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.
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
VIntage velvet sofa by Saporiti Italia, 1980s
By Saporiti
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage velvet two seater sofa by Saporiti italia. Very comfy two seater sofa, which has a cool pattern running troughout the upholstery. Good condition, has been cleaned. 1980s -...
Velvet
$29,418 / set
H 24.81 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Large COR Trio Sectional Sofa, Germany / Switzerland 1972 NEW VELVET UPHOLSTERY
By Team Form AG, COR
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Vintage COR Trio Sofa in new Dark Chocolate Brown Velvet. The velvet can easily be brushed to give it a different look, with lighter and darker brown tones (see different looks in th...
Fabric, Velvet
$7,200
H 27 in W 80 in D 38 in
Italian Pleated Velvet Sofa in the Manner of De Pas, D’Urbino & Lomazzi, 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1970s Italian sofa in the manner of Jonathan De Pas, Donato D’Urbino, and Paolo Lomazzi. Upholstered in a rich sepia-hued velvet, the form is defined by deeply pleated, ruched upho...
Upholstery, Velvet
$9,413Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 33.86 in D 35.44 in
20th Century Italian Design Velvet Modular Sofa by Busnelli, 1970s
By Busnelli
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare Italian design modular sofa, 1970s in brown velvet. The sofa is modular and made up of four armchairs. Busnelli brand present on each armchair. The measurements indicated are fo...
Velvet
$6,940
H 31.5 in W 129.14 in D 83.47 in
Modular Sofa Attributed to Adriano Piazzesi Original 1970s Brown Velvet
By Adriano Piazzesi
Located in Palermo, PA
Modular Sofa Attributed to Adriano Piazzesi in Original 1970s Brown Velvet fabric. This striking modular sofa, attributed to Italian designer Adriano Piazzesi is a true statement p...
Steel
$24,995
H 31 in W 124 in D 72 in
"Cloud" Sofa in Velvet & Walnut, Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, USA, 1970's
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare and iconic "Cloud" sofa designed by the influential Adrian Pearsall. Audacious in it's scope, shape and materials used this sofa is a true American masterpiece. Wi...
Velvet, Walnut
Vintage Italian Velvet Upholstered Three-Seat Sofa, 1970s
Located in Astoria, NY
Italian Brown Velvet Upholstered Three-Seat Sofa, 1970s. 30" H x 81" W x 38" D; seat: 16" H. Provenance: From a Long Island, New York Estate.
Velvet, Upholstery
$28,000 / set
H 29.53 in W 108.27 in D 71.66 in
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
$9,800 / set
H 29 in W 85 in D 31 in
Italian Modular Sofa By Claudio Vagnoni, Five-Seat Configuration, 1970s
By Claudio Vagnoni
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This sculptural modular sofa by Claudio Vagnoni, from Italy dates to the 1970s and reflects the decade’s expressive approach to comfort and form. Composed of five individual sections...
Fabric
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
Arflex Strips Sofa By Cini Boeri In Velvet, Italy 1968
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Cini Boeri for Arflex, modular strips sofa in mustard/golden velvet, Italy 1968 The iconic Strips sofa, a comfortable and versatile design. This modular sofa features four seating e...
Velvet
Le Bambole sofa in velvet By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful Le Bambole sofa in coral/pink coloured velvet designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in the 1970s. This beautiful edition is reupholstered in a high quality cotton velve...
Velvet
Cini Boeri for Arflex Strips Sofa in velvet, Italy 1968
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Cini Boeri for Arflex, two seater strips sofa in aubergine velvet, Italy 1968 The iconic Strips sofa, a comfortable and versatile design. Reupholstered in a beautiful high quality b...
Velvet
Original Cinna Sandra Three Seater Sofa In Velvet By Annie Hieronimus, France 19
By Annie Hiéronimus, Cinna (Ligne Roset)
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful three seater in the original purple velvet upholstery, by Annie Hieronimus for Cinna, a division of Ligne Roset, France 1970s. This incredibly comfortable, yet lightweight ...
Velvet
COR Orbis Modular Sofa In Corduroy By Luigi Colani, 1970s
By Luigi Colani, COR
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful modular sofa model Orbis, in original salmon/light pink corduroy, white lacquered wooden frame and chrome wheels, which was created in 1973 by Luigi Colani for COR. The so...
Metal
