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.
Unique Low Cabinet with Intarsia by Viktor Lurje for Wiener Werkstätte c. 1926
By Viktor Lurje, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Berlin, DE
Unique low cabinet with intarsia designed by the architect, artist and craftsman Viktor Lurje (1883-1944) and manufactured by Wiener Werkstätte GmbH, circa 1926. Together with Oskar ...
Wood
$10,819
H 41.74 in W 51.97 in D 17.72 in
Scandinavian Modern cabinet '2661' by Mjölby Intarsia, Sweden, 1940s
By Erik Mattsson 1, Mjölby Intarsia
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Exceptional cabinet or sideboard model '2661' by unknown designer and executed by Mjölby Intarsia in Sweden during the 1940s. Beautiful wooden inlay on doors. Key included. One of...
Beech, Oak, Teak, Walnut
$1,700
H 34.26 in W 34.06 in D 15.48 in
Japanese Antique Cabinet with Wavy Glass Doors, Taisho Era “1912–1926”
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This glass-front cabinet was crafted in the Taisho Era (1912–1926). The case is made of hinoki (Japanese cypress). The exterior was originally finished in traditional Japanese urush...
Cedar, Cypress
Pair of Sheraton Revival Small Locking Cabinets
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of interesting and lovely single door walnut cabinets with satinwood decorative inlay, probably Edwardian made in the Sheraton taste. Each has a single pull-out open drawer shelf. Possibly bedside lockers...
Satinwood, Walnut
$11,000
H 47.25 in W 35.04 in D 16.93 in
Swedish Modern 1930s Cabinet by Vingåkers Möbelfabrik with Mjölby Intarsia Decor
By Mjölby Intarsia
Located in Örebro, SE
This is the Swedish Modern 1930s Cabinet with detailed Mjölby Intarsia-decor from Vingåkers Möbelfabrik. It comes in very good condition, made of birc...
Birch, Plywood, Elm, Walnut
Towering Skyscraper Storage Cabinet by Maitland Smith 1980s
By Tony Duquette
Located in Dallas, TX
This Maitland Smith hommage to Paul Frankl's "Skyscraper Furniture" Features 18 Drawers two drawers and a pull-out shelf. It is a post-modern mast...
Brass
Model 2661 Cabinet by Mjölby Intarsia in Wood, Sweden, 1942
By Mjölby Intarsia
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Swedish cabinet, model 2661, by Mjölby Intarsia, Sweden, 1942. Unknown designer. Crafted in oak with stained beech legs and a burl alder veneer top. The doors feature elaborate marq...
Birch, Oak
Low Cabinet
By Luuk van den Broek
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Luuk van den Broek makes this piece “made to order” also other colors (custom) options like the dark mustard are available. Lead time 6-8 weeks. The multi layerd coating electroplat...
Metal
$12,483
H 47.64 in W 32.68 in D 15.75 in
Kurt Østervig Cabinet in Teak and Oak with Round intarsia, 1960s
By Kurt Østervig, K.P. Møbler 1
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kurt Østervig, cabinet in teak and oak with round intarsia, cabinetmaker K. P. Møbler, 1960s.
Oak, Teak
$65,000
H 30.25 in W 31.25 in D 17.75 in
Indo-Portuguese Brass-Mounted Hardwood and Indian Wood Marquetry Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
An Indo- Portuguese brass-mounted hardwood and Indian Wood marquetry cabinet, Goa. Gorgeously made with hand-cut hardwood and the finest quality of othe...
Brass
$159,444
H 71.66 in W 66.93 in D 15.95 in
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 Marg...
Oak
Unique Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This cabinet was built around an authentic French champagne rack. The front doors are the two parts from a rack. The steel cabinet which they are mounte...
Steel
$12,900
H 22.25 in W 23.25 in D 13.25 in
17th Century Spanish Burled Walnut Vargueno or Collectors Cabinet
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a diminutive burled walnut vargueno, collector or valuables cabinet, with molded cornice and drop front, opening to a multi-drawer ...
Brass, Wrought Iron
$36,444
H 31.5 in W 25.6 in D 11.82 in
Original Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Cabinet for Mimi Marlow 20th Century
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
For the private saloon of the then famous soubrette Mimi Marlow, who was also performing in the legendary "Fledermaus Cabaret," which was designed by Josef Hoffmann and executed by t...
Oak
Mid Century Cabinet in the Form of Bass Cello Great Storage
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous bass Cello storage cabinet. Has 4 shelves that are 5 x 5 x 10.5. Door opens and closes with ease. Well made, high quality. In excellent vintage con...
Iron
Antique French liquer cellar, cabinet “Cave a liqueur”
Located in Delft, NL
Antique French liquer cellar, cabinet “Cave a liqueur” An antique French book-shaped lidded liquer cellar cabinet, also called “Cave a liqueur”. A liqueur cellar hidden in 18th cent...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 2 in W 4 in D 4.5 in
Vienna Secession Metal Box by Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstätte, Austria
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in North Miami, FL
1920s Vienna Secession silvered metal box with wooden interior by Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstätte, Austria By: Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann Material: metal, silver plate, ...
Metal, Silver Plate
Sold
H 9.85 in W 22.84 in D 17.72 in
Unique Museum Specimen of a Casket by Viktor Lurje for the Wiener Werkstätten
By Wiener Werkstätte, Viktor Lurje
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
A Vienna / New York history. Unique museum specimen of a casket by Viktor Lurje for the Wiener Werkstätten, dated 1920. Signature Viktor Lurje VL and th...
Wood
Box Brass Silver-plated J. Hoffmann Wiener Werkstaette C. 1903-05 Original
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
RAREST ROUND LIDDED BOX OF WIENER WERKSTAETTE (WW): Stunning elegance / edged areas are decorated with so-said pearl-border. Material is BRASS (SILVER-PLATED). The lid is d...
Brass, Silver Plate