The son of a furniture dealer and upholsterer, Jaroslav Smidek, like Jan Vanek and Jindrich Halabala, was born into the trade. Growing up, he helped out in the family workshop, where he learned his father’s craft.
Although he trained as an architect, Smidek quickly turned to industrial design, developing Montisektor furnishings, a line of pieces that could be assembled at home from prefabricated parts, in 1956 for VNP — a significant advance in Czech furniture production.
But it is his seating, such as the chairs he created for Jitona in the 1960s, that is most in demand. While his chairs carry a Scandinavian touch, there is no mistaking the gentle elegance of their uniquely Eastern European aesthetic.
Find vintage Jaroslav Smidek furniture today on 1stDibs.
Set of two armchairs by Jaroslav Šmídek for TON, 1960s.
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Praha, CZ
This is a pair of armchairs designed by the architect Jaroslav Smidek and produced by the TON company during the 1960s, the armchairs have wooden armrests made of bent wood and fabr...
Fabric, Bentwood
1960s Beech Armchair by Jaroslav Smidek for TON, Czechoslovakia
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of wood and fabric The seat needs new fabric Measure: Seat height 45 cm.
Fabric, Wood
$1,706Sale Price|20% Off
Armchair Designed by Jaroslav Šmidek for Ton, Czech Republic, 1960s
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
An armchair designed by Jaroslav Šmídek, model 53, produced by TON in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s. This mid-century modern piece exemplifies the elegance and craftsmanship of Czech d...
Velvet, Beech
1960s Pair of Ton Armchairs by Jaroslav Smidek, Czechoslovakia
By Jaroslav Smidek, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made of beech wood - Newly upholstered - Carefully refurbished - The seat height is 39 cm.
Fabric, Beech
Lounge Chair by Jaroslav Smidek for Jitona, 1960s
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Wien, AT
Designed during the Socialist era. The frame is made of light beechwood. The core is made of natural coconut fiber, providing comfortability. Very quality English velvet upholstery f...
Velvet, Beech
$2,795 / set
20th Century Armchairs by J. Smidek, a Pair
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
This beautiful pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs were made in Czechia by renowned furniture manufacturers TON, design attributed to J. Smidek. Low-set and comfortable, a deep seat...
Bouclé, Bentwood
$3,195 / set
1960s Mid-Century Czech Armchairs, a Pair
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
Produced in the former Czechoslovakia, this essential 1960s design is attributed to Jaroslav Šmídek. Comfortable angles and clean lines are designed to delight, influenced by the mid-20th Century Modernist movement in Central Europe. These low-profile armchairs are re-upholstered in updated neutral fabrics, chosen to compliment the elegant polish of the hardwood frame. Produced by various manufacturers and explored by generations of designers, the bentwood shape is infused with dynamism and movement, reflecting the origins of the technique and the optimism of the industrial revolution-- steam bent furniture was a technological innovation developed by the Thonet Brothers...
Fabric, Upholstery, Hardwood
$3,383Sale Price / set|20% Off
Two Armchairs Designed by Jaroslav Šmidek for Ton, Czech Republic, 1960s
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A pair of armchairs designed by Jaroslav Šmídek, model 53, produced by TON in Czechoslovakia during the 1960s. These striking examples of mid-century Czech design feature sculptural ...
Velvet, Beech
$1,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
Armchairs Designed by Jaroslav Šmidek for Ton, Czech Republic, 1960s
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Armchairs designed by Jaroslav Šmidek, type 53. They were manufactured at the Ton factory in the 1960s in Czech Republic. Purified beech wood polished and finished with matt varnish....
Velvet, Beech
1960s Pair of Jaroslav Smidek Armchairs for TON, Czechoslovakia
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered - Repolished - Sturdy and stable
Fabric, Wood
1960s Beech Armchair by Jaroslav Smidek for TON, Czechoslovakia
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered - Carefully refurbished - The seat height is 42 cm
Wood, Beech
Pair of Restored Red Midcentury Armchairs, Made by Jaroslav Šmídek, Czechia 1950
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Pair of armchairs, midcentury Czechoslovakia Completely restored by our team. Period: 1950-1960 Maker: Jaroslav Šmídek.
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
$2,795 / set
1960s Czech Upholstered Armchairs, a Pair
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
Time has not dulled the sharp silhouette of this striking pair of Midcentury Modern armchairs. Made in Czechia in the 1960s, attributed to Jaroslav Smidek who designed for many promi...
Fabric, Wood
1960s Czech Armchairs by J. Smidek for Ton, a Pair
By Jaroslav Smidek, TON a.s.
Located in High Point, NC
A graphic Modernist silhouette gives this pair of vintage wooden armchairs a timeless appeal. Produced in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1960s, the design is attributed to Jaroslav...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,617Sale Price|35% Off
H 33.08 in W 18.12 in D 24.41 in
20th Century Black Leather Armchair "Korium" by Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Sofia, BG
Midcentury leather armchair Korium by Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi. Made in 1980 and in very good condition, Italy.
Leather
1960s Beech Armchair by TON, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- carefully refurbished - Newly reupholstered - high of seat 48 cm
Beech, Fabric
$2,643Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 33.08 in W 33.08 in D 27.56 in
20th Century Pair of French Blue Hand Carved Neoclassical Wood Cane Armchairs
Located in Sofia, BG
Pair of dark flame birch carved armchairs upholstered in blue. Features caned back and arms and exposed carved wood that has a handsomely aged patina. France, circa 1920.
Cane, Wood
American Military Airplane Seat Armchair, Mid-20th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
Space age hyper-modern aluminum and steel aircraft chair. Extremely comfortable and needless to say very sturdy and durable. Was originally coated in p...
Chrome
$2,867
H 38.98 in W 29.93 in D 27.56 in
Teak Lounge Chair by Sven Ellekaer for Komfort, Denmark, 1960s
By Komfort
Located in KUTNO, PL
The minimalist teak frame and the wide, upholstered seat and back create a comfortable and striking armchair. The frame and legs are made of solid wood. Fine leather details not only...
Wool, Teak
20th Century English Carved Oak Elizabethan Style Armchair
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a carved solid oak armchair in the Elizabethan atyle. The chair was made in England, circa 1900. All of the carving is hand done and of superior quality and depth. The chair ...
Oak
F588 Lounge Chair by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, 1960s
By Geoffrey D. Harcourt, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very cosy and comfortable Artifort model F588 lounge chair. Designed by the famous English designer Geoffrey Harcourt in the 60's. The chair is...
Fabric
$345Sale Price|40% Off
H 29.14 in W 23.63 in D 27.56 in
Boomerang Armchair By Ton, Czechoslovakia 1960s
By TON a.s.
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful vintage armchair produced by TON company in 1960s. The armchair is known as the Boomerang chair, named after the shape of the armrests which are made of bent woods and slig...
Textile, Oak, Bentwood
20th Century Swedish Grace Bare Wood Armchairs
Located in Kramfors, SE
Bare wood pine and birch armchairs from the 1930s, during the Swedish Grace period. The chairs are bare wood and has the typical characteristics of Swedish design from the period. Fe...
Birch, Pine
1960s Beech Armchair by Jaroslav Smidek for TON, Czechoslovakia
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered - Carefully refurbished - The seat height is 42 cm
Wood, Beech
1960s Mid-Century Czech Armchairs, a Pair
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
Produced in the former Czechoslovakia, this essential 1960s design is attributed to Jaroslav Šmídek. Comfortable angles and clean lines are designed to delight, influenced by the mid-20th Century Modernist movement in Central Europe. These low-profile armchairs are re-upholstered in updated neutral fabrics, chosen to compliment the elegant polish of the hardwood frame. Produced by various manufacturers and explored by generations of designers, the bentwood shape is infused with dynamism and movement, reflecting the origins of the technique and the optimism of the industrial revolution-- steam bent furniture was a technological innovation developed by the Thonet Brothers...
Fabric, Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage Danish Lounge Chair by Aage Pedersen for Getama, 1960s
By GETAMA
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish lounge chair GE-88 by Aage Pedersen for GETAMA Denmark 1960s. Danish modern lounge chair model GE88 designed by the owner of the GETAMA f...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Upholstered Armchair By Jaroslav Smidek
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bentwood armchair designed by Czech furniture designer Jaroslav Smidek for Ton features a bent beech wood frame and muted blue green tweed upholstery. Smidek learned furniture desi...
Fabric, Beech
Yellow mid-century design armchair by Jaroslav Šmídek
By Jitona, Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Yellow mid-century design armchair by Jaroslav Šmídek for Jitona in very nice condition, small signes of use, new upholstery.
Fabric, Wood
Blue mid-century design armchair by Jaroslav Šmídek
By Jitona, Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Blue mid-century design armchair by Jaroslav Šmídek for Jitona in very nice condition, small signes of use, new upholstery.
Fabric, Wood
1960s Mid-Century Armchairs by Jaroslav Šmídek
By TON a.s., Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
Produced in the former Czechoslovakia, this pair of armchairs from circa 1960 are re-upholstered with an updated natural white fabric, chosen to compliment the elegant polish of the ...
Fabric, Bentwood
20th Century Armchairs by TON, a Pair
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
This beautiful pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs were made in Czechia by renowned furniture manufacturers TON, design attributed to J. Smidek. Low-set and comfortable, a deep seat...
Upholstery, Bentwood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 24.02 in D 25.2 in
Restored Mid-Century Pink & Blue Armchairs by J. Smidek for TON, 1960s, Set of 2
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Żory, PL
A pair of beech wood armchairs designed by Jaroslav Smidek and produced by TON in the mid-1960s in Czech Republic. These armchairs have been completely restored. The wood has been la...
Fabric, Beech
1960s Czech Wooden Armchairs by Jaroslav Smidek, a Pair
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
A graphic silhouette gives this pair of vintage wooden armchairs a timeless sophistication. Produced in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1960s, the form is attributed to Jaroslav Smi...
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Czech Wooden Armchairs by Jaroslav Smidek, a Pair
By TON a.s., Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
Stylish yet playful, this pair of wooden armchairs make a striking vintage accent. Produced in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1960s, the design is attributed to Jaroslav Smidek, wh...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Midcentury Armchairs by Jaroslav Smidek, 1960s
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of fabric, wood New fabric, wood restored Good original condition.
Fabric, Wood
1970s Upholstered Wooden Armchair, TON
By TON a.s., Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
This 1970s armchair, designed by Jaroslav Smidek for TON, combines the homey comfort of wood with a streamlined Modernist geometry for an effect that is both familiar and stylishly unique. Sourced from Czechia, the spindled backrest and legs recall the design of traditional country kitchen furniture...
Bouclé, Hardwood
1960s Czech Ochre Bouclé Armchairs by J. Smidek
By Jaroslav Smidek, TON a.s.
Located in High Point, NC
Time has not dulled the sharp silhouette of this striking pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs. Made in Czechia in the 1960s, and attributed to Jaroslav Smidek who designed for many prominent Czech furniture makers of the Mid-20th Century. These chairs combine the cushioned comfort of a gently reclined...
Bouclé, Wood
1960s Czech Upholstered Armchairs by J. Smidek
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
Time has not dulled the sharp silhouette of this striking pair of Midcentury Modern armchairs. Made in Czechia in the 1960s, attributed to Jaroslav Smidek who designed for many promi...
Fabric, Bentwood