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
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 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 Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
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
Restored Art Deco Armchair, Wien. Werkstätte, J. Hoffmann, Austria, 1910s
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
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
Sold|$1,520
H 31 in W 15 in D 16.5 in
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
1970s French Tan Brutalist Oak Upholstered Armchair
Located in High Point, NC
This 1970s Brutalist oak upholstered armchair from France is made in carved oak with a deep cream cushion. The chunky carved frame and the deep cushions make it comfortable and sculp...
Fabric, Oak
Salon Set by Josef Hoffmann, 1910s, Excellent Condition
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
Art nouveau sofa set Thonet, J/J Kohn, upholstered in genuine leather, designed by architect Josef Hoffmann for the Fledermaus cabaret in Vienna, Austria, completely restored, newly ...
Leather, Bentwood
$10,057 / set
H 37.8 in W 25.99 in D 20.48 in
Set of Four Josef Hoffmann Armloffel Chairs Made by Wittmann, Austria
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
- Chairs designed by Josef Hoffmann and made by Wittmann of Austria - Originally designed in 1908, these examples are from the latter part of the 20th century. - Ebonized ash fram...
Wood, Leather
$4,342 / 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
$2,285
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
Jugendstil chairs in style of Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Jugendstil chairs in style of Josef Hoffmann in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Leather, Beech, Bentwood
$7,500 / set
H 26 in W 18.5 in D 19.5 in
Pair of Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Upholstered Side Chairs Original Fabric
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Sharon, CT
Extremely rare pair of Wiener Werkstätte upholstered chairs. In the original Wiener Werkstatte fabric. All designed by Josef Hoffmann. Origina...
Wood
Adjustable Armchair by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Very rare adjustable armchair with attributes of Josef Hoffmann executed by Jacob & Josef Kohn or Wienner Werkstatte. Professionally stained and repolished.
Bentwood
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
$6,995 / set
H 39.8 in W 31.5 in D 32.3 in
Brutalist Armchair in Cream Wood and Fabric, French Design, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A cream wood, Brutalist-style armchair, dating to the 1970s and made in France. The wood frame is finished in fabric, combining structural presence with tactile comfort. Brutalist de...
Fabric, Wood
Sculptural Sofa by Wiener Werkstätte, Austria, 1980's
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in amstelveen, NL
Stunning and rare large sculptural sectional sofa by Wiener Werkstätte, 1970. Very distinctive design and extraordinary shapes. New upholstered in a high-quality terracotta color P...
Leather, Chenille
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
Secession Armchair by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession armchair by Josef Hoffmann professionally stained and repolished. Signed J&J Kohn Teschen Austria.
Bentwood
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 Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
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 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 Wiener Werkstätte, Thonet
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Thonet armchairs by Wiener Werkstätte, Model No. 511. Model featured in the Thonet catalog.
Beech