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 Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
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
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
Original Pair of Carl Witzmann Chairs House Bergmann Jugendstil Secession Style
By Woka Lamps, Carl Witzmann, 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
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
$4,205Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 20.08 in D 17.33 in
Art Nouveau Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus dining chairs, Austria, 1900s, set of 4
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Fledermaus Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann, 1980s Fledermaus set in Art Nouveau style consisting of four chairs, executed by the company Wittmann. The design is by Josef Hoffm...
Cotton, Beech, Bentwood
$4,499 / 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
$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
Secession Armchair by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession armchair by Josef Hoffmann professionally stained and repolished. Signed J&J Kohn Teschen Austria.
Bentwood
Thonet, Armchairs, Wood, Fabric, Austria, 1900s
By Thonet
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood and brown fabric armchairs produced by Thonet, Vienna, Austria, c. 1900s. With paper labels. Upholstery distressed; reupholstery recommended. Wear to wood frame cons...
Fabric, Wood
French Artdeco Armchair, 1930s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Artdeco armchair made in france 1950s.
Fabric, Wood
$12,787
H 30.71 in W 20.87 in D 17.33 in
Original Josef Hoffmann/Gebrüder J&J Kohn Chair, Early 20th Century, Jugendstil
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare and so far undocumented armchair by Josef Hoffmann, original leather upholstery, branding iron J&J Kohn. An identical chair with a different upholstery is available as well.
Leather, Beech
$947Sale 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
$2,364
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
Two Brutalist Rustic Armchairs, 1970s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare pair of Brutalist Rustic armchairs. Striking Dutch design from the 1970s. Solid oak frames with nicely architectural shaped seats and backrests. This wonderful pair...
Oak
Restored Art Deco Pedestal, Oak, Brass, J. F. M. Hoffmann, Austria, 1920s
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
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