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 "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
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
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
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
Modular De Sede Sofa DS-12 in Cognac Leather, 70s
By De Sede
Located in Osnabrück, NDS
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
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
$33,193 / 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
$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 Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
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
$31,960Sale Price / set|26% Off
H 26.38 in W 37.8 in D 37.8 in
Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, a timeless piece of furniture that emerged in the design scene during the 1970s. Comprising four large and two smaller seatin...
Velvet
$14,880 / set
H 26.4 in W 36.2 in D 36.2 in
Mario Bellini White Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set Of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
“Camaleonda” sofa, in white velvet upholstery, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. Fully restored and reupholstered in Italy. The sofa is very comfort...
Velvet, Foam, Chenille
$22,434Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 149.61 in D 74.81 in
Roche Bobois Mah Jong Sectional Sofa by Hans Hopfer, Multicolor
By Roche Bobois
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Roche Bobois "Mah Jong" – Modular corner sofa, designed by Hans Hopfer, 2000s A modular arrangement consisting of 12 seats and 6 backrests, configured in a corner layout. Designed by...
Cotton, Satin, Velvet
$17,169 / set
H 27.56 in W 112.21 in D 37.41 in
Mah Jong sofa in honey/camel cotton velvet by Roche Bobois, France, 1970s
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in amstelveen, NL
Roche Bobois Mah Jong modular sofa, honey/camel cotton velvet, Hans Hopfer, 1970s. Early edition reupholstered Mah Jong sofa set by Hans Hopfer, designed in 1971 for Roche Bobois. I...
Velvet
Hans Hopfer Early "Informel" Lounge Chair and Ottoman, 1979
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Coronado, CA
Early "Informel" lounge chair and ottoman designed by Hans Hopfer and manufactured by Roche Bobois in 1979. This large, plump lounger features a unique organic form with ruched detai...
Leather
$29,500
H 25.2 in W 150.79 in D 114.18 in
Large-Scaled Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois Modular 'Mah Jong' Sofa in Wool
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, 'Mah Jong' modular sofa, wool, France, designed in 1971 The Mah Jong sofa, designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in 1971, is one of the most recogni...
Wool
$6,180
H 27 in W 68 in D 40 in
Vintage Ligne Roset Togo sofa by Michel Ducaroy in a toasted brioche alcantara
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Ligne Roset Togo sofa by Michel Ducaroy in a toasted brioche alcantara. Signs of use commensurate with age. W68" D40" H27" SH15" >> You can view this in our Los Angeles sho...
Suede, Fabric
Sculptural Sofa by Wiener Werkstätte, Austria, 1980's
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in amstelveen, NL
Stunning and rare large sculptural sectional sofa by Wiener Werkstätte, 1970. Very distinctive design and extraordinary shapes. New upholstered in a high-quality terracotta color P...
Leather, Chenille
Sold
H 29.5 in W 113 in D 35.25 in
Hans Hopfer 'Castell' Blue Modular Sectional Sofa for Wiener Werkstätte, 1970s
By Wiener Werkstätte, Hans Hopfer
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