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 by Jan Vanek for ULUV, Renovated, Czechoslovakia, 1950s
By Jan Vanek, ULUV Krásná jizba
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 Jan Vanek, ULUV Krásná jizba
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
$1,299Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.71 in W 24.41 in D 30.71 in
Jan Vanek Bentwood Lounge Chair, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare bentwood lounge chair designed by Jan Vanek and produced in Czechoslovakia during the 1960s. This striking piece features a sculptural ebonized beechwood frame with fluid curved...
Other
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
$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
$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
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
$3,187Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 23.23 in D 25.6 in
Bent Beechwood Armchairs Set, Design Jan Vaněk, 1930s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
Set of two bent beechwood armchairs with tattered seat. Design Jan Vanek, Czechoslovakia circa 1930s. Original good condition.
Beech
Unavailable|$2,556 / set
H 31.9 in W 23.6 in D 32.3 in
1950s Mid-Century Czech Beige Bentwood Armchairs, a Pair
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of armchairs by Czech furniture designer Jindrich Halabala. This 1950s design is upholstered in an updated beige fabric, the soothing earth tone was chosen to compliment the t...
Fabric, Bentwood
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
$9,114 / set
H 33.86 in W 24.41 in D 29.53 in
Pair of Modernist Wooden Armchairs by Jan Vaněk, Original Upholstery, circa 1935
By Jan Vanek, Up Závody
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of modernist wooden reclining armchairs by Jan Vanek with original upholstery. The armchairs were manufactured by UP Závody Brno, circa 1935. Jan Vanek (1891–1962) was archit...
Metal, Chrome
$1,928 / set
H 36.62 in W 20.87 in D 27.56 in
Restored Pair of Beech Czechoslovakia Mid-century Chairs, 1950s
By Miroslav Navratil
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Pair of armchairs, midcentury Czechoslovakia Completely restored. New fabric and upholstery. Period 1950-1960. We guarantee safe a the cheapest air transport from Europe to the whol...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
$1,308Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.11 in W 24.02 in D 28.15 in
Bentwood Armchair by Jan Vanek for UP Zavody, Brno, Czech Republic, 1930s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Vienna, Austria
1930s bentwood armchair designed by Jan Vanek for UP Zavody. The frame is made up of steamed beechwood that has been formed into curved elements. After it's assembly it was stained b...
Beech
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
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