Josef Hoffmann

JOSEF HOFFMANN (Brtnice, Czech Republic, 1870 – Vienna, 1956) for Alivar.
Kubus Sofa. Designed in 1910, produced ca. 1980.
Upholstered in black leather.
Solid wood frame.
Signed.
Condition: patina and signs of wear consistent with its age.
Measurements: 70 x 220 x 80 cm.

The “Kubus” sofa is one of Josef Hoffmann’s most iconic designs and a landmark piece in the history of modern furniture. Conceived in 1910, it embodies the principles of the Wiener Werkstätte: geometric precision, exceptional craftsmanship, and formal simplicity. Its characteristic grid of square, upholstered modules transforms the sofa’s volume into a true work of domestic architecture—bold and elegant.
This Alivar edition, produced around 1980, recaptures the power of the original model in a spacious three-seater format, with black leather upholstery and a solid wood frame. The piece retains a particularly appealing presence for contemporary interiors, high-end interior design projects, and collections of 20th-century historical design.

An architect, designer, and co-founder of the Wiener Werkstätte alongside Koloman Moser, Hoffmann was a pivotal figure in the transition to European modernism. His works are part of major international collections, including the MAK and the Leopold Museum in Vienna, the MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and the Brohan Museum in Berlin.