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 Chair Kolo Moser and Josef Hoffmann Attr. Jugendstil, Wiener Werkstätte
By Koloman Moser, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
An armchair with design-vocabulary used by Kolo Moser and Josef Hoffmann in their early works from 1901 on.
Nutwood
Wiener Werkstätte Modernist Chairs in Walnut, Original Taupe Velvet Upholstery
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early 20th century pair of Wiener Werkstätte Modernist chairs in walnut, original taupe velvet upholstery, still usable. Measures cm: H100/50, W 45, D 45.
Velvet, Walnut
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
Original Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstätte Chair Early 20th Century 1903
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
A very rare chair from the early stages of the Wiener Werkstätte. Variations were displayed at the Neustiftgasse showrooms of the Werkstatte and were also placed at the Brauner Mansi...
Fabric, Beech
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
Pair of Original Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Chairs 1904 Jugendstil
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Josef Hoffmann designed in the early stages of the Wiener Werkstätte apartments for the Wittgenstein Family in Vienna and Berlin. The significant pattern from this period were the st...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Dagobert Peche & Wiener Werkstaette Attributed Art Deco Chairs, 1920
By Dagobert Peche, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Two very elegant parlor chairs with the typical ornaments Dagobert Peche has used circa 1920s, compare similar ornaments. Material. Carved beechwood, stained seat cover in silk, show...
Beech
Original Pair of Carl Witzmann Chairs House Bergmann Jugendstil Secession Style
By Wiener Werkstätte, Carl Witzmann, Woka Lamps
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
$1,452Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.25 in W 16.25 in D 18.5 in
Josef Hoffmann 'Fledermaus Bat' Chair Model No.728
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Basel, BS
Designed by the renowned Viennese architect Josef Hoffmann in 1907 for the Fledermaus Cafe in Vienna, this single "Fledermaus" Model number 728, aka "Bat" Cafe chair features black upholstery covering the seat and backrest. The chair is supported by four cylindrical legs with spherical elements, showcasing a tub back with a horseshoe form base. Crafted from bent beech wood, this rare chair was specifically created for the Cabaret Fledermaus in Vienna as one of Hoffmann's iconic designs. Representing a significant moment in design history, the chair is featured in the J. & J. Kohn catalogues as model no. 728. With its sleek bentwood frame, swooping armrests, and curved backrests, the chair exudes elegance and sophistication. The Fledermaus chairs embody Hoffmann's renowned Viennese Secessionist style, known for its simple geometric shapes and use of high-quality materials. Considered a bold departure from traditional European nightclubs, the design quickly gained popularity for its iconic and innovative aesthetic. This is an authentic Hoffmann chair manufactured by Wittman, the authorized manufacturer of the Fledermaus starting in the 1970s. This chair was sold by "Teo Jacob...
Leather, Faux Leather, Beech
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
$4,615 / 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
Josef Hoffmann Chair for Wittman Wiener Werkstatte Art Deco
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in Atlanta, GA
Josef Hoffmann chair for Wittman Wiener Werkstatte. This chair was created circa 1990s after a 1920s design.
Upholstery, Wood, Bentwood
Secession Armchair by Josef Hoffmann
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession armchair by Josef Hoffmann professionally stained and repolished. Signed J&J Kohn Teschen Austria.
Bentwood
$1,593Sale 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
$4,129 / set
H 36.62 in W 15.36 in D 16.54 in
Set of 4 Bat Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann Austria
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
The wood is a feast for the eyes. The seat cushions need replacing, as they have holes and wear marks. The back cushions are OK, but probably need reupholstering too.
Elm
$4,372
H 30.32 in W 20.87 in D 21.66 in
ART NOUVEAU CHAIR by THONET + JACOB & JOSEF KOHN WIENER WERKSTATTE Austria 1900
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional and extremely rare Model N°6009 chair with armrests, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, in dark brown bended & lacquered wood, with superb backrest and airy armrests in folded woo...
Wood
Secession Fledermaus armchairs by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession Fledermaus armchairs by Josef Hoffmann. Professionally stained and repolished with new fabric.
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
$2,556 / item
H 29.14 in W 20.87 in D 18.12 in
Customizable Wittmann Fledermaus Chair by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
Price listed for starting fabric. Specially designed in 1907 for the Fledermaus cabaret in Vienna, this suite still stands for exceptional bentwood craft. The runners and the wooden...
Leather, Fabric
$1,943
H 29.73 in W 22.45 in D 20.28 in
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
$8,600 / set
H 29 in W 18 in D 17 in
Vintage Josef Hoffmann Cabaret Fledermaus Chairs in Zebra, Set of Four
By Josef Hoffmann, Alivar
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Vintage Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Chairs. Designed in 1906 by Josef Hoffmann for the Wiener Werkstatte and featured in the J. & J. Kohn catalogues as model no. 728, Hoffmann chose t...
Zebra Hide, Beech