors Bejeweled with Swarovski crystals, intact "Snake" opening the bag So versati...
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...