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 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
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 Dagobert Peche & Wiener Werkstaette Attributed Art Deco Chairs, 1920
By Wiener Werkstätte, Dagobert Peche
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
$2,974 / 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
$1,433
H 27.17 in W 22.45 in D 19.89 in
Art Deco chair by Josef Hoffmann for Wittman Wiener Werkstatte, original fabric
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Milano, IT
Art Deco Armchair by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann - Wiener Werkstätte An exceptional Art Deco armchair by the renowned Viennese master Josef Hoffmann, produced by Wittmann within the...
Fabric, Wood
$8,600 / set
H 29 in W 18 in D 17 in
Vintage Josef Hoffmann Cabaret Fledermaus Chairs in Zebra, Set of Four
By Alivar, Josef Hoffmann
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
$1,672Sale Price / set|60% Off
H 31.5 in W 12.6 in D 13.39 in
Rare Pair of Brass Child's Chairs Attributed to Marc Du Plantier, 1960s
By Marc du Plantier
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare and cool kid’s brass chairs attributed to Marc Du Plantier and made in the early 1960s. Beautiful geometric brass design towers to newly upholstered water green velvet seats by ...
Brass
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
$4,062 / 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
$3,942 / 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
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
$4,062 / 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 Banská Štiavnica, SK
Pair of Cabaret Fledermaus chairs no.423 by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn after professional renovation with new fabric.
Fabric, Beech
Leleu Art Deco Decorative Chairs
By Jules Leleu
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Pair of French Art Deco chairs, covered in shark skin with ivory like accents. Measures: Width 25", total height 23", seat height 18", depth 12".
Shagreen
$13,023 / set
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