Seymour Stein is co-founder and Chairman of Sire Records, one of the world’s most influential record labels and home to some of the most iconic artists in modern music. He has been Sire’s driving visionary and creative force since its origins in the 1960s as an independent label and its four-decade tenure as part of Warner Music Group. His unique ability to anticipate musical trends, and to discover and sign the greatest artists within those movements, has left an indelible mark on contemporary culture.
It was in 1955, when he was just 13 years old, that Stein was granted access to the Billboard archives, where he painstakingly transcribed two decades of charts, developing his encyclopedic memory of songs. After high school, he joined the Billboard staff, then worked for King Records and Red Bird Records. He and producer Richard Gottehrer launched Sire Records in 1967.
Stein first saw the Ramones in 1975 and, as he said, “It was like sticking my hand in a live electric light socket.” The band’s first album was released by Sire in 1976. It remains one of the seminal recordings in rock and roll history. Stein put New Wave music – a term he coined – on the mainstream map with the likes of Talking Heads and the Pretenders. And in a moment that has become a permanent part of music industry lore, Stein signed a young artist named Madonna while he was in the hospital recuperating from a heart infection. Over the years, Sire’s roster has included other cutting-edge artists such as Tom Tom Club, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, The Cure, Ice-T, k.d. lang, Seal, Everything But The Girl, Aztec Camera, Dinosaur Jr., Wilco, My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream, Aphex Twin, Spacehog, Regina Spektor, Tegan & Sara, and many more. Stein was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.
In addition to his myriad musical pursuits, Stein developed an impeccable eye for fine and decorative art. His particular love for Art Deco and Art Nouveau design began during his many trips to London and Paris while on the hunt for new bands to sign. With the guidance of his long-time curator and adviser Rodney Richardson, Stein procured only the best examples of ceramics, paintings, drawings, and furniture he could find. We are thrilled to present works from his extraordinary collection and are grateful to him and Rodney for their help, warmth, and good humor.
The Wiener Werkstätte, or Vienna Workshop, was a groundbreaking design collective founded in 1903 by architect Josef Hoffmann, artist Koloman Moser, and financier Fritz Waerndorfer. Based in Vienna, Austria, the workshop emerged as part of the broader Vienna Secession movement, which was founded in 1897 and sought to break away from traditional artistic conventions and embrace modernist principles. The Wiener Werkstätte aimed to unify fine and applied arts, creating a Gesamtkunstwerk, or "total work of art," in which design, craftsmanship, and functionality harmonized.
Deeply influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement in Britain, the Wiener Werkstätte emphasized high-quality craftsmanship and the use of premium materials. The collective's designers and craftsmen produced a wide array of items, including furniture, textiles, jewelry, ceramics, glassware, metalwork, and graphic design. They sought to elevate everyday objects to the level of fine art, integrating beauty into all aspects of life.
The designs of the Wiener Werkstätte were characterized by their geometric forms, clean lines, and minimalist ornamentation, reflecting a modern aesthetic that was ahead of its time. Hoffmann's architectural work and furniture designs often displayed a striking simplicity, while Moser's graphics and patterns incorporated bold, stylized motifs. Artists such as Dagobert Peche, Vally Wieselthier, Susi Singer, and Oskar Kokoschka also contributed to the workshop's output, further enriching its artistic diversity.
Although the Wiener Werkstätte gained international acclaim, it faced significant financial challenges due to its commitment to artisanal production, which made its goods expensive and inaccessible to a mass audience. Despite attempts to expand and adapt, including opening branches in Karlsbad and New York, the workshop ultimately closed in 1932 during the global economic downturn.
The legacy of the Wiener Werkstätte is profound, having influenced the development of modern design and inspiring subsequent movements such as Bauhaus and Art Deco. Its emphasis on integrating art and life remains a cornerstone of contemporary design philosophy, and its works are celebrated in museums and collections worldwide. The Wiener Werkstätte's vision of blending aesthetics and functionality continues to resonate, affirming its status as a pivotal force in the evolution of modern art and design.
Auction Results Wiener Werkstätte
