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 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 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
$3,467 / set
H 30.71 in W 23.63 in D 29.14 in
Pair of Bent Beechwood Armchairs, Design Jan Vaněk, 1930's.
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Fabric,Beechwood Good Original condition
Fabric, Wood, Beech
On Hold|$1,739 / set
H 36.23 in W 25.2 in D 33.47 in
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 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
$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
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
$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
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
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
$1,319Sale 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
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
Midcentury Design Armchair / Czechoslovakia 1950s 'Renovated'
Located in Praha, CZ
- Czechoslovakia, circa 1950s - Completely renovated, wooden parts refreshed - Very comfortable.
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