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 Werkstaette Arts And Crafts, Beaded Bag, by Maria Likarz-Strauss, c 1919
By Maria Likarz, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Exceptional, rare pouch bag with abstract bead embroidery in bright orange, beige, dark brown and white, crocheted at the upper edge, cords as drawstrings with olive-shaped wooden be...
Animal Skin, Goatskin, Silk, Beads
Vintage Hand-Crafted Cut Crystal Ashtray, Star Design, Italy, 1960s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful cut crystal clear glass ashtray decorated with a cut star design. Wonderful fashionable glass multifaceted ashtray or decorative object Heavy clear handcut etched crystal...
Crystal
$420
H 5.13 in W 5.75 in D 5.5 in
Austrian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Original Patina, Pharmacy or Herbalist
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is a beautiful antique solid brass mortar and pestle set. The mortar has a cylindrical shape with a flared mouth and two angular handles at the sides. The baton-shaped pestle...
Metal, Brass
$7,514
H 50.5 in W 57 in D 27 in
G M Ellwood, attri. An Arts & Crafts Walnut & Inlaid Piano made by J Brinsmead
By George Montague Ellwood, John Brinsmead
Located in London, GB
George Montague Ellwood, designer (attributed). A rare Arts and Crafts Walnut and inlaid upright iron framed piano made by John Brinsmead and Sons, London...
Walnut
American Arts & Crafts: Virtue in Design by Leslie Greene Bowman
Located in valatie, NY
American Arts & Crafts: Virtue in Design by Leslie Greene Bowman. Bulfinch Press, 1992. Stated First edition softcover. 255 pp., profusely illustrated with 190 color and 275 b&w plat...
Paper
$12,979 / set
H 5.91 in W 6.7 in D 5.12 in
Pair of Gilt-Metal and Enamel 'Fleurs Des Siècles' Flower Baskets by Gorham
By Jane Hutcheson, Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in London, GB
Pair of gilt-metal and enamel 'Fleurs des Siècles' flower baskets by Gorham American, circa 1975 Measures: height 15cm, width 17cm, depth 13cm D...
Gold Plate, Enamel
Arts & Crafts Period Model House in Painted Metal and Wood
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful model of an Arts & Crafts period house, hand painted and constructed out of metal and wood, with front porch, glass windows, and front dormer and chimney, with great surf...
Metal
Spanish 18th Century Mortar and Pestle
Located in Round Top, TX
A very handsome 18th century mortar and pestle hand carved from a solid block of wood. Sensational patina. A wonderful object for table top, bookca...
Wood
American Arts & Crafts Virtue in Design Book by Leslie Greene Bowman
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
American Arts & Crafts: Virtue in Design. soft cover. by Leslie Greene Bowman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1990 - Design - 255 pages Influe...
Paper
Arts and Crafts Architecture by Maureen Meister
Located in valatie, NY
Arts and Crafts Architecture by Maureen Meister. Hardcover with dust jacket. Published by University Press of New England, 2014. This book offers the first full-scale examination of ...
Paper
Fine Estate Arts and Crafts Style Peridot Sterling Silver Cross
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Arts and Crafts style sterling silver and peridot cross featuring six rhombus shaped square cut 5mm by 5mm peridot gemstones. Peridots have a r...
Sterling Silver
$104,247
H 54.34 in W 65.36 in D 28.35 in
Arts and Crafts, Bechstein Upright Piano Rosewood Brass Hinges by Walter Cave
By Walter Cave
Located in Leeds, GB
An 1897, Arts and Crafts Bechstein upright piano with a polished, rosewood case, fretwork panels and ornate brass hinges in a stylised floral design. Unique design by Walter Cave, executed by C. Bechstein and exhibited by Maple & Co. C. Bechstein is inscribed on a square, brass plaque on the piano fall. The front panel features cupboard doors, which open so as to allow the music desk to fall into place. These doors occupy half the width of the front, so that they fold back out of the way of the player. The candle sconces are concealed behind the doors and brought into use when required. The music desk is in an openwork folkloric inspired design of stylised birds, foliage and flowers. The brass candle holders also feature cut-out stylised bird motifs. The front panel is flanked by two circular fretwork panels backed in fabric that act as a sound box...
Brass
Artistic Design and All Handcrafted, Wrought Iron Arts & Crafts Candlestick
Located in Lisse, NL
With the holiday season on our doorstep we are offering a number of season related items, but also many smaller and lower priced art and antiques that will make great gifts for yours...
Wrought Iron