The son of a furniture dealer and upholsterer, Jaroslav Smidek, like Jan Vanek and Jindrich Halabala, was born into the trade. Growing up, he helped out in the family workshop, where he learned his father’s craft.
Although he trained as an architect, Smidek quickly turned to industrial design, developing Montisektor furnishings, a line of pieces that could be assembled at home from prefabricated parts, in 1956 for VNP — a significant advance in Czech furniture production.
But it is his seating, such as the chairs he created for Jitona in the 1960s, that is most in demand. While his chairs carry a Scandinavian touch, there is no mistaking the gentle elegance of their uniquely Eastern European aesthetic.
Find vintage Jaroslav Smidek furniture today on 1stDibs.
$2,795 / set
20th Century Armchairs by J. Smidek, a Pair
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
This beautiful pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs were made in Czechia by renowned furniture manufacturers TON, design attributed to J. Smidek. Low-set and comfortable, a deep seat...
Bouclé, Bentwood
$2,795 / set
1960s Czech Upholstered Armchairs, a Pair
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
Time has not dulled the sharp silhouette of this striking pair of Midcentury Modern armchairs. Made in Czechia in the 1960s, attributed to Jaroslav Smidek who designed for many promi...
Fabric, Wood
$1,641Sale Price|35% Off
H 33.08 in W 18.12 in D 24.41 in
20th Century Black Leather Armchair "Korium" by Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Sofia, BG
Midcentury leather armchair Korium by Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi. Made in 1980 and in very good condition, Italy.
Leather
$2,705Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 33.08 in W 33.08 in D 27.56 in
20th Century Pair of French Blue Hand Carved Neoclassical Wood Cane Armchairs
Located in Sofia, BG
Pair of dark flame birch carved armchairs upholstered in blue. Features caned back and arms and exposed carved wood that has a handsomely aged patina. France, circa 1920.
Cane, Wood
American Military Airplane Seat Armchair, Mid-20th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
Space age hyper-modern aluminum and steel aircraft chair. Extremely comfortable and needless to say very sturdy and durable. Was originally coated in p...
Chrome
20th Century English Carved Oak Elizabethan Style Armchair
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a carved solid oak armchair in the Elizabethan atyle. The chair was made in England, circa 1900. All of the carving is hand done and of superior quality and depth. The chair ...
Oak
Set of two armchairs by Jaroslav Šmídek for TON, 1960s.
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Praha, CZ
This is a pair of armchairs designed by the architect Jaroslav Smidek and produced by the TON company during the 1960s, the armchairs have wooden armrests made of bent wood and fabr...
Fabric, Bentwood
20th Century Swedish Grace Bare Wood Armchairs
Located in Kramfors, SE
Bare wood pine and birch armchairs from the 1930s, during the Swedish Grace period. The chairs are bare wood and has the typical characteristics of Swedish design from the period. Fe...
Birch, Pine
1960s Beech Armchair by Jaroslav Smidek for TON, Czechoslovakia
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of wood and fabric The seat needs new fabric Measure: Seat height 45 cm.
Fabric, Wood
$1,704Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 33.4 in W 21.6 in D 20.1 in
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Czech Black Armchair with Upholstered Seat & Beech
By Hermann Czech, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 1994, the Hermann Czech chair represents the turning point of modern furniture towards the passion of reminiscence and intimacy: a contemporary design that evokes memorie...
Wood
$2,164
H 32.68 in W 22.84 in D 25.99 in
Armchair Designed by Jaroslav Šmidek for Ton, Czech Republic, 1960s
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
An armchair designed by Jaroslav Šmídek, model 53, produced by TON in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s. This mid-century modern piece exemplifies the elegance and craftsmanship of Czech d...
Velvet, Beech
1960s Beech Armchair by Jaroslav Smidek for TON, Czechoslovakia
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered - Carefully refurbished - The seat height is 42 cm
Wood, Beech
Collectible Armchair Design Umberto Mascagni, 1960s
By Umberto Mascagni
Located in taranto, IT
Splendid original collector's chair from the 1960s, designed by umberto mascagni and made, as per tradition, with a wood and metal structure and sand beige skay upholstery, with an e...
Metal
$3,126Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 26 in D 24.75 in
Midcentury Navy Blue Wool Upholstered Eero Saarinen Knoll Armchairs, Pair
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Basel, BS
A PAIR of Saarinen Executive Armchairs with metal bases, upholstered in a splendid navy blue wool textile. These chairs are completely original, and in spectacular condition. The uph...
Wool, Wood
1960s Mid-Century Armchairs by Jaroslav Šmídek
By TON a.s., Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
Produced in the former Czechoslovakia, this pair of armchairs from circa 1960 are re-upholstered with an updated natural white fabric, chosen to compliment the elegant polish of the ...
Fabric, Bentwood
1960s Czech Ochre Bouclé Armchairs by J. Smidek
By TON a.s., Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
Time has not dulled the sharp silhouette of this striking pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs. Made in Czechia in the 1960s, and attributed to Jaroslav Smidek who designed for many prominent Czech furniture makers of the Mid-20th Century. These chairs combine the cushioned comfort of a gently reclined...
Bouclé, Wood
1960s Czech Upholstered Armchairs by J. Smidek
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
Time has not dulled the sharp silhouette of this striking pair of Midcentury Modern armchairs. Made in Czechia in the 1960s, attributed to Jaroslav Smidek who designed for many promi...
Fabric, Bentwood
1960s Czech Wooden Armchairs, A Pair
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
This pair of 1960s wooden armchairs, designed by Jaroslav Smidek for TON, combine typical rustic elements with a streamlined Modernist geometry for an effect that is both comfortingly familiar and stylishly unique. Sourced from Czechia, the spindled backrest and legs recall the design of traditional country kitchen furniture...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
1960s Mid-Century Armchairs by Jaroslav Šmídek
By TON a.s., Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
Produced in the former Czechoslovakia, this pair of armchairs from circa 1960 are re-upholstered with an updated neutral beige fabric, chosen to compliment the elegant polish of the ...
Fabric, Bentwood
1960s Mid-Century Armchairs by Jaroslav Šmídek
By TON a.s., Jaroslav Smidek
Located in High Point, NC
Produced in the former Czechoslovakia, this pair of armchairs from circa 1960 are re-upholstered with an updated natural white fabric, chosen to compliment the elegant polish of the ...
Fabric, Bentwood