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.
Pair of Original Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Chairs 1904 Jugendstil
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
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 Pair of Carl Witzmann Chairs House Bergmann Jugendstil Secession Style
By Carl Witzmann, Woka Lamps, 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
Original Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann Chair, 1912
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, 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 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
Original Chair Kolo Moser and Josef Hoffmann Attr. Jugendstil, Wiener Werkstätte
By Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
An armchair with design-vocabulary used by Kolo Moser and Josef Hoffmann in their early works from 1901 on.
Nutwood
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
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
$4,250 / set
H 32.29 in W 21.26 in D 20.87 in
Set Of Two Josef Hoffmann Chair No.406 Fledermaus For Jacob & Josef Kohn 1900s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set of Two Josef Hoffmann Chair No.728 FLEDERMAUS For Jacob & Josef Kohn 1900s
Fabric, Wood
$1,411Sale 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
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
$4,484 / 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
$2,360
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
$2,478 / 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
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
A 811 Chair By Josef Hoffmann or Josef Frank for Thonet 1920s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Čelinac, BA
Josef Hoffmann or Josef Frank chair A 811 for Thonet 1920s
Bentwood
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
$21,243 / set
H 31.11 in W 17.72 in D 15.75 in
Set of Six Josef Hoffmann Mid-Century Modern Chairs, Austria, 1925
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Set of six Josef Hoffmann chairs, circa 1925 This refined chair, part of a set of six attributed to Josef Hoffmann and dating to around 1925, showcases the architect’s unmistakable a...
Wood
$3,894 / 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
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