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.
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
$1,994Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
Unavailable|$4,510 / 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 Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
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
$1,899Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
Purkersdorf armchairs By Josef Hoffmann - not signed
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Paddington, NSW
Totally restored with the original patina. Not signed. Josef Hoffmann (1870–1956) was an influential Austrian architect and designer, known for his pivotal role in the development o...
Fabric, Lacquer
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
$1,557Sale 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 Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
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
$3,560
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
Rare Armchair by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet-Mundus
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare beech bentwood frame, leather upholstery. Designed circa 1900-1910 by Josef Hoffmann for Cabaret Fledermaus in Vienna. Made by Thonet. Delivery time about 4-6 weeks. Price per c...
Beech, Bentwood
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
Pair of Carl Malmsten of Armchairs, circa 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten Armchairs, circa 1950s A pair of upholstered armchairs from Swedish master: Carl Malmsten. This model is a lighter variation on the Samsas chair with taller legs. This...
Bouclé, Beech
Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstätte Haus Brauner chair 1903
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
This rare chair comes from the estate of a Viennese antiques dealer. He acquired it in the 1970s with the provenance statement that it came from the Villa Brauner (Geweygasse 11, Hoh...
Maple
$30,576Sale Price|20% Off
H 49.22 in W 16.93 in D 18.51 in
Josef Hoffmann Armchair: Viennese Secession Design, 1902
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
This piece is a significant example of furniture designed by Josef Hoffmann, created as a variation of the furnishings for the apartment of Dr. Salzer. Its strict, architectural desi...
Softwood
Pair of Thonet Armchairs, Model No. 511 by Wiener Werkstätte
By Wiener Werkstätte, Thonet
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Thonet armchairs by Wiener Werkstätte, Model No. 511. Model featured in the Thonet catalog.
Beech