Elegance describes the designs of Jan Vanek.
Influenced by his family’s furniture company, Vandek studied woodworking. Following a stint in Germany, where he advanced his skills at established firms in Munich, Stuttgart and Heilbronn, he returned home to the former Czechoslovakia and took over the family business, which in 1920 became known as Spojené Uměleckoprůmyslové Závody, or UP Závody.
Vanek's early friendships and collaborations with architectural and design greats like Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Adolf Loos and others likely had much to do with his graceful style, best exemplified by his 1930s bentwood chairs, with the arabesque curves of their arms and legs conjoining to form open, dynamic loops.
True to Czech standards for uniformity, Vanek scarcely altered the design over decades of production, though he did gradually modernize his frames: His 1950s models are more angular, industrialized — and very definitely modern.
Find a collection of vintage Jan Vanek furniture today on 1stDibs.
Mid Century Armchairs / Easy Chairs by Jan Vanek for ULUV Czechoslovakia, 1950s
By ULUV Krásná jizba, Jan Vanek
Located in Lucenec, SK
The armchairs were designed in the 1950s by the Czech architect Ján Vanek for the ULUV (headquarters of Folk Art) in Czechoslovakia. The armchairs were in the inventory of Czechoslov...
Beech
Mid Century Armchairs / Easy Chairs by Jan Vanek for ULUV Czechoslovakia, 1950s
By ULUV Krásná jizba, Jan Vanek
Located in Lucenec, SK
The armchairs were designed in the 1950s by the Czech architect Ján Vanek for the ULUV (headquarters of Folk Art) in Czechoslovakia. The armchairs were in the inventory of Czechoslov...
Beech
$3,660 / set
H 32.29 in W 25.2 in D 26.78 in
Mid-Century Armchairs Designed by Jan Kalous for ÚLUV, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
By ULUV Krásná jizba
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Armchairs Designed by Jan Kalous for ÚLUV, Czechoslovakia, 1960s This rare and unique pair of armchairs, expertly designed by renowned Czech architect Jan Kalous, was ma...
Rattan, Beech
Mid Century Bentwood Armchair by Jan Vaněk, Czechoslovakia
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
This elegant Mid Century Modern bentwood armchair was designed by Jan Vaněk and produced in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s. Formed from expertly bent beechwood, the chair features a flu...
Cotton, Wood
1970s Pair of Rare Oak Armchairs by ULUV, Czechoslovakia
By ULUV Krásná jizba
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered - Carefully refurbished - Labeled by producer
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Oak
$3,630 / set
H 29.93 in W 24.02 in D 31.5 in
Jan Vanek's curved easy chairs curved oak, canvas and original upholstery 1950s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Almelo, NL
Jan Vanek's pair of two curved easy chairs with curved oak, canvas, and original upholstery, CZ 1960s Jan Vanek's pair of two curved easy chairs, crafted from oak and featuring wove...
Canvas, Upholstery, Oak
Jan Vaněk Mid-Century Oak Stool, Czechoslovakia, 1950s
Located in Praha, CZ
This Mid-Century Modern stool by Jan Vaněk was produced in Czechoslovakia in the 1950s and exemplifies Central European modernist craftsmanship. Constructed from solid oak and comple...
Fabric, Oak
Jan Vaněk Easy Chair in Oak and Canvas, Czechoslovakia, 1930s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Almelo, NL
Jan Vaněk Easy Chair in Oak and Canvas, Czechoslovakia, 1930s A striking and iconic example of early European modernism, this easy chair by Jan Vaněk—an influential figure in Czecho...
Canvas, Oak
Bent Beechwood Armchair, Design Jan Vaněk, 1930's.
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Fabric,Beechwood Two pieces in stock Good Original condition
Wood, Beech
$3,270
H 33.86 in W 28.35 in D 44.49 in
1960s Jan Vanek, Very Rare Relaxing Oak Armchair, Czechoslovakia
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition - The Chair is sturdy and stable - Fabric upholstery with some signs of use and it is suitable to be reupholstered - Seat height 36 cm
Fabric, Oak
1940s Jan Vanek Oak Armchairs for Krasna Jizba, Czechoslovakia
By Jan Vanek, Krasna JIzba
Located in Praha, CZ
- New Fabric - wooden parts have been refurbished - Height of seat 45 cm.
Fabric, Plastic, Wood
Midcentury Armchair by Jan Vanek for Krasna Jizba, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
This lounge chair by Jan Vanek for Krasna Jizba was made in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1950s. The hemp straps have been renewed and the wooden parts repainted. The cushions hav...
Oak, Fabric
Beechwood Armchairs, Design Jan Vaněk, 1930s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
Beechwood armchairs with tattered seat. Design Jan Vanek, Czechoslovakia, circa 1930s. Original good condition.
Beech
$1,690
H 32.68 in W 22.45 in D 28.35 in
Jan Vanek Easy Chair in Bentwood and Canvas, Praque, the 1930s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Almelo, NL
Jan Vanek easy chair in bentwood and canvas, Praque, the 1930s Czech architect Jan Vanek designed the Bauhaus easy chair in the 1930s, a contempo...
Fabric, Canvas, Bentwood
Two Jan Vanek Lounge Chairs for UP Zavodny
By Jan Vanek
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of lounge chairs, in wood and canvas, by Jan Vanek for UP Zavodny, Czech Republic, 1930s. Stunning pair of dynamic armchairs designed by Czech architect Jan Vanek (1891-1962)...
Rope, Plywood