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.
$507Sale Price|66% Off
Modernist Coffee Table by Jan Vaněk for Krásná Jizba
By Jan Vanek, Krasna JIzba
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Rare sculptural coffee table designed by Czech architect Jan Vanek for Krásná Jizba, Czechoslovakia in late 40's. Made of beech wood and very thick heavy glass. In very good original...
Glass, Wood
$540Sale Price|41% Off
Modernist oak side table by Jan Vaněk for Krásná Jizba
By Jan Vanek, Krasna JIzba
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Designed by duo of Czech architects Jan Vaněk and Ladislav Bartoníček for Krásná Jizba / Družstevní práce, Czechoslovakia 1947. Made of solid oak wood and oak veneer. In good origina...
Oak
Brown Jan Vanek Nest Tables Made in 1930s Czechia, Art Deco
By Jan Vanek
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Sold as a set. The tables have been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process. This item fe...
Oak
Modernist Cocktail Table by Guy Lefevre for Maison Jansen
By Guy Lefevre, Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
A modernist cocktail table designed by Guy Lefevre for Maison Jansen. Brushed nickel with a smoked glass top.
Stainless Steel
1930s Dutch Art Deco Amsterdam School Coffee Table
Located in London, London
A Dutch oak coffee table in the manner of the Amsterdam School, dating from the early to mid-20th century. Executed in solid oak with a rich warm tone, the table displays the sculptu...
Oak
$1,887
H 14.57 in W 26.78 in D 24.81 in
Sculptural Coffee Table, Side Table, Rustic, Burnt Wood, Black, Oak Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved coffee table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade desi...
Wood, Oak
French Art Deco Coffee Table Attributed to Jean Pascaud, 1930s
By Jean Pascaud
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional 1930s French art deco coffee table attributed to Jean Pascaud. Beautiful curves and silhouette. Exception wood grain pattern. Sturdy and in excellent condition. 43.5”...
Wood
Dutch Art Deco circular Coffee or Side Table in Oak, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Round Art Deco Coffee Table or Side Table from an unknown Dutch manufacturer, 1930s. Solid and very sturdy oak frame. Veneered tabletops with solid oak, hollow-profiled edges. Beauti...
Oak
French 1930’s Modernist low coffee table
Located in London, GB
A very good French Modernist polished solid and veneered oak low circular coffee table.
Oak
Art Deco Walnut Folding Lamp Table 1930s
Located in Dereham, GB
Art Deco Walnut Folding Lamp Table 1930s Circular top,Dia 20.5cm Half Moon loop & platform Supporting folding Circular Shaped Pedestal Base, Platform Base Block Shaped Feet REG...
Walnut
$2,653
H 23.63 in W 29.53 in D 21.66 in
Art Deco Modernist Coffee Table In the style of Fer Semey, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Art Deco Modernist coffee table. Design in the style of Fer Semey for Pander Den Haag. Striking Dutch design from the 1930s. Solid walnut base on original black ...
Walnut
$2,608 / item
H 17.72 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
“Portico Side Table” Collectible Riuvina Marble Side Table by Aparentment
By Josep Vila Capdevila
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Portico Side Table is a sculptural object inspired by the enduring architecture of the Mediterranean. Defined by its solid geometry and monolithic presence, the piece functions a...
Marble
$4,687
H 21.86 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Very Elegant Art Deco Coffee Table in Wrought Iron and Marble 1930s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Very elegant art deco coffee table in patinated wrought iron and white marble. Europe, 1930s. This coffee table is really a wonderful piece. Breathtakingly beautiful base in wrough...
Marble, Wrought Iron
Coffee Table By Jan Janssen And Oliver Gustav
By Jan Janssen
Located in London, GB
Coffee table designed by Jan Janssen and Oliver Gustav, fabricated in aluminum with a planar top and a vertically articulated base structure. The surface is perforated in a controlle...
Aluminum
$4,481
H 22.45 in Dm 42.92 in
Modernist teak and beech coffee table by Kurt Østervig for Jason, Denmark, 1950s
By Jason Ringsted, Kurt Østervig
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Coffee table designed by Kurt Østervig for Jason Ringsted in 1953. Three sculptural legs in beech with a table top of beautiful teak. Legs may be un...
Beech, Teak