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.
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
Children's Cutlery Silver Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstatte circa 1923 Jugendstil
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
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
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
Silver centerpiece Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstatte
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
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
Josef Hoffmann Vase, Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1915 - 1920
By Moser Glassworks, Wiener Werkstätte, 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
$20,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 13 in W 21.26 in D 17.72 in
Silver 800 Cutlery Set for 12 People, Düsseldorf, Germany, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Silver 800 cutlery set for 12 people. Düsseldorf, Germany, late 19th century. Jugendstil period. Complete for 12 people. A total of 164 pieces: 12 ...
Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Canteen of Cutlery for Twelve Persons
By Viners 1
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive, comprehensive antique George V English sterling silver Sandringham pattern flatware service for twelve persons - boxed; an addition to our canteen of cutlery collection The pieces of this magnificent and comprehensive antique George V English sterling silver canteen of cutlery for twelve persons have been crafted in the Sandringham pattern. Each spoon and fork is embellished with a paralleling border to the handle, in addition to a pointed terminal. The original table and dessert knives, in addition to the fish service, fruit service and carving set all retain the original faceted Art Deco style mother of pearl handles; each with plain a ferrule. The bowls of the salt and mustard spoons retain the original gilding. This boxed canteen of cutlery consists of 164 pieces: Basic Service: 12 Table knives 12 Table forks 12 Soup spoons 6 Table/Serving spoons 12 Dessert knives 12 Dessert forks 12 Dessert spoons 12 Fruit knives 12 Fruit forks 12 Fish knives 12 Fish forks 12 Teaspoons 6 Egg spoons Additional Pieces: Soup ladle Pair of Sauce ladles Fish serving knife Fish serving fork 4 Salt spoons Pair of Mustard spoons Pair of Jam spoons Sugar tongs Meat carving knife Game carving knife Large carving fork Small carving fork Bread knife Sharpening steel This impressive service benefits from an extensive range of serving pieces, incorporating an exceptional matching silver fish and dessert service. The fundamental components of this canteen were crafted by the Sheffield silversmith Emile Viner of Viner's Ltd in 1932. The original mother of pearl handled knives bear the maker's mark 'Viners Ltd, Sheffield, Cutlers to H.M The King, Stainless De-luxe' to the stainless steel blades. This exceptional canteen of cutlery is fitted to the original and substantial oak wood two drawer, lift up lid canteen table...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Hammered Brass Fluted Vase by Josef Hoffmann, Austria, c. 1920s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in San Francisco, CA
A hand-hammered brass vase with dramatic vertical fluting and flared rim. Marked "WIENER WERK STÄTTE" with JH monogram and WW mark.
Brass
$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
Lidded Box by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätte, 1920s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
Lidded cigarette tin – handmade. Designed by Josef Hoffmann for the Wiener Werkstätte – no markings (see photo for a comparable object with a signature) – also documented in the MAK ...
Fruitwood
$56,541
H 27.56 in W 24.02 in D 11.82 in
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
$2,827 / 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
$1,295
H 8.86 in W 5.32 in D 5.32 in
"Skyscraper Vase" by Josef Hoffmann, Bieffeplast Production, Wiener Werkstätt
By Bieffeplast, Josef Hoffmann
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
$21,909
H 27.96 in W 33.47 in D 9.85 in
Original Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstatte Vienna Secessonist Flower Stand
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
A typical work from the early period of the Wiener Werkstatte. Punched iron sheet, white lacquered. See similar items - Wiener Werkstatte pattern books as displayed. No signature.
Metal
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
Josef Hoffmann Brass Chalice
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
Josef Hoffmann’s fluted brass chalice was based on the elegant form of the Doric column, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek architecture to convey a sense of timeless order and p...
Brass