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 Wiener Werkstätte, Hans Hopfer
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 "Castell" Sofa for Neue Wiener Werkstätte, Dark Brown Leather, 1972
By Hans Hopfer, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Hans Hopfer "Castell" sectional sofa for Neue Wiener Werkstätte, dark brown leather, Austria, 1972. The living room, reimagined as a landscape. Designed by Hans Hopfer, the Castell sofa...
Leather
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 "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
Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte Castell Lounge Chair in Cognac Leather
By Hans Hopfer, Wiener Werkstätte
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
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
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
Roche Bobois Mah Jong Sectional Sofa, Set of Eight
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Rochester, England
The Roche Bobois Mah Jong Sectional Sofa, Set of Eight, is a vibrant and versatile icon of modern design. Designed in the 1980s, this modular set allows for endless seating configura...
Fabric, Foam
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
$4,000 / 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 Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Wien, AT
Designed by Hans Hopfer in 1971 for Roche Bobois, the Mah Jong sofa remains one of the most influential and recognizable seating systems of the 20th century. Conceived as a collectio...
Fabric
$5,550Sale 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
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
$34,105 / set
H 26.4 in W 36.2 in D 36.2 in
Mario Bellini Brown Alpaca Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set of 5
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. The set features three modules with big backrest, and two modules with small backrest. Alpaca...
Velvet, Foam, Alpaca
$25,000 / set
H 20 in W 226 in D 76 in
Mah Jong Kenzo Missoni Sectional Sofa Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
By Kenzo Takada, Missoni, Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A rare and iconic 20th century 'Mah Jong' modular sectional sofa designed in 1971 by Hans Hopfer (Germany b. 1931) for Roche Bobois. The sofa is finished in an incredible blend of Ke...
Fabric, Cotton, Foam
SURGE SECTIONAL - Modern Sectional Sofa in Cream Faux Leather
By Susan Hornbeak-Ortiz
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
SURGE SECTIONAL - Modern Sectional Sofa in Cream Faux Leather The Surge Sectional Sofa in cream faux leather is a luxurious and stylish piece of furniture that is perfect for any mo...
Upholstery
Mah Jong sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
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
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
$10,500
H 22 in W 93 in D 35 in
Alberto Roselli "Confidential" sofa with ottoman for Saporiti Italia 1970s
By Alberto Rosselli Saporiti, Saporiti
Located in Skokie, IL
Alberto Roselli "Confidential" sofa with ottoman in newly upholstered in soft mohair for Saporiti Italia, 1970s. You can easily remove one section from the middle of the sofa if you ...
Steel
Monumental Adrian Pearsall Sectional Sofa for Craft, 1970s
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft
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