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.
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
Pair of Original Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Chairs 1904 Jugendstil
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
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
$5,097Sale Price / set|21% Off
H 32 in W 17.75 in D 20.5 in
Set of Four Ebonized Art Deco Dining Chairs by Jindřich Halabala, 1930
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Czech set of four black Art Deco dining room chairs made of hand crafted ebonized Wood designed Jindrich Halabala, in good condition. The side chairs are standing on four l...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Ebony
$2,938 / set
H 29.93 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
1920s Art Deco Side Chairs in Walnut, Original Sitting with Abstract Upholstery
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid-20th century Art Deco side chairs in walnut, with original sitting and futurism abstract upholstery. Very special and aesthetic effect. Excellent conditions, restored and wax-po...
Walnut, Fabric
$4,013 / 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 Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
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
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
$10,292Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 15.75 in D 19.69 in
Wittmann - Josef Hoffmann - Fledermaus - Chair (6) - Beech
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
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
$3,895 / 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
Set of six Josef Hoffmann chairs, circa 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
Pair of Wrought Iron French Art Deco Chairs with Zebra Print
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exquisite pair of beautifully designed French Art Deco wrought iron Chairs upholstered in Zebra printed Cowhide. Use the pair as an ar...
Iron, Wrought Iron
$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 Aus...
Beech
$6,500 / set
H 39 in W 16 in D 24 in
Pair of Chairs by Josef Hoffmann, Model 511, for Thonet, Circa 1904, Austria
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Pair of Chairs by Josef Hoffmann, Model 511, for Thonet, Circa 1904, Austria. The frame is made of stained solid beech with a cane seat and the backrest with three turne...
Beech
$4,013 / set
H 31.89 in W 15.75 in D 17.72 in
Pair of Salon Chair No.423 by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Pair of Cabaret Fledermaus chairs no.423 by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn after professional renovation with new fabric.
Fabric, Beech
$2,360 / set
H 29.53 in W 16.54 in D 17.72 in
Pair of Art Nouveau Beech Wood and Striped Velvet Austrian Chairs, 1910
Located in Roma, Lazio
Very elegant appearance due the use of not common fabric, coming from particular Italian silk factory, this gentle upholstery gives these armchairs a very luxurious appearance. The ...
Beech, Velvet