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.
Czech Midcentury Brown Beech Sofa by Jan Vanek, New Upholstery, 1950s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Midcentury beech sofa Material: Beech Completely restored. New upholstery, Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1950-1959.
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer, Upholstery, Beech
Completely Restored Czech Beech Midcentury Cheslong Sofa/Bed, Jan Vanek, 1950s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Sofa - Bed, midcentury Source: Czechoslovakia Period: 1950 - 1959 Material: Beech Completely restored.
Wood, Beech
1950s Italian 2-Seater Sofa , Restored
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered in Velvet fabric - Sturdy and stable
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet
$1,975
H 30.32 in W 25.6 in D 29.53 in
Jan Vaněk Attributed Bentwood Lounge Chair, 1940s Czech Functionalism
By Jan Vanek
Located in Almelo, NL
Jan Vaněk Attributed Bentwood Lounge Chair, 1940s Czech Functionalism This sculptural bentwood lounge chair, attributed to influential Czech designer Jan Vaněk, exemplifies the clea...
Upholstery, Hardwood
1950s Sofa with Houndstooth Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Highland, IN
This wonderful sofa has a design reminiscent of Edward Wormley's work for Dunbar, and a quality construction to match. The clean lines and subtle details allow the form to be the per...
Upholstery, Wood
Midcentury Italian Large Curved Sofa, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Italian 20th century vintage curved four-seat sofa composed of six splayed polished legs, large wing shaped arms and a statement high back in the style of Ico Parisi. Rare...
Fabric
Italian Sofa Bed, 1950s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This Italian sofa bed was designed in the 1950s. The shapes lend elegance and modernity to the otherwise quite minimalist design. The seat is foldable...
Iron
Ludvig Pontoppidan, Sofa, Shearling, Beech, Denmark, c. 1950s
By Ludvig Pontoppidan
Located in High Point, NC
A sheepskin and beech sofa designed and produced by Ludvig Pontoppidan, Denmark, c. 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 17.25" Arm Height (inches): 24.75" All items ship from High Point,...
Sheepskin, Beech
$11,005 / item
H 27.56 in W 74.81 in D 47.25 in
1970s Design Anfibio Foldable Sofa Bed Relax Atollo Blu Jeans Becchi Giovannetti
By Alessandro Becchi
Located in Casalguidi, IT
The bed-sofa, designed by Alessandro Becchi together with the Giovannetti staff has recently celebrated its 50 years. Its history is full of important events and participations. A p...
Fabric
Giò Sofa Bed
By Morelato
Located in Milan, IT
The Giò collection has been designed by the company’s internal Research Center. Giò is a collection, in which design and functionality meet. The sofa bed has...
Wood, Fabric
$96,000
H 25.2 in W 93.31 in D 31.5 in
Curved Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, Midcentury Brazilian Design, 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
A prolific and gifted designer, Joaquim Tenreiro (1906–1992) masterfully laid the groundwork for modern living in Brazil through his furniture and interiors. Born in Portugal and tra...
Leather, Hardwood
$17,947 / item
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Anfibio Foldable Sofa Bed 190 cm Vintage Leather Becchi Giovannetti
By Alessandro Becchi
Located in Casalguidi, IT
The bed-sofa, designed by Alessandro Becchi together with the giovannetti staff has recently celebrated its 50 years. Its history is full of important events and participations. A p...
Leather
$3,930 / set
H 35.04 in W 24.81 in D 37.41 in
Pair of Sculptural Ashwood Lounge Chairs by Jan Vaněk, Czech Republic, 1960s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Almelo, NL
Pair of Sculptural Ashwood Lounge Chairs by Jan Vaněk, Czech Republic, 1960s A sculptural pair of ashwood lounge chairs by Jan Vaněk, Czech Republic, 1960s. Strong architectural lin...
Ash
$2,830
H 29.53 in W 54.73 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Sofa by Jan Bočan, Czech Republic, 1970s
By Jan Bočan
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Sofa by Jan Bočan, Czech Republic, 1970s This striking bentwood two-seater sofa was designed by renowned Czech architect and designer Jan Bočan in the 19...
Upholstery, Bentwood