The Kubus Chair by Josef Hoffmann

The Place Where Art and Science Sit Side by Side

Jan 25, 2009

Unveiled in 1910 at the Buenos Aires International Exhibition, Hoffmann's Kubus Chair is both a design classic and founding father of the Modernist movement.

Adhering to a design philosophy Hoffmann termed "Quadratsil", the Kubus Chair betrays the designer's love of geometric design in general and his fascination with the humble cube shape in particular. The chair's uniform, individually hand stitched panels form a tessellated patchwork of upholstered squares which come together to provide a veritable mosaic of cool and comfortableness. The mathematical purity of its measurements coupled with the undeniable stylishness of its execution have meant the Kubus has never gone out of fashion.

The Wiener Werkstätte Movement

Prior to the turn of the 20th century, Hoffmann’s work was very much influenced by the Jugendstil and Art Nouveau traditions. However, the first years of the new century heralded a change for Hoffmann and members of his Wiener Werkstätte movement. Among the most notable members were the financier Fritz Warndorfer and artists Koloman Moser and Gustav Klimt. Adherents of the new philosophy sought to distance themselves from the more naturalist strain of the earlier Secession movement.

This meant that in the world of furniture design the more free flowing “curvilinear” pieces of the previous century were out, and in came the austere angularity of the more geometric approach Hoffmann brought to bear on his Kubus series. The Kubus is in many ways the apotheosis of the Wiener Werkstätte philosophy, which espoused the belief in expunging naturalist influences from the design in order to fashion a "total work of art".

The Kubus Loveseat & Sofa

Hoffmann followed up on the success of the chair with the two seated Kubus Loveseat and the three seated Kubus Sofa. Both these later designs are faithful to the original Kubus blueprint. All three Kubus designs employ a hardwood frame which is usually upholstered in black leather, but white, yellow and burgundy finishes are not unknown.

Kubus Prices

The Josef Hoffmann Foundation has granted Franz Wittmann Möbelwerkstätten the sole right to manufacture the Kubus Chair, Kubus Loveseat and Kubus Sofa. The Kubus Chair retails at $3,180.00; The Kubus Loveseat at $4475.00; and The Kubus Sofa at $5,850.00.

However, there are a number of faux or reproduction Hoffmann chairs, loveseats and sofas on the market. The price invariably reflects the materials and craftsmanship, with faux Kubus Chairs starting at around $599.00, loveseats at around $899.00 and sofas at $1,098.00.

Kubus Sizes

The copyright of the article The Kubus Chair by Josef Hoffmann in Collectibles is owned by Christopher Wilson. Permission to republish The Kubus Chair by Josef Hoffmann in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.