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.
Antique Austrian Wiener Werkstätte Ceramic Horse Salt Cellar by Alice Ehmann
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed Wiener Werkstätte salt cellar. By Alice Ehmann ca. 1927. Entitled "Tier mit Schale" ("Animal with Shell"). In the form of a stylized horse with a bowl on its back. ...
Ceramic
$2,275Sale Price|49% Off
Signed Wiener Werkstätte Lidded Glazed Earthenware Box, 1920's, Vienna
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Signed Wiener Werkstätte Lidded Glazed Earthenware Box, 1920's, Vienna Exquisite early Wiener Werkstätte box in glazed earthenware with embellis...
Ceramic
Erna Kopriva Pottery Sculpture/Terracotta , Figure for Wiener Werkstatte
By Wiener Werkstätte, Erna Kopriva
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great sample of the well known Austrian artist, Erna Kopriva. She was assistant of Joseph Hoffman and worked at Wiener Werkstatte . Similar pieces are now...
Terracotta
Ceramic Glazed ‘Mobach Utrecht’ Jug, Signed
By Mobach
Located in Voorburg, NL
Very sophisticated ceramic jug designed and made by Klaas Mobach for ‘Mobach Utrecht’ in the 1940s with black and blue reduced fired glaze. Execution Mo...
Ceramic
$348Sale Price|45% Off
H 10.44 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
19th Century French Green Glazed Earthenware Jug or Water Cruche
Located in Buisson, FR
Great authentic and rare piece of pottery from the Provence. Beautiful weathered and an amazing color. Imperfections help authenticate this water cruche as it was a utilitarian type...
Earthenware
$383Sale Price|53% Off
H 8.67 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in
Antique 19th Century Earthenware Jug, Yellow/Green Glaze, Italy, Circa 1850-1900
Located in Buisson, FR
Great authentic piece of pottery from Italy. Unique and rare glaze. Beautiful weathered. Chips and imperfections help authenticate this jug/ jar as it was a utilitarian type piece, I...
Earthenware
$1,900
H 10.5 in W 4.75 in D 10.5 in
Mid-Century Italian Modern Bitossi Ceramic Blue Horse Pottery by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large and chic horse sculpture circa 1960s Aldo Londi for Bitossi. This piece features all glazed ceramic construction in a beautiful blue / green color. Signed Italy
Ceramic
$407Sale Price|50% Off
H 12.8 in W 9.85 in D 9.06 in
19th Century, French Green Glazed Terracotta Jug or Water Cruche
Located in Buisson, FR
Great authentic piece of pottery from the Provence. Unique and rare glaze. Beautiful weathered. Chips and imperfections help authenticate this water cruche as it was a utilitarian ty...
Terracotta
Mid 20th century hand turned clay lidded jar with a lava glazed finish
Located in Dallas, TX
A mid 20th century hand turned clay lidded jar with a lava glazed finish. Signature marked on the bottom of the jar. This jar is of a slightly egg-like shape. Majority of the body ...
Clay
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.03 in W 16.93 in D 7.88 in
Czechoslovakian Hunting Dog Ceramic 'Karl Klimt'
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Czechoslovakian hunting dog ceramic Czechoslovakia origin artist K. Klimt, circa 1930 perfect condition ceramic material.
Porcelain
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
$466Sale Price|33% Off
H 8.67 in W 9.06 in D 7.49 in
19th Century French Green Glazed Terracotta Jug or Water Cruche
Located in Buisson, FR
Great authentic and rare piece of pottery with a spout in handle from the Provence. Beautiful weathered and an amazing color. Imperfections help authenticate this water cruche as it ...
Terracotta
$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
Denby Art Deco Green Glazed Art Pottery Lamb Figure
By Denby Pottery England
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful English Art Deco pottery figure of a lamb decorated in green glazes made by Denby and dating from the 1930’s. The figure is hand crafted and stands on four legs with its...
Pottery
$2,831 / item
H 4.73 in Dm 3.94 in
Set of 6 Champagne Coupes "Series B" by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte
By Josef Hoffmann, J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Beograd, RS
Masterpiece of early modernity! The lead-free crystal Champagne Coupes "Series B" designed by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte in 1912. Available 2 sets of 6 pieces. Listed price...
Crystal