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.
1970s Wiener Werkstätte Brutalist Letaher Adjustable Armchair
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition - Leather with some signs of use - The back rest is adjustable and can be fixed in three different positions.
Leather
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Armchair Restored Re-Upholstered Leather
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Era Art Nouveau, early 20th century museal modernist Wiener Werkstätte armchair restored re-upholstered leather by Josef Hoffmann. Solid walnut wood structure with original patina, with cast bronze...
Bronze
Restored Art Deco Armchair, Wien. Werkstätte, J. Hoffmann, Austria, 1910s
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Art Deco armchair comes from Austria from the early 20th century. It is the work of the renowned architect Josef Hoffmann and was produced in the famous Wiener Werkstätt...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer
Original Pair of Carl Witzmann Chairs House Bergmann Jugendstil Secession Style
By Carl Witzmann, Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely rare pair of armchairs for the dining salon of the Bergmann Villa near Vienna. The Interior of the Villa Bergmann Shows especially the begin of the modern Architecture in 1...
Elm
Austrian All Original Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Armchairs, Wood of Walnut
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Era Art Nouveau, early 20th century modernist Wiener Werkstätte armchair by Josef Hoffmann. Solid walnut wood structure with original patina Measures cm: H 97/45, W 53, D 50 ...
Walnut
Pair of Custom Tiger Print Chairs in the Style of Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in Dallas, TX
Fabulous pair of custom built chairs with tiger print upholstery (as shown) or your choice of fabric for $5600 + 12 yards COM.
Fabric
On Hold|$1,250
H 27.5 in W 22 in D 19.5 in
Josef Hoffmann Chair for Wittman Wiener Werkstatte Art Deco
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Atlanta, GA
Josef Hoffmann chair for Wittman Wiener Werkstatte. This chair was created circa 1990s after a 1920s design.
Upholstery, Wood, Bentwood
$1,440
H 27.17 in W 22.45 in D 19.89 in
Art Deco chair by Josef Hoffmann for Wittman Wiener Werkstatte, original fabric
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Milano, IT
Art Deco Armchair by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann - Wiener Werkstätte An exceptional Art Deco armchair by the renowned Viennese master Josef Hoffmann, produced by Wittmann within the...
Fabric, Wood
$4,561 / set
H 30.32 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Restored Art Deco Seating Set, by J. Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Czech, 1910s
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Sofa dimensions: Height: 77 cm (30.3 in) Width: 120 cm (47.2 in) Depth: 60 cm (23.6 in) Seat: 45 cm (17.7 in) Chair dimensions: Height: 77 cm (30.3 in) Width: 57 cm (22.4 in) Depth:...
Wood, Walnut, Beech, Lacquer
$2,400
H 28.75 in W 23.63 in D 20.48 in
Josef Hoffmann Variation of Art Nouveau "Fledermaus" Armchair by Fischel
By Josef Hoffmann, Fischel
Located in Praha, CZ
- wooden parts made of beechwood has been refurbished and finished by shellac - original springs - needs to be reupholstered - made in Czechoslovakia - labeled by producer
Fabric, Beech
$5,900
H 30.31 in W 32.28 in D 30.71 in
20th Century Art Nouveau Black Armchair, School Of Josef Hoffmann, AT ca. 1910
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Absolute stunning black early 20th century armchair from the famous "Vienna secession" period around 1910 in Austria. This rare, architectural Art Nouveau armchair - attributed to th...
Brass
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 21.66 in D 20.87 in
J.&J. Kohn - Josef Hoffmann - Armchair - Fledermaus - Beech
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Budapest, HU
This Fledermaus armchair, designed by Josef Hoffmann for J.&J. Kohn around 1900, is a striking example of early 20th-century Viennese design. Hoffmann, a key figure in the Wiener Wer...
Fabric, Beech
Fledermaus Armchair by Josef Hoffmann, Stained Wood & Brown Leather
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in San Francisco, US
A “Fledermaus” tinted wood armchair in stained curved wood, horseshoe-shaped structure highlighted with spheres. Seat and back covered in original re-dyed brown leather edged with up...
Leather, Wood
$5,281 / set
H 33.86 in W 28.35 in D 35.04 in
1930s Rare Restored Adjustable Art Deco Armchairs, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- carefully refurbished - Newly upholstered - Adjustable backrest 86-95 cm - Height of seat 39 cm
Fabric, Wood
$1,574Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32.68 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Josef Hoffmann Armchair – Model No. A 811/F for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Budapest, HU
Josef Hoffmann Armchair – Model No. A 811/F for Thonet (1900s) This exquisite armchair, Model No. A 811/F, designed by the renowned architect and designer Josef Hoffmann for Thonet ...
Reed, Beech
Original Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann Chair, 1912
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
An excellent example of the more decorative phase of Josef Hoffmann, before the WW1. Carpenter Jakob Soulek for the Wiener Werkstätte. Exhibited first in 1912 at the Museum für Kunst...
Pearwood
$3,600
H 38.19 in W 23.63 in D 33.47 in
1970s Wicker and Bamboo Armchair with Adjustable Backrest and Footrest
Located in Marbella, ES
Sillón de mimbre y bambu de los años 1970, con respaldo regulable y apoyapies.
Bamboo, Wicker
Sold
H 30.32 in W 22.45 in D 21.26 in
Pair of Restored ArtDeco Armchairs, Wien. Werkstätte, J. Hoffmann, Austria 1900s
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant pair of Art Deco armchairs comes from Austria from the early 20th century. They are the work of architect Josef Hoffmann and were produced in Wiener Werkstätte. The armc...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer, Beech, Mahogany
Restored Art Deco Pedestal, Oak, Brass, J. F. M. Hoffmann, Austria, 1920s
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Art Deco Pedestal Designed By Josef Franz Maria Hoffmann. Designer: Josef Franz Maria Hoffmann Maker: Wiener Werkstätte Period: 1920 - 1929 Source: Austria Material: Oak, B...
Brass
Pair of Thonet Armchairs, Model No. 511 by Wiener Werkstätte
By Thonet, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Thonet armchairs by Wiener Werkstätte, Model No. 511. Model featured in the Thonet catalog.
Beech