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.
Unique Low Cabinet with Intarsia by Viktor Lurje for Wiener Werkstätte c. 1926
By Wiener Werkstätte, Viktor Lurje
Located in Berlin, DE
Unique low cabinet with intarsia designed by the architect, artist and craftsman Viktor Lurje (1883-1944) and manufactured by Wiener Werkstätte GmbH, circa 1926. Together with Oskar ...
Wood
Original Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Cabinet for Mimi Marlow 20th Century
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
For the private saloon of the then famous soubrette Mimi Marlow, who was also performing in the legendary "Fledermaus Cabaret," which was designed by Josef Hoffmann and executed by t...
Oak
18th Century Country French Cabinet
Located in Pomona, CA
A French Provincial cabinet of cupboards and drawers. Doors decorated with floral urns. Bead design around doors and drawers. Brass hardware,...
Oak
$1,200
H 31.42 in W 25.52 in D 11.74 in
Japanese Vintage Cabinet with Glass Doors, Early Showa Period “1926–”
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This Japanese antique glass door cabinet was crafted in the Early Showa Period (1926–1940s). Constructed primarily from chestnut wood and t...
Chestnut
18th Century French Country Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charming cabinet with two doors and carved diamond shaped decoration. Note the cupid's bow leg shape. Lots of storage!
Wood
20th Century Rustic Pine Cabinet
Located in Southampton, NY
20th Century Rustic Pine Cabinet A simply constructed pine cabinet with two doors and a central rail. A grey-ish painted wash gives creates a beautiful patina. Two porcelain knobs a...
Pine
Pair of Sheraton Revival Small Locking Cabinets
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of interesting and lovely single door walnut cabinets with satinwood decorative inlay, probably Edwardian made in the Sheraton taste. Each has a single pull-out open drawer shelf. Possibly bedside lockers...
Satinwood, Walnut
$11,377
H 53.15 in W 39.77 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury Modern Cabinet by Erik Matsson, Mjölby Intarsia, Sweden, 1940s
By Mjölby Intarsia
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful cabinet from Mjölby Intarsia, made from mahogany with doors inlayed with a paradisical naturalism motif by Erik Matsson. It depicts a man and animals on a small island, car...
Mahogany
19th Century English Olivewood and Brass Inlaid Cabinet
By Town & Emanuel
Located in London, GB
A William IV cabinet attributed to Town and Emmanuel Constructed in a strongly grained olivewood and dressed with gold brass inlays and an etched and engraved brass panel; rising from a plinth base, the lockable single door having an inset panel in the manner of Jean Berain, enclosing a shelved interior, and flanked by narrow vertical conforming panels; the apron being dressed with three bronze rosettes, and the Jura Jaune marble is dressed with a three quarter arcaded brass gallery, circa 1830 The cabinet is illustrated and discussed in Christopher Payne’s “British Furniture 1820 to 1920” published in 2023. Payne singles out the rarity of the olivewood timber used as well as the necessity for hand cutting the large marquetry panel. Literature: Payne, Christopher. British Furniture 1820 to 1920 : The Luxury Market. ACC Art Books, 2023, pp. 38-39 (illus. fig. 1.33). Town and Emanuel Recorded in the 'Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840', published by the Furniture History Society, as being situated at 103 New Bond Street between 1830 and 1840, and apart from being manufacturers of furniture, also dealt in 'curiosities and antiques'. The late renowned connoisseur Christopher Gilbert records in his 'Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture' London 1997, also published by the Furniture History Society, a writing table in the Transitional manner with similar plaques. Their label reads 'Town and Emanuel, manufacturers of Buhl Marquetrie, Resner (sic) & Carved Furniture, tripods, screens & c. of the finest and most superb designs of the Louis 14th. Splendid cabinets and tables inlaid with fine Sevres and Dresden china...
Marble, Brass
Mid Century Cabinet in the Form of Bass Cello Great Storage
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous bass Cello storage cabinet. Has 4 shelves that are 5 x 5 x 10.5. Door opens and closes with ease. Well made, high quality. In excellent vintage con...
Iron
$5,500Sale Price|50% Off
H 47.25 in W 35.04 in D 16.93 in
Swedish Modern 1930s Cabinet by Vingåkers Möbelfabrik with Mjölby Intarsia Decor
By Mjölby Intarsia
Located in Örebro, SE
This is the Swedish Modern 1930s Cabinet with detailed Mjölby Intarsia-decor from Vingåkers Möbelfabrik. It comes in very good condition, made of birc...
Birch, Plywood, Elm, Walnut
19th Century French Marquetry Cabinet with Marble Top
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is an elegant Louis XV style walnut cabinet. The gray variegated marble top rests over a single door with satinwood marquetry in the form of a floral arrangement in an urn. The cabinet has a beautifully shaped apron flanked by gilt metal paw...
Marble, Metal
Gustavian 19th Century Cabinet with Original Paint
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A Swedish Gustavian cabinet from the 19th century or earlier with its original vibrant paint, reeded doors, and an open shelf. The top portion is removable and features a sharply mol...
Metal
Towering Skyscraper Storage Cabinet by Maitland Smith 1980s
By Tony Duquette
Located in Dallas, TX
This Maitland Smith hommage to Paul Frankl's "Skyscraper Furniture" Features 18 Drawers two drawers and a pull-out shelf. It is a post-modern mast...
Brass