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.
German Bauhaus Wiener Werkstatte B. Grundmann Bronze Statue of a Male Smelter
By Wiener Werkstätte
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Striking German Bauhaus Art Deco Cast Bronze Sculpture of a Young Male Smelter by Bernard Grundmann. The piece was produced at the Berlin Wiener Werkstatte studio in 1929-30 and sign...
Bronze
Erna Kopriva Pottery Sculpture/Terracotta , Figure for Wiener Werkstatte
By Erna Kopriva, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great sample of the well known Austrian artist, Erna Kopriva. She was assistant of Joseph Hoffman and worked at Wiener Werkstatte . Similar pieces are now...
Terracotta
Gudrun Baudisch for Wiener Werkstatte Figural Group
By Wiener Werkstätte, Gudrun Baudisch
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful hand painted ceramic by the secessionist master Gudrun Baudisch. The piece is whimsical and brightly painted. It is signed with the Wiener Werkstatte Logo and the Artist’...
Terracotta
$5,525
H 50 in W 17.5 in D 11 in
Greco Roman Style Vintage Verde Bronze Statue of a Male Nude with Grapes in Hair
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Greco-Roman style bronze nude statue from the 20th century with verde patina and wooden pedestal base. Created with the traditional technique o...
Bronze
Pair of Wiener Werkstatte Brass Bowls by Dagobert Peche
By Dagobert Peche, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of brass bowl in stepped concentric form designed by Dagobert Peche (Austrian, 1887-1923) and for Wiener Werkstatte circa 1910s-1920s. In the iconic style of Vienna Secession,...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Vase, Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1915 - 1920
By Moser Glassworks, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in New York, NY
Josef Hoffmann cut and ground clear crystal vase made by Ludwig Moser & Söhne, Karlsbad for Wiener Werkstätte circa 1915 - 1920. Stamp signature to underside: [MOSER KARLSBAD WW CZEC...
Glass
$13,416
H 49.22 in Dm 13.78 in
Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstätte Vienna Secessonist Flower Stand, 1910s
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Praha, CZ
- Design: Josef Hoffmann - Maker: Wiener Werkstätte - A typical work from the early period - Measures: Diameter of bowl 17 cm - A typical work from the early period of the Wiener...
Iron
$1,900
H 10.5 in W 4.75 in D 10.5 in
Mid-Century Italian Modern Bitossi Ceramic Blue Horse Pottery by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large and chic horse sculpture circa 1960s Aldo Londi for Bitossi. This piece features all glazed ceramic construction in a beautiful blue / green color. Signed Italy
Ceramic
Classical Bronze Male Nude Torso Sculpture/Statue
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid bronze male nudist statue. Classical Greek style sculpture. Unsigned. Would make a wonderful sculpture for desk, office, shelf, etc.
Bronze
$1,108
H 3.15 in W 4.93 in D 3.35 in
Vienna secession jewelry box atr. Dagobert Peche for Wiener Werkstätte
By Dagobert Peche, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Vienna secession jewelry box atr. Dagobert Peche for Wiener Werkstätte in excellent original condition.
Brass
$56,001
H 27.56 in W 24.02 in D 11.82 in
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
Bronze Male God Sculpture Statue
Located in New York, NY
A small figural male nude verte green bronze Greek God 'Bacchus' sculpture statue, circa mid-20th century. Bacchus was known as the 'wine' God. Piece is made of sold bronze or brass ...
Brass, Bronze
Josef Hoffmann Bowl, Wiener Werkstatte, circa 1915 - 1920
By Moser Glassworks, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
Josef Hoffmann cut and ground clear crystal bowl / vase made by Ludwig Moser & Söhne, Karlsbad for Wiener Werkstätte circa 1915 - 1920. Stamp signature to underside: [MOSER KARLSBAD ...
Glass
Parian Ware Figure Group
Located in Cheshire, GB
Parian group of a hunting scene depicting a man kneeling on a fallen tree with his dogs looking at a burrow. Dimensions Height 12.5 Inches Width 13 Inches Depth 6.5 Inches
Porcelain
$1,950
H 13 in W 3 in D 3.5 in
"Mother and Child, " Brilliantly-Glazed Ceramic Sculpture by Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Glazed in the gorgeous, brilliant glazes characteristic of the Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshop), and adopting a long, lean, almost Mannerist pose, this lovely sculpture of a mothe...
Chenille
Sold
H 10.24 in W 5.91 in D 3.55 in
Wiener Werkstaette Expressive Ceramics 'Female Chandelier', by Susi Singer 1924
By Wiener Werkstätte, Susi Singer
Located in Vienna, AT
Half-length figure of a young woman, with a bell-shaped skirt forming the base, characterised by long, curly black hair and a relief-decorated gown, her left hand on her hip, her rig...
Ceramic
Sold
H 10.24 in W 5.32 in D 5.32 in
Wiener Werkstaette Expressive Art Ceramics 'Cactus Carrier', by G. Baudisch 1927
By Gudrun Baudisch, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Male figure with pointed hat, kneeling on his left leg and balancing cactus pots, holding one on his left shoulder, another between it and his head, one on ...
Ceramic
Sold
H 9.65 in W 4.34 in D 3.55 in
Wiener Werkstaette Expressive Ceramic Figure 'Street Boy', by Susi Singer, 1923
By Wiener Werkstätte, Susi Singer
Located in Vienna, AT
Boy with a wide-brimmed hat standing upright and legs apart, both hands hidden in his trouser pockets, low-cut jacket, long, wrinkled trousers, tied bow around his neck, his mouth open for whistling. On a eled, relief side with blue, floral decoration on a white background. Manufactory: 'Wiener Werkstätte' /- 'Vienna Workshop' Dating: made 1923-1925 Material: ceramic / red earthenware, hand-painted, glossy finish Design: SUSI SINGER (1891 - 1965) Austrian ceramic artist, from 1905 art school for girls and women in Vienna, studied at Tina Blau...
Ceramic
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H 8.27 in W 5.52 in D 4.14 in
Wiener Werkstaette Expressive Ceramic Figure 'Man On Chair' by Susi Singer 1927
By Wiener Werkstätte, Susi Singer
Located in Vienna, AT
Man in a gray-blue spotted suit sitting upright on a chair, forearms resting on his thighs, his hat in his right hand on his knee. The armchair and the carpet underneath are placed diagonally on the rectangular pedestal with sloping sides. According to the Wiener Werkstätte model books, this design was only molded twice. Manufactory: 'Wiener Werkstätte' /- 'Vienna Workshop' Dating: made 1927 Material: ceramic / red earthenware, hand-painted, glossy finish Design: SUSI SINGER (1891 - 1965) Austrian ceramic artist, from 1905 art school for girls and women in Vienna, studied at Tina Blau...
Ceramic
Sold
H 6 in W 6 in D 4 in
Kitty Rix-Tichacek Nouveau Horses Sculpture, for Wiener Werkstatte Signed KR 312
By Wiener Werkstätte, Kitty Rix
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great terra-cotta / ceramic, work for the well known Austrian artist Kitty Rix. Signed impressed mark KR, WW, 2. 312. Plus original paper label. Shows restorations.
Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta
Sold
H 8.26 in W 5.31 in L 8.26 in
Wiener Werkstaette Expressive Vienna Ceramics Girl with Cat by Susi Singer, 1923
By Wiener Werkstätte, Susi Singer
Located in Vienna, AT
A naked girl with long hair is sitting on a stair-like armchair covered with a softly falling cloth, eyes closed ashamed and both legs turned to the side. A pillow behind her back ensures comfort. A cat sits on the right armrest and hugs her shoulder attentively. Manufactory: 'Wiener Werkstätte' /- 'Vienna Workshop' Dating: made circa 1923 Material: ceramics / red earthenware, hand-painted, glossy finish Design: SUSI SINGER (1891 - 1965) from 1905 art school for girls and women in Vienna, studied at Tina Blau...
Ceramic