Thanks to design lovers’ enthusiasm for Art Deco and mid-century modern furniture, and the increasingly competitive market for pieces by more famous creators, 20th-century Czech designers are making their way back onto the international stage. Foremost among these talents is Jindřich Halabala.
Halabala was one of the leading designers of a particularly rich period in Czech furniture history, when pieces were defined by Bauhaus functionalism as well as Art Deco influences. He was a cabinetmaker’s son whose training was almost wholly focused on woodwork, first at a state-run vocational school for woodworking in Valašské Meziříčí and later at UP Závody in Brno, where he ultimately became chief designer.
Halabala's alluring bentwood H chairs, such as the H269 and H237, and stylized ottomans have become classics, while his 1930s and 1940s sofas, tables and storage cabinets, with their sweeping curves, stylized geometry and dark, richly grained wood, embody the best of Art Deco furniture design, a style that was brought to worldwide attention at an exhibition in Paris in 1925.
Halabala's work, which was manufactured by the likes of Thonet and UP Závody, is seen by some as the segue between early 1900s Czech Cubism and the modern style that dominated the mid-century years.
Find a collection of vintage Jindřich Halabala furniture today on 1stDibs.
Minibar-Luxury Glazed Drinks Cabinet by Jindrich Halabala
By Up Závody, Jindřich Halabala
Located in Vienna, AT
Luxury glazed drinks cabinet, beechwood, walnut veneer and black lacquered side legs. In excellent condition. Presumably executed by Spojene UP Zavody, Czechoslovakia.
Art Glass, Beech
$947Sale Price|20% Off
H 24.41 in W 25.6 in D 16.54 in
Art Deco Bar Designed by Jindřich Halabala, 1930's
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in Praha, CZ
- made in Czechoslovakia - made of glass, wood - good, original condition.
Glass, Wood
$5,770
H 61.03 in W 37.8 in D 17.33 in
Luxury Parisian Art Deco Burl Walnut Display Cabinet with Brass Hardware, 1930s
Located in Almelo, NL
Exceptional Parisian Art Deco display cabinet from the 1930s, executed in richly figured burl walnut and fitted with original patinated brass hardware. Offered in fully original cond...
Brass
Gramophone Cabinet Designed by Jindřich Halabala, 1950's
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of wood, veneer - Good, original condition - The record player is spinning - Has signs of use.
Wood
Vintage Art Deco Sideboard by Jindřich Halabala, Circa 1935
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, vintage Art Deco Czech sideboard, cabinet made of hand crafted Mahogany and Pinewood, in the style of Jindrich Halabala in good condition. The cupboard is composed with two doors and round polished door handles, pulls. The interior of the tall commode...
Metal, Chrome
$3,948
H 48.82 in W 17.72 in D 48.82 in
Scandinavian Teak Showcase from the 60's by HW Klein Edited by Bramin
By Henry Walter Klein
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Very nice Scandinavian vitrine from the 60's attributed to designer Henry Walt Klein, edited by Bramin. Structure in solid teak and veneer. It is composed of two sliding glass doors ...
Glass, Teak
19thC English Painted Glazed Bookcase / Vitrine / Cabinet
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1880. 19thC English painted glazed bookcase vitrine cabinet Adjustable shelves in the top cabinet. Strong form with a narrow depth making a versatile decorators piece of furn...
Pine
$4,538Sale Price|30% Off
H 64.97 in W 51.19 in D 14.18 in
20th Century Grand Demilune Mahogany Display Cabinet or Vitrine with Mirror Back
Located in Sofia, BG
Grand Victorian style vitrine with mahogany frame, glass sides and curved glass top. There are three adjustable glass shelves and a mirror back. The front door is with original key a...
Mahogany
19thC English Glazed Oak Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1870 19thC English Glazed Oak Bookcase Cabinet Adjustable Shelves and original hardware with good form and colour. With original Key for top cabine...
Oak
$1,933Sale Price|55% Off
H 111.03 in W 61.03 in D 22.84 in
Late 19th Century Louis XV Style French Hand Carved Vitrine a Deux Corps
Located in Sofia, BG
A late 19th century Louis XV style French vitrine a deux corps made of solid walnut with raised panels and beautiful carved details. Crown has curved corners with floral carving at t...
Glass, Walnut
$576Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.51 in W 37.01 in D 13.39 in
1950s, Cabinet by Jindrich Halabala for Up Zavody, Czechoslovakia
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in Praha, CZ
-Black glass plate with certain signs of use. -In good original condition.
Smoked Glass, Wood
$2,752Sale Price|51% Off
H 40.16 in W 80.32 in D 21.26 in
Buffet Art Deco Cerused Oak Marble Top & Brass, French, circa 1930
Located in Labrit, Landes
Art Déco French buffet cerused oak, marble top and brass. The floral bas-reliefs are highlighted by the white ceruse. Made circa 1930 Two doors and three drawers. Completely redone finishes. Two traces of an old buffet...
Marble, Brass
19thC French Ebonised Glazed Cabinet
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1890 19thC French Ebonised Glazed Cabinet sku 340 W121 x D42 x H198 cm Internal shelf depth 28.5 cm Weight 76 kg
Pine
Sold
H 45.28 in W 87.01 in D 25.99 in
Original Art Deco Buffet, by J. Halabala for UP Závody, Walnut, Czech, 1920s
By Jindřich Halabala, Up Závody
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This luxurious sideboard or commode with the poetic name "Tulipán," originating from the 1920s, represents the absolute pinnacle of interwar design in the Art Deco style. It was desi...
Walnut, Lacquer, Wood
Sold
H 37.01 in W 49.61 in D 21.66 in
Restored Art Deco Buffet, By J. Halabala For Up Závody, Mahogany, Czech, 1930s
By Up Závody, Jindřich Halabala
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This sideboard (bufet) is an iconic piece of interwar Czechoslovak design from the 1930s. It was designed by the legendary architect Jindřich Halabala, who, as the chief designer for...
Wood, Lacquer, Mahogany
Wall Unit Model H by Jindřich Halabala for UP Závody
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Wall unit model H by Jindrich Halabala for UP Závody in original condition. Bookcase 120 x 124 x 43cm. Bar cabinet 180 x 124 x 43cm.
Wood
Buffet Art Deco J. Halabala from 1920
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
We present a made to order, unique designer Art Deco buffet from 1920, designed and made by a famous designer and carperter Jindrich Halabala - (a Czech designer ranked among the mos...
Walnut