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.
Original, Hallmark. Massive Silver Candleholder, Koloman Moser Wiener Werkstätte
By Koloman Moser, Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Signature: Austrian silver-mark, WW-mark. What is unusual for a Wiener Werkstatte silver-object. The signatures are on the bottom side instead...
Lapis Lazuli, Silver
Small Silver Chamber Candle Stick
Located in Delft, NL
A small silver chamber candle stick with a separate candle extinguisher, which is hung with a hook. With slide in the stem to raise the candle. ...
Silver
Pair of Sterling Silver Candlesticks
By James Dixon & Sons
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Sterling Silver Candlesticks in the arts and crafts style, hallmarked in the city of Sheffield in 1905/06 by James Dixon...
Silver
$8,442Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 6.3 in W 0.79 in D 1.78 in
Children's Cutlery Silver Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstatte circa 1923 Jugendstil
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Silver children’s cutlery set designed by Josef Hoffmann and Eduard J. Wimmer-Wisgrill manufactured by Wiener Werkstatte ca. 1923 marked hammer-strok...
Silver
Georgian English Sterling Silver Candlesticks
By John Winter & Co 1
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique George III English sterling silver candlesticks; part of our Georgian ornamental silverware collection. These exceptional antique...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Candlesticks
By Robert Garrard II 1
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive pair of antique George IV English cast sterling silver candlesticks made by Robert Garrard II; an addition of our ornamental silverware collection ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Silver centerpiece Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstatte
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
In style of Wiener Werkstätte, Vienna Wokshop, designed by Josef Hoffmann A silver bowls hand carved, made of silver and hallmarked on the lower bottom. Austria, circa 1920.
Silver, Sterling Silver
$20,000
H 9.75 in W 4 in D 5 in
Rare Silver Vase with Glass Insert by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Wiener Werkstatte silver reticulated flower basket with original glass insert in a very rare model made with silver. Designed by Josef Hoffmann (Austrian, 1870-1956), Vienna, circa...
Silver
1920s American Sterling Silver Tapersticks
By James Robinson 1
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive pair of antique American cast sterling silver tapersticks; an addition of our ornamental silverware collection. These impressive antique American sterling silver tapersticks have an octofoil panelled form, replicating the details of a Classic English George I style. The plain panelled waisted cylindrical capitals are encircled with protruding scalloped borders to the rims. Each plain waisted column bears a panelled bulbous knop to the upper portion and further scalloped decoration to the lower. The columns surmount octagonal shaped, incurved bases with a sunken well and plain collet style rim. Each candlestick does not have a weighted base. The underside of each base bears the maker's mark 'James Robinson' and 'sterling' standard mark. Condition These antique tapersticks are an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The hallmarks struck to the underside of each base are all very clear; the hallmarks are struck deeply due to the exceptional gauge of silver. Dimensions Height 11.7cm/4.6" Diameter of capital 1.1cm/0.4" Width of base 7.7cm/3" Total weight 7.6 troy ounces/237g. Maker: James Robinson. Date: circa 1920. Origin: USA. Video: A video of this fine piece is available upon request. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of these examples of American silverware...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Silver Matzoh Holder Jugendstil Weiner Werkstatte Style Signed
Located in Sharon, CT
Hand wrought in 900 silver in the Wiener Werkstatt style, impressed signature reads: _ _ _RAEMER HANDARBEIT 900 followed by logo/touchmark.
Silver
$6,974
H 1.19 in Dm 8.08 in
Brass Tray Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstatte Austrian Jugendstil circa 1915
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Brass tray Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstatte ca. 1915 marked Austrian Jugendstil Josef Hoffmann was one of the leading designers of the Wiener Werkstatte...
Brass
$1,343Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 3.15 in Dm 2.76 in
1960 Mid-Century Scandinavian Modern Pair Sterling Silver Candleholders
Located in Brescia, IT
This pair of elegant sterling silver candleholders, have been hand made in Sweden in 1960, in sterkling silver. Their clean line and architectural shape give a sense of modern style ...
Silver
$4,796 / set
H 7.29 in Dm 4.53 in
Two Champagne Glasses Koloman Moser Attr. Meyr's Neffe circa 1902 Jugendstil
By Meyr's Neffe, Koloman Moser
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Two champagne glasses purple orange attributed to Koloman Moser "Meteor" decoration Meyr's Neffe ca. 1902 Austrian Jugendstil Koloman Moser was one of the most important designers...
Glass
Sold
H 13 in W 18.12 in D 0.4 in
Koloman Moser Chanukiah, 1904 Jugendstil, Wiener Werkstaette Style, Re-edtion
By Wiener Werkstätte, Koloman Moser, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Koloman Moser designed this Chanukkia for Hermann Wittgenstein 1904, other images show the interior for Hermann Wittgenstein as well as a documentation of Deutsche Kunst und Dekorati...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Silver Candle Holder
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in New York, NY
Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte silver candle holder. This piece was modeled after a prototype Model Number: M 1875 "Leuchter einfach No 9" einflammig done in 1911 by Karl Hagen...
Silver Plate