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
$1,200
H 31.42 in W 25.52 in D 11.74 in
Japanese Vintage Cabinet with Glass Doors, Early Showa Period “1926–”
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This Japanese antique glass door cabinet was crafted in the Early Showa Period (1926–1940s). Constructed primarily from chestnut wood and t...
Chestnut
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
$11,378
H 53.15 in W 39.77 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury Modern Cabinet by Erik Matsson, Mjölby Intarsia, Sweden, 1940s
By Mjölby Intarsia
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful cabinet from Mjölby Intarsia, made from mahogany with doors inlayed with a paradisical naturalism motif by Erik Matsson. It depicts a man and animals on a small island, car...
Mahogany
$5,500Sale Price|50% Off
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
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
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
$5,850
H 10.25 in W 24 in D 11.75 in
Table Top Jewelry Chest, Walnut, Brass Pulls Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Signed
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare table top jewelry case / cabinet designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Signed with the brass Dunbar metal tag. Walnut case and brass pulls. Two drawers...
Brass
$163,379
H 71.66 in W 66.93 in D 15.95 in
Original of the Time Marked "Wiener Werkstätte" Koloman Moser Bookcase / Cabinet
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Koloman Moser
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
$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
$183,986 / item
H 68.9 in W 26.38 in D 16.93 in
Modern Girih Treasure Chest Tall Cabinet in Satinwood Marquetry and Sycamore
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Back in October 2016, on one of his many travels to the Persian Gulf in his role as Honorary Chairman of Christie’s Europe Middle East, Russia and India, David Linley’s fascination with Islamic art and architecture was reignited. A photograph of a vibrant tile mosaic pattern was sent back to the LINLEY studio on Pimlico Road, inspiring the design of the spectacular Girih Treasure Chest. The Girih Treasure Chest explores Islamic pattern through detailed wooden marquetry in brilliant sapphire blue and rich gold tones. Girih is an Islamic decorative art form consisting of geometric lines that create an interlaced framework. As if a precious stone in a delicate claw setting, the chest perches on a simple sycamore frame which is supported by a forged brass metal stretcher. As the center of the design lies an eight-pointed star, taken from a beautiful mosaic tile pattern that caught the eye of LINLEY Founder and Chairman David Linley on a visit to Doha, Qatar back in October 2015. Adorning all façades of the chest, the pattern is created using a specially dyed deep blue ripple sycamore...
Gold Leaf
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
$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
Sold
H 2 in W 4 in D 4.5 in
Vienna Secession Metal Box by Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstätte, Austria
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
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 Viktor Lurje, Wiener Werkstätte
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 Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
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