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.
Mini Centerpiece, Wiener Werkstätte, Design by Josef Hoffmann, Austria
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
An exquisite mini centerpiece in silver-plated metal, produced by the Wiener Werkstätte in Austria around the 1910s and 1920s, and attributed to the design of Josef Hoffmann (1870–19...
Metal
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
Josef Hoffmann Vase, Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1915 - 1920
By Wiener Werkstätte, Moser Glassworks, Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
Josef Hoffmann cut and ground clear crystal vase made by Ludwig Moser & Söhne, Karlsbad for Wiener Werkstätte circa 1915 - 1920. Stamp signature to underside: [MOSER KARLSBAD WW CZEC...
Glass
Josef Hoffmann Bowl, Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1915 - 1920
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Moser Glassworks
Located in New York, NY
Josef Hoffmann cut and ground clear crystal bowl / vase made by Ludwig Moser & Söhne, Karlsbad for Wiener Werkstätte circa 1915 - 1920. Stamp signature to underside: [MOSER KARLSBAD ...
Glass
1920s Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstatte Silver Footed Bowl
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1920s. Silver footed bowl by famed designer Josef Hoffman and Wiener Werkstatte. Hoffman is a prolific designer who helped to cement the design of the Secessionist era. Werkstatte wa...
Silver
Pair of Wiener Werkstatte Brass Bowls by Dagobert Peche
By Dagobert Peche, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of brass bowl in stepped concentric form designed by Dagobert Peche (Austrian, 1887-1923) and for Wiener Werkstatte circa 1910s-1920s. In the iconic style of Vienna Secession,...
Brass
Art Deco Glass Vase attr. to Josef Hoffman for Moser, 1930s
By Josef Hoffmann, Moser Glassworks
Located in Roma, IT
Art Deco Glass Vase attr. to Josef Hoffman for Moser. Realized in Austria in 1930s.
Art Glass
Large Art Deco Art Glass Faceted Vase in the Style of Josef Hoffmann
By Moser Glassworks, Josef Hoffmann
Located in San Diego, CA
This striking Art Deco glass vase is executed in a refined smoked gray (grey) tone and features a bold faceted, architectural form closely associated with early 20th-century Central ...
Glass
1920 Sgraffito Vase by Josef Ekberg
By Josef Ekberg
Located in New York, NY
Sgraffito vase from 1920 by Josef Ekberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden. Flower motif in Swedish Jugend (or Art Nouveau) style decorates the vase in blue shades. Designer signature with the...
Ceramic
Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte Brass Repoussé Bowl
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
A jewel-like work of metalcraft by Josef Hoffmann, this footed brass bowl (model M sh 18), designed for the Wiener Werkstätte around 1925, brings tog...
Brass
$1,250
H 19.125 in Dm 10 in
Josef Hoffmann Black Gitterwerk Waste Basket or Umbrella Stand for Bieffeplast
By Josef Hoffmann, Bieffeplast
Located in Troy, MI
Josef Hoffmann hexagonal wastebasket or umbrella stand Originally designed in 1905, edition Bieffeplast circa 1980s Gitterwerk structure in black perforated steel with original lab...
Metal, Steel
$1,314
H 8.86 in W 5.32 in D 5.32 in
"Skyscraper Vase" by Josef Hoffmann, Bieffeplast Production, Wiener Werkstätt
By Josef Hoffmann, Bieffeplast
Located in Argelato, BO
This flower vase, designed by Josef Hoffmann around 1905 for the Wiener Werkstätte, evokes the shape of a modernist skyscraper. The reissue is produced by Bieffeplast in Italy (80s),...
Metal
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
H 9 in Dm 3.75 in
Secessionist Vase, Ruddy Pink with Wiener Werkstatte-Influenced Glyphs
By Wittenberg Pottery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Clearly showing the influences of the Vienna Secession and the Wiener Werkstatte, at a time when Vienna led the Germanic world's interpretation of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, this cyli...
Ceramic
$274
H 0.79 in W 7.17 in D 5.52 in
Art Deo Catch All Jewelry Dish by WMF Silverplated Wiener Werkstätte Style
By Wiener Werkstätte, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Elegant Art Deco silverplated catch-all dish by WMF, finely crafted in the Wiener Werkstätte style. The piece features a beautifully scalloped edge and richly embossed floral and fol...
Metal, Silver Plate
$1,937
H 14.18 in Dm 7.88 in
Antique Silver Vase, Art Nouveau Green Glass Vase with Silver Overlay, Early 20C
Located in Wembley, GB
Art Nouveau Green Glass Vase with Silver Overlay, Early 20th Century An exceptional Art Nouveau decorative vase, featuring a luminous green art glass body encased in an exquisitely ...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Josef Hoffmann Hammered Silver Covered Bowl
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
Hoffmann’s covered bowl is a striking synthesis of Egyptian, Chinese, and medieval European design. Its lid, with a rounded conical profile and cabochon malachite finial, draws inspiration from Qing dynasty mandarin hats...
Silver
Josef Hoffmann a “Flower Basket”, Wiener Werkstätte, 1906
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Brussels, BE
Josef Hoffmann a “flower basket”, Wiener Werkstätte, 1906 cf MAK, Vienna, Wiener Werkstätte Archive, WWF 132–53–1, model number: M 0552. In 1892, Hoffmann applied to Vienna’s A...
Metal
Sold
H 7.29 in W 7.88 in D 2.76 in
Ceramic Vase Maria Likarz Wiener Werkstatte circa 1925 Austrian Art Deco Blue
By Wiener Werkstätte, Maria Likarz
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Ceramic vase designed by Maria Likarz manufactured by Wiener Werkstatte circa 1925 Austrian Art Deco This vase shows a reduced floral design, typical o...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Sold
H 10.23 in W 9.05 in L 10.23 in
Wiener Werkstätte Art Ceramics Expressive Style Vase by Vally Wieselthier, 1922
By Wiener Werkstätte, Vally Wieselthier
Located in Vienna, AT
Bulbous vase on a round floor plan, two bulging rings that narrow towards the top with a flared rim of the mouth, surface decorated in relief with abstract, brightly painted elements...
Ceramic
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstatte Glass Vase in Dark Green
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Astoria, NY
Austrian Wiener Werkstatte secessionist glass vase in dark green glass designed by Josef Hoffmann, circa 1916. The faceted and footed vase bears the...
Glass
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Bowl / Vase, circa 1915-1920
By Moser Glassworks, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
Josef Hoffmann cut and ground clear light blue bowl / vase made by Ludwig Moser & Söhne, Karlsbad for the Wiener Werkstätte. Signed.
Glass