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.
Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte Castell Sectional Sofa in Cognac Leather
By Hans Hopfer, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte 'Castell' modular sofa, leather, Austria, design 1972 Stunning and sizable modular sofa designed by Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte. This grand ...
Leather
Hans Hopfer "Brioche" Sofa with Ottoman for Neue Wiener Werkstätte, 1970s
By Hans Hopfer, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Hans Hopfer "Brioche" Sofa with Ottoman for Neue Wiener Werkstätte, candy velvet, 1970s A sculptural presence in any room, the "Brioche" sofa by Hans Hopfer for Rolf Benz embodies t...
Velvet
Mid-Century Hans Hopfer 'Castell' Modular Sofa, Knoll Fabric, Five Pieces
By Wiener Werkstätte, Hans Hopfer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hans Hopfer designed the Castell modular seating system for Wiener Werkstätte, exemplifying the Austrian approach to flexible furniture design during the Mid-Century period. The syst...
Upholstery
Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte Castell Lounge Chair in Cognac Leather
By Wiener Werkstätte, Hans Hopfer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte 'Castell' lounge chair, leather, Austria, design 1972 Stunning and sizable lounge chair designed by Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte. This grand ...
Leather
Wiener Werkstätten Castell Hans Hopfer Sectional Sofa Group, Austria, 1972
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare 'Castell' leather sofa group by Hans Hopfer, Wiener Werkstätte, Austria, circa 1972 Well preserved sofa all in original vintage, super preserved condition. Normally these are destined to have been rather worn out throughout the last 50 years, whereas this ensemble hasn't. The light brown leather is still in wonderful, smooth condition with no major blemishes, a beautiful patina and minimal partial staining. It can be combined in various positions and constellations, be it as large single sofa with large chair and ottoman or as an ensemble. It's wrapped in leather all around. The long 'sofa' with the back cushions however should be placed against the wall as the middle part has got 3 loose cushions. It's marked at the reverse of the upholstery (Wiener Werkstätten...
Steel
Sculptural sofa in beige by Wiener Werkstätte, Austria 1970s
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Fantastic, organic shaped sofa in beige colored cotton upholstery by Wiener Werkstätte, Austria 1970s. A rare custom made design in the 1970s with each sofa to become a masterpiece. ...
Cotton, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Curved or Circular Modular Serpentine Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A six piece modular sofa circa 1970's. These feature their original burnt orange wool fabric. In usable condition but would look great with updated fabric. We have 2 matching sofas...
Fabric
Modular De Sede Sofa DS-12 in Cognac Leather, 70s
By De Sede
Located in Halle, DE
Modular De Sede sofa from the 70s. Model DS-12, Switzerland. Covered in the original brown/cognac buffalo leather with a great patina. The modules are held together with screws and t...
Leather
$17,630 / set
H 24.41 in W 137.8 in D 63 in
COR Trio Sectional Sofa in New Burnt Orange Fabric, Germany / Switzerland, 1972
By Team Form AG, COR
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
This COR TRIO sofa has been new upholstered in an amazing burnt orange high pole velvet fabric, just like the original orange. The fabric is extremely comfortable and cozy. We have m...
Fabric
$5,547Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 72.84 in D 34.65 in
De Sede DS46 Cognac Buffalo Leather Sectional Sofa, Switzerland - 1976
By De Sede
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
De Sede DS-46 sofa in thick Buffalo leather. Good condition with signs of age, use and fading. Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: De Sede Country: Switzerland Model: DS-46 sofa Design ...
Leather
$29,384 / set
H 24.81 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Large COR Trio Sectional Sofa, Germany / Switzerland 1972 NEW VELVET UPHOLSTERY
By Team Form AG, COR
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Vintage COR Trio Sofa in new Dark Chocolate Brown Velvet. The velvet can easily be brushed to give it a different look, with lighter and darker brown tones (see different looks in th...
Fabric, Velvet
Monumental Omnibus Sectional Sofa Designed by Vladimir Kagan, 1970s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Hamburg, PA
A monumental three-piece sectional Omnibus sofa by Vladimir Kagan, 1970s. This very large sofa would look great in any Mid-Century Modern or Contemporary home. The scale is wonderful, however, new upholstery is recommended. The lucite bases are in good condition with age-appropriate wear. A classic masterpiece! From the Complete Vladimir Kagan book...
Upholstery, Lucite
$48,191 / set
H 27.56 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Large Mah Jong sofa in original fabric by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois 35 pieces
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Large Mah Jong sectional sofa in original fabric designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in original fabric. The sofa features 35 pieces: 20 seat cushions 9 backrest (2 corner back...
Fabric, Foam, Plywood
Mid-Century Modern Curved Sectional L Shaped Sofa
By Carsons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A curvy three piece sectional designed by Carson's Furniture and produced in the early 1980s. It features a unique over lapping cushion design. Fabric is original, and dated, but usa...
Fabric
$5,000 / set
H 27.56 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Hans Hopfer 'Mah Jong' Sectional Sofa Lounge Chair by Roche Bobois, France 1990s
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Wien, AT
In 1971, Hans Hopfer created the Mah Jong Sofa for Roche Bobois: a system of fully modular floor units that champion complete freedom of form and function. Avant-garde at the time of...
Fabric
$23,800
H 24 in W 114 in D 114 in
Mah Jong sectional sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois (1970s) ink blue velvet
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mah Jong sectional sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois (1970s) reupholstered in ink blue velvet. Sublime nine piece set, endlessly modular, just in from east coast auction. Viewabl...
Velvet, Foam
Mah Jong sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Marseille, FR
Mah Jong sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, 1970s, entirely reupholstered by Relax Factory workshop in Marseille, France, in a beautiful Limon linen Pierre Frey fabric. Excellent...
Linen
Monumental Adrian Pearsall Sectional Sofa for Craft, 1970s
By Craft, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hamburg, PA
A monumental Adrian Pearsall sectional sofa for Craft. This sectional sofa can be arranged in multiple configurations, as shown in the images...
Upholstery
Sold
H 29.5 in W 113 in D 35.25 in
Hans Hopfer 'Castell' Blue Modular Sectional Sofa for Wiener Werkstätte, 1970s
By Hans Hopfer, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An iconic example of Post-Modern design, this highly versatile 'Castell' modular sectional sofa was designed by Hans Hopfer for the Neue Wiener Werkstätte in the early 1970s. This si...
Fabric
Sculptural Sectional Sofa by Wiener Werkstätte, 1970s
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Very rare sectional sofa manufactured in the 1970s by Wiener Werkstätten The sofa consists of 4 interconnected segments that create a stunning scu...
Suede
Sold
H 27.55 in W 134 in D 35.43 in
Sectional Sofa Group by Wiener Werkstätten Brown Leather Croissant, Austria 1970
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare vintage sculptural Croissant-ish Sofa Group (5 sectional elements + 1 chair) Wiener Werkstätte, Austria, circa 1970 Astonishingly well preserved freestanding mid-century sofa with a distinctive design and extraordinary shapes including one cosy chair, all in original vintage, super preserved condition. Normally these are destined to have been rather worn out throughout the last 50 years, whereas this ensemble hasn't. The rich, brown, cognac-ish leather is still in wonderful condition with no major blemishes, a beautiful patina, minimal partial staining. The French pastry-like pillows are interlocking and have an almost voluptuous appeal. Amazing to see it standing freely in the space, but also beautiful placed against a wall. It's marked at the reverse of the upholstery (Wiener Werkstätten...
Steel
Sculptural Sectional Sofa Group by Wiener Werstätten, 1970
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Stunning large sectional sofa group by Wiener Werstätten, 1970. Very distinctive design and extraordinary shapes. The sofa group consists 5 elements, 2 poufs and a loose chair...
Velvet