Josef Hoffmann Seating
Austrian, 1870-1956
The Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann was a central figure in the evolution of modern design, and a leader in an aesthetic movement born in Europe in the late 19th century that rejected florid, extravagant ornamentation in favor of a new emphasis on simplicity of line.
As a founder of the Vienna Secession — a union of artists and designers determined to upend Austria’s artistic conservatism — and later, a founder of the turn-of-the-century Wiener Werkstätte (in English: the Viennese Workshops), a design cooperative that produced superbly crafted furniture and housewares, Hoffmann was a pioneering practitioner of what would become a fundamental principle of modernism: that good design is a way of life.
Hoffmann came of age amidst a shift in the culture of the applied arts, as a conservative order that looked only to the past for inspiration was pushed aside. But what, exactly, would replace that order was in question — and Hoffmann’s career embodies the developing patterns of design’s new spirit. His architectural work reflects his time as a student of the Vienna architect Otto Wagner, who disdained excessive decoration and employed new materials such as steel girders and reinforced concrete to create buildings with airy, open interiors full of light.
As a designer of furniture and interiors, Hoffmann was consistently open-minded about the aesthetics he explored. He was an early adherent of the flowing, organic forms of the Art Nouveau design movement that began to flourish in the late 1880s — but by the opening of the Wiener Werkstätte in 1903, Hoffmann’s designs embraced the beauty of geometry in pieces that feature grids and angular forms.
Hoffmann’s greatest works reflect his ability to combine seemingly conflicting design visions into coherent wholes. His architectural masterpiece, the Stoclet Palace in Brussels, has an exterior that groups together simple geometric forms and spacious interiors marked by subtly naturalistic design details that lend rooms an air of charm and geniality.
Hoffmann’s signature furniture design is an adjustable lounge chair — the Sitzmaschine (1905) — that marries a curving frame with square and rectangular back- and side rests. This piece, like so many others by Hoffmann, reflects a groundbreaking, forward-thinking appreciation for the union of different looks and sources that marks the best of interior design in our own day. Moreover, items offered on 1stDibs — which range from enameled silver jewelry, to silver flower vase baskets and other decorative objects, to sofas, lighting pendants and sconces — testify to the astonishing breadth of Hoffman’s creative pursuits. He was truly a giant of design.
to
17
106
40
143
13
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
96
58
35
40
19
28
18
21
14
18
14
16
50
21
15
3
1
9
134
15
86
27
16
33
17
8
7
6
7
2
12
2
142
67
65
58
53
154
113
22
5
4
158
145
145
290
1,557
1,272
983
948
Creator: Josef Hoffmann
Set of 4 Wittmann Fledermaus Chairs by Josef Hoffmann (Customizable)
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Argelato, BO
Set of four "Fledermaus" chairs (meaning "bat" in German), designed by Austrian architect and designer Josef Hoffmann in 1907.
Originally conceived to furnish the legendary Flederma...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Bentwood
Secession Armchair by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob
Josef Kohn
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession armchair by Josef Hoffmann professionally stained and repolished. Signed J&J Kohn Teschen Austria.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Bentwood
$14,343 / set
Rare Pair of Josef Hoffmann Model 725 B/F Chairs for J.
J. Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of fantastic Vienna Secession bentwood chairs with upholstery designed by Josef Hoffman (1870-1956) and manufactured by J. & J. Kohn circa early 20th century. These armchairs are model 725 B/F designed in 1905 and are dated from the original production in the Austrian workshop. Quite a rare original pair, they feature ebonized bentwood frame with corner ball enforcement details and wine-red leather upholstery accented conforming decorative round tacks along the edge. Both retain factory label remnants as well as manufacturer's name branded to the underside.
Provenance: Purchased from Modernism Gallery...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Black Dining Armchairs designed by Josef Hoffmann for Mundus, Yugoslavia 1960s
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet-Mundus
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find rare vintage dining chairs designed by Josef Hoffmann for Mundus - Model Prague. Chairs are done in black painted beech bentwood with cane seats and bac...
Category
1960s Croatian Art Nouveau Vintage Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Cane, Beech
Josef Hoffmann, Purkersdorf Chair by Wittmann, Austria, circa 1990
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in Renens, CH
Priced per chair
Designed by Josef Hoffmann in 1903 for the entrance hall of the Purkersdorf Sanatorium near Vienna, this chair is a key example of Viennese Modernism and the Vienna...
Category
1990s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
One or Six Armchairs Designed by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine find! These barrel armchairs model No. 729/2F, designed by Joseph Hoffmann, circa 1906. The simplicity of this chair design: is made up of a U-shaped horizontal rail that form...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Bentwood
$8,200 / item
Italian 1980s Minimalist Chairs Bonaldo Design Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Metal Chairs ner 1980 J. Hoffmann
Category
1980s Italian Minimalist Vintage Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Metal
$1,840 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Prague Chairs by Josef Hoffmann
Frank in Bentwood and Cane, Set of Six, 1930s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in London, GB
Set of six beech and rattan Prague chairs, designed by Josef Hoffmann and Josef Frank for Thonet in the 1930s.
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Rattan, Beech
$3,700 Sale Price
40% Off
Customizable Wittmann Haus Koller Lounge Chair by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
These upholstered items were created during the alterations to Koller’s house in Oberwaltersdorf carried out between 1912-1914. Wittmann has created sofas to match this design.
Category
2010s Austrian Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Leather, Fabric
4 Thonet Chairs, Model Prague No. 811, First Half of the 20th Century
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Herentals, BE
The chairs were designed by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet around 1920 and executed by FMG - Fabryka Mebli Gietych - in Poland in the first half of the 20th century. They have been reupho...
Category
Early 20th Century Polish Art Deco Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Fabric, Bentwood
Great Set of 8 Armchairs by Thonet, Austria Josef Hoffmann Design
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Rome, IT
Set of eight armchairs by Thonet, Austria.
The chairs were a part of a set made on order for a Villa in Götzens, Tirol, Austria
Designer: Josef Hoffmann
Materials : Steamed bent ...
Category
20th Century Austrian Art Deco Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Beech, Ebony
$24,861 Sale Price
20% Off
Very Rare Josef Hoffmann 725 B/F Chair by Jacob and Josef Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Munich, DE
New belts, foam and zig zag fabric designed by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätten. With Jacob and Josef Kohn label.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Bentwood
$5,438 Sale Price
30% Off
Customizable Wittmann Kubus Leather Sofa by Josef Hoffmann
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
A Classic example of Hoffmann’s strict geometrical lines and the quadratic theme in his work is the Kubus armchair, designed in 1910 and handcrafted to ...
Category
2010s Austrian Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Leather
Josef Hoffmann Office Chair With Porcelain Caster Wheels For FISCHEL 1910s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Čelinac, BA
Josef Hoffmann Office Chair With Porcelain Caster Wheels for Fischel 19010s
Category
Early 1900s Czech Art Nouveau Antique Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Bentwood
Pair of Restored ArtDeco Armchairs, Wien. Werkstätte, J. Hoffmann, Austria 1900s
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant pair of Art Deco armchairs comes from Austria from the early 20th century. They are the work of architect Josef Hoffmann and were produced in Wiener Werkstätte. The armc...
Category
1910s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer, Beech, Mahogany
Pair of Original Josef Hoffmann
Wiener Werkstätte Chairs 1904 Jugendstil
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
4er Set Mid Century Stühle Thonet Modell 811 Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 4er Set Bugholzstühle (Modell: 811) von Thonet zum Verkauf an. Das seltene Modell wurde von Josef Hoffmann entworfen und besticht durch seine funktionale...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Wicker, Beech
Customizable Wittmann Kubus Leather Sofa by Josef Hoffmann
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
A Classic example of Hoffmann’s strict geometrical lines and the quadratic theme in his work is the Kubus armchair, designed in 1910 and handcrafted to ...
Category
2010s Austrian Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Leather
Antique Mission Josef Hoffmann Settee, Stickley Era - W5278 SALE SALE
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an antique Josef Hoffmann settee from the early 1900s in very good condition, with no repairs or replaced parts. Josef Hoffmann, an artist from Vienna, Austria, designed thes...
Category
1920s Austrian Arts and Crafts Vintage Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Leather, Cotton, Upholstery, Oak
Sofa by Josef Hoffman for J
J Kohn, Vienna, Austria, 1900s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Brussels, BE
Sofa by Josef Hoffman for J & J Kohn, Vienna, Austria, 1900s
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Hoffmann Josef, Curved Beech Armchair, circa 1900
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Hoffmann Josef, curved beech armchair, circa 1900.
Base and back covered with black leather.
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Beech
Vintage Bent Wood
Wicker Cafe Chairs by Josef Hoffman for Ligna
By Ligna, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Detroit, MI
This set of six vintage mid century Bentwood Prague Model 811 cafe dining chairs were made in Czechoslovakia by Ligna circa 1960 based on the original design by Austrian architects J...
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
Josef Hoffmann Variation of Art Nouveau "Fledermaus" Sofa
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
- Beech wood wooden Skelet carefully refurbished and finished in Shellac
- Original upholstery in good original condition with some signs of use
Category
Mid-20th Century European Art Nouveau Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Two Original J.Hoffmann
Oswald Haerdtl Chairs Art Deco New Fabric Josef Frank
By Josef Frank, Oswald Haerdtl, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Created by Josef Hoffmann and Oswald Haerdtl for the Otto Beyer fashion style pattern store in Vienna, Singerstrasse 14 which is shown on one of the images. Fabric "Notturno," design...
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Pair of Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Upholstered Side Chairs Original Fabric
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Sharon, CT
Extremely rare pair of Wiener Werkstätte upholstered chairs. In the original Wiener Werkstatte fabric. All designed by Josef Hoffmann. Origina...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Wood
Austrian All Original Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Armchairs, Wood of Walnut
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Era Art Nouveau, early 20th century modernist Wiener Werkstätte armchair by Josef Hoffmann.
Solid walnut wood structure with original patina
Measures cm: H 97/45, W 53, D 50
...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Walnut
Great Set of 14 Armchairs by Thonet, Austria Josef Hoffmann Design
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Rome, IT
Set of 14 armchairs by Thonet, Austria
The chairs were a part of a set made on order for a Villa in Götzens, Tirol, Austria
Designer: Josef Hoffmann
Materials : Steamed bent beechwo...
Category
20th Century Austrian Art Deco Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Beech, Ebony
$28,686 Sale Price
20% Off
Three Piece Set by Josef Hoffmann w/ Beech Frame
Clarence House Fabric
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
This elegant and refined three piece living room set, consisting of two chairs and a settee were designed by the legendary Josef Hoffman in Austria circa 1905. They feature concave d...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Vienna Secession Sofa "Kubus" by Josef Hoffmann, manufactured by Wittmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a very rare leather 3-seater sofa "Kubus" in brown leather designed by Josef Hoffmann. This is a classic example of Hoffmann’s strict geometrical lines ...
Category
1980s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Customizable Wittmann Villa Gallia Sofa Chair by Josef Hoffmann
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
This suite was created in 1913 for the Gallia family’s apartment in Wohllebengasse, Vienna.
Category
2010s Austrian Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Fabric
Josef Hoffmann Chair for Jacob and Josef Kohn Furniture
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Josef Hoffmann Chair Model 725 circa 1903-1905. Rare variation with caned seat and back. Usually found with upholstered seat and back. Chair is sometimes said to be by Gustav Siegel ...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Cane, Beech
Elephant Desk Chair by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob
Josef Kohn
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Elephant desk chair by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn professionally stained and repolished.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Bentwood
Two Chairs Thonet 811, Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished.
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Bentwood
$1,434 / set
Jugendstil Black Beech Grey Vintage Small Bench Josef Hoffmann circa 1905 Vienna
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Jugendstil black beech grey suede leather small bench designed by Josef Hoffmann circa 1905, Vienna.
A gorgeous small bench with a black stained solid beechwood frame, while the cove...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Suede, Beech
Secession dining chairs N369A by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession dining chairs N369A by Josef Hoffmann in very nice original condition. Signed with importers lable.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
$1,434 / set
Customizable Wittmann Haus Koller Sofa 200 by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
These upholstered items were created during the alterations to Koller’s house in Oberwaltersdorf carried out between 1912-1914. Wittmann has created sofas to match this design.
Category
2010s Austrian Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Leather, Fabric
Hoffmann Josef, Curved Beech Armchair, circa 1900
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Hoffmann Josef, curved beech armchair, circa 1900.
Need to be restorated. Fabric to change.
No lack but some damage on the wood seat
4 available.
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Beech
Hoffmann Josef, Curved Beech Armchair, circa 1900
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Hoffmann Josef, curved beech armchair, circa 1900.
Need to be restorated. Fabric to change.
No lack but some damage in bending wood
2 available.
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Josef Hoffmann Seating
Materials
Beech
Josef Hoffmann seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Josef Hoffmann seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Josef Hoffmann seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 141 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 13 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original seating by Josef Hoffmann were created in the Art Nouveau style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Marcel Kammerer, Jacob and Josef Kohn, and Thonet-Mundus. Prices for Josef Hoffmann seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $619 and can go as high as $99,099, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,500.
Creators Similar to Josef Hoffmann
Questions About Josef Hoffmann Seating
- What did Josef Hoffmann invent?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024Josef Hoffmann invented the Sitzmaschine, an adjustable lounge chair that the Austrian designer unveiled in 1905. Literally called a “machine for sitting,” it was originally created for a sanatorium in Purkersdorf, near Vienna. It has a curving frame with square and rectangular back and side rests. Like so many other designs by Hoffmann, this piece reflects a forward-thinking appreciation for the union of different sources, here the Arts and Crafts movement and modern design. Find a collection of Josef Hoffmann furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
More Josef Hoffmann Furniture
Josef Hoffmann Lighting
Josef Hoffmann Tables
Josef Hoffmann Decorative Objects
Josef Hoffmann Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Josef Hoffmann Building and Garden Elements
Josef Hoffmann Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Josef Hoffmann Mirrors
Josef Hoffmann Wall Decorations
Josef Hoffmann Chandeliers and Pendants
Josef Hoffmann Table Lamps
Josef Hoffmann Wall Lights and Sconces
Josef Hoffmann Flush Mount