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.
$1,952Sale 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
Original Pair of Carl Witzmann Chairs House Bergmann Jugendstil Secession Style
By Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps, Carl Witzmann
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
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
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
$2,325
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
$4,418 / 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
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
$4,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 42 in W 31 in D 23 in
Lovely Pair of Flower Back Grosfeld House Armchairs Hollywood Regency
By Grosfeld House
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A spectacular pair of Grosfeld House chairs featuring a flower shaped backrest, channeled arms and an intricate carved wooden frame. A rare and completely stunning pair of chairs fro...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$4,092Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Rare Pair of James Mont Style Bent Beech and Cane Arm Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A masterfully designed pair of bent beech wood chairs with hand caned back. In the James Mont designed King Cole Penthouse in Miami, Mont used this very cha...
Leather, Wood
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
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
$755
H 37.41 in W 24.81 in D 17.72 in
Dutch Brutalist Solid Oak Armchair with Reupholstered Leather Seat, 1970s
Located in Debrecen, HU
A strong yet calm character piece, combining sculptural wooden construction with understated natural elegance. The solid frame gives the chair a grounded, architectural presence, whi...
Leather, Oak
Pair of Brutalist Armchairs by Mobilgirgi, 1970s
By Mobil Girgi
Located in Buzzò, Emilia-Romagna
Experience the fusion of cognac leather and cherry wood from the 1970s, with this exclusive pair of brutalist armchairs by Mobilgirgi. These marvelous pieces of craftsmanship were pr...
Leather, Wood, Cherry
$3,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 35 in W 22 in D 24 in
Pair of Thonet Cafe Daum Style Bentwood Armchairs
By Salvatore Leone, Michael Thonet
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare pair of Michael Thonet Cafe Daum style bentwood armchairs produced by Salvatore Leone. Originally designed for the Cafe Daum in Vienna. These chairs fea...
Cane, Lacquer, Bentwood
$34,867
H 30.32 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
Great Set of 14 Armchairs by Thonet, Austria Josef Hoffmann Design
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Rome, IT
Set of 14 armchairs by Thonet, Austria The chairs were a part of a set made on order for a Villa in Götzens, Tirol, Austria Designer: Josef Hoffmann Materials : Steamed bent beechwo...
Beech, Ebony
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 Wiener Werkstätte, Thonet
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Thonet armchairs by Wiener Werkstätte, Model No. 511. Model featured in the Thonet catalog.
Beech