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.
Woven Oak Stool by Jan Vaněk for Krásná Jizba, Czechoslovakia, 1940s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Almelo, NL
Woven Oak Stool by Jan Vaněk for Krásná Jizba, Czechoslovakia, 1940s This rare woven stool was designed by influential Czech modernist Jan Vaněk and manufactured by Krásná Jizba in ...
Fabric, Oak
Jan Vanek sculptural set of two oak stools featuring woven canvas straps, 1940s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Almelo, NL
Jan Vanek sculptural set of two oak stools, crafted featuring woven canvas straps, Prague 1940s Jan Vanek's sculptural set of two oak stools, crafted from oak and featuring woven...
Canvas, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Oak and Canvas Stool by Jan Vaněk, Prague, 1940s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern Oak and Canvas Stool by Jan Vaněk, Prague, 1940s A rare and beautifully crafted oak and canvas stool designed by Czech architect and designer Jan Vaněk in the 194...
Canvas, Oak
1940s, Jan Vanek Sculptural Oak Stool or Ottoman, Czechoslovakia
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
- Sturdy and stable. - Good original condition with minor sign of use. - Cleaning.
Fabric, Wood
$3,480 / set
H 16.54 in W 17.33 in D 11.03 in
Set of 4 Sculptural French Art Deco Stools in Wood & Lambswool, 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
A sculptural set of four mid-century stools, crafted in France circa 1930–1940. The design showcases forms, and subtle sculptural qualities characteristic of Art Deco furniture movem...
Lambskin, Wool, Wood
$3,139 / set
H 29.53 in W 25.99 in D 24.41 in
1940s Rare Pair of Oak Armchairs by Krasna Jizba, Czechoslovakia
By Krasna JIzba
Located in Praha, CZ
- Spring seats - Very comfortable - The color is actually brown - The substance has signs of usability - Structurally solid.
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Art Deco Stools, Czechoslovakia, 1940s
Located in Praha, CZ
This refined pair of Art Deco stools was produced in Czechoslovakia during the 1940s. The stools combine solid beech wood construction with round upholstered seats, resulting in a ba...
Fabric, Velvet, Wood, Beech
$3,080 / set
H 20.48 in W 20.48 in D 16.54 in
Giuseppe Pagano Pair of Italian Oak and Woven Rope Stools, Italy, 1940s
By Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous and unique pair of stools entirely crafted in solid oak and completed by beautifully hand-woven rope seats. These refined stools were designed by the mastery of Giuseppe Pa...
Rope, Wood, Oak
Rare Set of 5 1940s Alvar Aalto 60 Birch Nesting stools
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A set of 5 Early Stool #60 designed by Alvar Aalto and produced in Sweden by Artek. During the war period Artek opened factories in neutral Sweden where supplies were still available...
Birch, Bentwood, Plywood, Lacquer
1940s French Mid Century Bar Stools- Set of 3
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A set of three French bar stools in the manner of Pierre Jeanneret circa 1945.
Leather, Walnut
Pair of 1940s Upholstered Stools
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of stools with nicely patinated wood and new mohair upholstery.
Mohair
Bar Stool for Knoll, 1940s
By Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A beautifully constructed stool having an architectural blackened steel base with a floating chrome footrest supporting a sculptural walnut seat upholstered with thick patinated wove...
Steel
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
Swedish Modern Stool, 1940s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful Swedish Modern stool in a curved form with fluted legs in stained beech. Dressed in original velvet upholstery.
Velvet, Beech
Ludvig Sturm Attribution, Stool, Fabric, Oak, Sweden, 1940s
By Ludvig Sturm
Located in High Point, NC
A stained oak and floral-printed fabric stools attributed to Ludvig Sturm for Inrednings-Kompaniet, Malmö, Sweden, c. 1940s. Minimal wear. Patina nailheads. Overall Dimensions (in...
Fabric, Oak
$1,475 / set
H 15.5 in W 15.5 in D 15.5 in
Mid Century Alvar Aalto Tables / Stools by Artek, Model 60, Circa 1940s
By Artek
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful mid century Alvar Aalto tables / stools manufactured by Artek, Model 60, Circa 1940s, Stacking tables. Bentwood and formica top. Very good vintage condition. Wear appropri...
Formica, Bentwood
Sold
H 13 in W 20.48 in D 13.78 in
1930s Bentwood Stool by Jan Vaněk Czech Modernist Icon with Original Upholstery
By Jan Vanek
Located in Almelo, NL
1930s Bentwood Stool by Jan Vaněk – Czech Modernist Icon with Original Upholstery Description: A rare and authentic example of early Czech modernism, this bentwood stool was designe...
Upholstery, Bentwood
JAN VANEK Stool
By Jan Vanek
Located in Forest, BE
Jan Vanek was a Czech architect and designer. His journey in the world of design was heavily influenced by his family’s furniture business. Vanek’s early connections and collaboratio...
Cotton, Wood
Sold
H 15.36 in W 20.48 in D 12.6 in
1960s Jan Vanek Pair of Oak Stools with Cotton Strips, Czechoslovakia
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - new cotton strips - sturdy and stable
Cotton, Oak
1960s Pair of Jan Vanek Sculptural Stools, Czechoslovakia
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - New cotton strips.
Cotton, Wood
1940s Jan Vanek Sculptural Oak Stool or Ottoman, Czechoslovakia
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
- sturdy and stable - good original condition with minor sign of use.
Oak
Czech Midcentury Brown Oak Stools by Jan Vanek, 1950s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Midcentury oak pair of stools Material: Oak Completely restored. Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1950-1959.
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer, Oak
Sold
H 46 in W 58 in L 46 in
Midcentury Stool or Tabouret Designed by Jan Vaněk for Krásná Jizba, 1946
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of wood, fabric - New straps - Wooden part has been carefully refurbished - Good condition.
Fabric, Wood