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 Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstätte Chair Early 20th Century 1903
By Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
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
Original Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann Chair, 1912
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte
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 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
Pair of Original Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Chairs 1904 Jugendstil
By Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps, 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
Original Chair Kolo Moser and Josef Hoffmann Attr. Jugendstil, Wiener Werkstätte
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser
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
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
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
$2,494 / set
H 29.14 in W 22.64 in D 18.12 in
2 Wittmann Fledermaus Chairs by Josef Hoffmann, Austria (Customizable)
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Argelato, BO
Set di due sedie modello "Fledermaus" (che significa "pipistrello" in tedesco), progettato dall'architetto e designer austriaco Josef Hoffmann nel 1907. Originariamente concepito per...
Bentwood
$1,420Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.25 in W 16.25 in D 18.5 in
Josef Hoffmann 'Fledermaus Bat' Chair Model No.728
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
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 Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
1907 Viennese Josef Hoffmann for Thonet Fledermaus Chair
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1907, Vienna. A bent beech chair designed in 1907 by illustrious Viennese architect Josef Hoffmann for the Fledermaus Cabaret in Vienna. This design, a bold and radical departure fro...
Mohair, Beech
Vintage Josef Hoffmann Cabaret Fledermaus Chairs in Zebra, Pair
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
$4,038 / 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
Art Deco Chair by Josef Hoffmann, Austria, Early 20th Century
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Antwerp, BE
Emerging from Josef Hoffmann’s early 20th century work, this Art Deco chair conveys the designer’s central role in shaping modern design in Austria. As a leading figure of the Vienna...
Textile, Wood
$3,919 / set
H 29.14 in W 22.64 in D 18.12 in
Josef Hoffmann, Pair of Fledermaus Chairs, Austria, 1905 (First Edition)
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Argelato, BO
Pair of chair in bent beech designed by the illustrious Viennese architect Joseph Hoffmann for the Cabaret Fledermaus in Vienna in 1907. In their sober and unmistakable style, they ...
Bentwood
$4,800 / set
H 29 in W 20 in D 18 in
Vintage Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Chairs in Chiarastella Cattana Altheas, Pair
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Vintage Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Chairs by WITTMANN. Ebony stain. Newly upholstered in Chiarastella Cattana Altheas. Authentic Austrian-made chairs by Wittmann, featuring the ico...
Beech
$10,356Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 15.75 in D 19.69 in
Wittmann - Josef Hoffmann - Fledermaus - Chair (6) - Beech
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in Budapest, HU
This remarkable set of six **Fledermaus chairs**, designed by the visionary Austrian architect **Josef Hoffmann** in the early 1900s and masterfully crafted by **Wittmann**, represen...
Leather, Beech
Original Josef Hoffmann & Kohn Jacob Chair from 1914
By Josef Hoffmann, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A very rare undocumented chair by Josef Hoffmann and J&J Kohn. An identical chair with leather upholstery is available as well.
Bentwood
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