Mid-century metalware by Josef Hoffmann, Austria, 1870-1956

Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956) was an Austrian architect and designer, and a prominent figure in the Vienna Secession and Wiener Werkstätte movements. He is particularly known for his modernist designs and his influence on the development of 20th-century design.

Hoffmann designed a wide range of products, from furniture and lighting to textiles and ceramics. His mid-century wares are characterized by their clean lines, geometric forms, and use of high-quality materials such as wood, metal, and leather. Hoffmann's designs were often intended to be both functional and beautiful, and many of his pieces remain popular with collectors and design enthusiasts today.

Some of Hoffmann's most famous mid-century designs include his Sitzmaschine chair, which features a curved seat and backrest and a metal frame, and his Kubus armchair, which is constructed from leather and tubular steel. He also designed a range of tableware, including the iconic more... Kubus tea set, which features a square form and simple, elegant lines.

Hoffmann's influence on design extended beyond his own work, as he taught and mentored many other designers who went on to become influential in their own right. His designs are considered classics of the modernist style. less...