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.
Original Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Cabinet for Mimi Marlow 20th Century
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
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
Original of the Time Marked "Wiener Werkstätte" Koloman Moser Bookcase / Cabinet
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Koloman Moser
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare cabinet from the short period when the Wiener Werkstätte has had its own cabinet makers workshop in the Neustiftgasse in Vienna. Attributed to Koloman Moser or Emanuel Marg...
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
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
Louis XVI Style Burl Biblio Cabinet or Vitrine, Antique
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Three-door burl wood Vitrine from France . This vitrine or biblio cabinet features a giltwood crown that is intricately decorated in golden scrolls. The crown is removable. Three d...
Brass
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
$2,295
H 40 in W 26.5 in D 18.5 in
Austrian Wiener Werkstätte Bookcase/ Shelf /Bakers Rack/ Display Stand
By Thonet
Located in New York City, NY
A three shelf Jugendstil bookcase / etagere / bakers rack, two tone in stained and polished beechwood with decorative openwork side panels extendin...
Beech
$2,695Sale Price|20% Off
H 67.33 in W 36.23 in D 13.78 in
English Inlaid Mahogany Display Cabinet From the 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
English Inlaid Mahogany Display Cabinet From the 19th Century Step into timeless elegance with this exquisite antique display cabinet, a captivating ...
Mahogany, Glass, Wood
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
Late Art Deco Display Cabinet in Oak, Belgium 1940s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Robust cabinet features two square door panels, above these doors there is a vitrine. A poised and architectural example of late Art Deco design, this Belgian cabinet from the 1940s ...
Glass, Mirror, Oak
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
Classic 19th Century Country French Paint Decorated Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Retailed by Peter Roland, Westport CT. A lovely cabinet in a later pale Aqua Green paint with two carved short apron drawers with a diamond motif and later black painted metal figura...
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Cabinet
Located in Copenhagen, K
Beautiful Chinese cabinet in mainly black and red lacquer with red decorations. Contains several shelves and four drawers, all with original brass hardware.
Wood