Michael van Beuren was born in New York and studied architecture at the Bauhaus under Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Josef Albers until its closure in 1933. He moved to Acapulco at the end of 1936, where he oversaw the design of the interiors of the bungalows at the renowned Flamingo Hotel in 1937, and quickly became a formative member of the Mexican Modernism movement.
By 1938, van Beuren began focusing on furniture design, working with a fellow Bauhaus colleague, Klaus Grabe, to create modern and affordable pieces. Inspired by the local culture and craftsmanship, the duo applied Bauhaus design principles to popular Mexican mainstays, such as woven reclining chaises and wooden dining chairs.
The approach was a success — Grabe, Morley Webb and van Beuren were named among the winners of a 1941 competition organized by the Museum of Modern Art that focused on designer teams from the United States and Latin America called “Organic Design in Home Furnishings.” This award catapulted them to wide renown.
In the following years, van Beuren founded his furniture label Domus, which became synonymous with well-crafted, modernist design that garnered fans both in Mexico and America. Along with his own designs, Domus also produced work by Clara Porset, a friend and contemporary of van Beuren’s. However, by 1951, the company’s move toward more mass manufacturing meant that van Beuren’s earlier designs were no longer being produced.
Find vintage Michael van Beuren furniture on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by 7710 Gallery)
$1,500 / set
Set of Two Chairs by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, we offer this set of two early chairs by Michael Van Beuren made in mahogany and plywood, includes brand label. About Michael Van Beuren: Michael Van Beuren (1911–2...
Mahogany
Midcentury Wood 'Rib' Bar Stool by Michael van Beuren for Luteca Indoor/Outdoor
By Michael van Beuren, Luteca Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Michael van Beuren, an American designer who attended Germany's prestigious Bauhaus school was the most famous 20th century furniture designer in Mexico. His goal was to bring modern furniture, expertly crafted to the Mexican market...
Leather, Teak
Mid-century Slat Wood Easy Rocking Chair by Michael Van Beuren for Domus, Pair
By Domus, Michael van Beuren
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Pair of Michael van Beuren-designed "Easy" rocking chairs features a sinuous crescent-shaped form supported by an angular frame. Each chair features a wood seat attached to the frame...
Brass
$12,000 / set
Set of Six Chairs by Michael Van Beuren for Domus
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this original Set of Six Chairs by Michael Van Beuren for Domus in pine wood and with the characteristic Terracota Van Beuren col...
Pine
Ole Wanscher Set of Six Chairs for a. J. Iversen
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Ole Wanscher set of six chairs in mahogany with seats of black leather. Executed by A. J. Iversen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Leather, Mahogany
$695Sale Price|28% Off
H 39.375 in W 35 in D 21.5 in
Danish Mid-Century Pine and Rush Rocking Chair Inspired by Charlotte Perriand
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Danish Mid-Century pine and rush rocking chair inspired by Charlotte Perriand, Les Arc series. In good original condition with nice patina and visible wear. Condition is consistent w...
Rush, Pine
$6,790 / item
H 33 in W 24 in D 34 in
Midcentury, Line Lounge Chair by Michael van Beuren, Walnut & Velvet, by LUTECA
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Line lounge chair was designed in circa 1945 by Michael van Beuren, an American who trained at Germany's prestigious Bauhaus school and then immigrated to Mexico to become one of the most successful and sought after furniture designers of the 20th century. The Line chair has a distinctly Latin American flavor with its curved legs whilst honoring the international style...
Velvet, Walnut
$6,601 / item
H 28.75 in W 28.35 in D 30.32 in
Customizable ClassiCon Euvira Rocking Chair by Jader Almeida
By Jader Almeida
Located in New York, NY
The Euvira rocking chair by Jader Almeida is a masterful blend of yesterday and today, lightness and solidity. With its precisely orchestrated flowing li...
Oak
Blue Knoll Tulip Chairs by Saarinen, Set of Two
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the Knoll Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen, a stunning set of two that exemplifies mid-century modern elegance. These iconic chairs feature a sleek, pedestal base crafted fro...
Aluminum
$5,000 / set
H 37.21 in W 18.51 in D 19.69 in
Gio Ponti & Emilio Lancia Chairs for Domus Nova, 1930, Set of 2
By Emilio Lancia, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti e Emilio Lancia Chairs for Domus Nova, fabric and wood, Italy, 1930, set of two Designed in 1930 by Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia for Domus Nova, these chairs represent a pi...
Fabric, Wood
$10,000 / set
H 37.21 in W 18.51 in D 19.69 in
Gio Ponti & Emilio Lancia Chairs for Domus Nova, 1930, Set of 4
By Emilio Lancia, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti & Emilio Lancia Chairs for Domus Nova, fabric and wood, Italy, 1930, set of four Designed in 1930 by Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia for Domus Nova, these chairs represent...
Fabric, Wood
Italian Rocking Chair Model 572 By Cassina
By Cassina
Located in London, GB
An incredible and very rare rocking chair (has been attributed to Gio Ponti in the past and shows a strong and striking resemblance to his designs) in walnut, rubber and fabric for C...
Steel
Set of Two 'Pamplona' Chairs by Augusto Savini, 1960s
By Pozzi, Augusto Savini
Located in amstelveen, NL
Augusto Savini for Pozzi, 'Pamplona' dining chairs, black lacquered ash wood, caramel leather upholstery, Italy, 1960s, set of 2. Armchairs in black wood and new leather upholstery....
Leather, Bentwood
$4,105 / item
H 32.5 in W 30 in D 34.25 in
Modernist Mexican San Miguel Lounge Chair by Michael van Beuren from Luteca
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The San Miguel lounge chair is a timeless mid-century Mexican piece inspired by the classic Latin American Butaque chair famed by the likes of 20th Century Mexican architect Luis Barragan and Industrial Designer Clara Porset. Michael van Beuren, an American born designer trained at Germany's famous Bauhuas school, produced this award winning piece in 1941 for the MoMA's Organic Design Exhibition in New York along with it's sister-design, the Alacran Chaise...
Teak
Vintage Bentwood Rocking Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Bentwood Rocking chair. This unique chair is a perfect conversation piece for any living room or lounge space. Please confirm...
Wood, Bentwood
IKEA FROSTA Chair Set Of Two
By IKEA
Located in Čelinac, BA
IKEA FROSTA Chair Set of Two Sweden 1980s
Wood
Michael van Beuren Original Pair of Chairs for Domus
By Domus, Michael van Beuren
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
In 1937 Michael van Beuren arrived for the first time in Mexico and he marvelled at the historical moment that the country was living, as a new middle class emerged, with particular ...
Fabric, Mahogany
Michael van Beuren Original Pair of Chairs for Domus
By Domus, Klaus Grabe, Michael van Beuren
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
In 1937 Michael van Beuren arrived for the first time in Mexico and he marvelled at the historical moment that the country was living, as a new middle class emerged, with particular ...
Pine
Michael van Beuren 'Edimburgo' Armchair
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Superb and rare armchair by Michael Van Beuren for his company, made in Mexico in the 1960s. The beautiful chair boasts a nice combination of woods with a stunning teak backrest -- this is not a chair you should keep up against the wall! The original leather seat is in good vintage condition with some signs of wear (photos show examples of this). Frame shows signs of use but is good overall and ready for immediate use. The Van Beuren label is affixed underneath the chair and is great shape, with all text clearly visible -- a rare find for one of these 1960s Mexican modern chairs.
Leather, Teak
Set of Two Chairs Model Edimburgo by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this set of two chairs Model Edimburgo by Michael Van Beuren, with original upholstery and brand label. About Michael Van Beuren: Michael Van Beuren (1911–...
Mahogany
Mexican San Miguelito Chair Attributed to Michael van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Mexican San Miguelito chair attributed to Michael Van Beuren, circa 1950 in primavera wood and leather ribbons.
Leather
Set of Four Chairs Model Edimburgo by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this set of four chairs Model Edimburgo by Michael Van Beuren, with original upholstery and brand label. About Michael Van Beuren: Michael Van Beuren (1911...
Mahogany
Rare and Original Domus Dinning Set by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare and original Domus dinning set (Table and 4 chairs) in pine wood and with the characteristic green Van Beuren color, designed by the American Bauhaus designer, Mic...
Pine
Rare and Original Domus Dinning Set by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare and original Domus dinning set (Table and 4 chairs) in pine wood and with the characteristic Van Beuren color, designed by the American Bauhaus designer, Michael V...
Pine
Michael van Beuren “San Miguelito” Chair
By Domus, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
San Miguelito chair by Michael van Beuren for Domus, circa 1940s. The San Miguelito or Miguel chair was named after van Beuren’s Spanish moniker, “...
Leather, Pine
Sold
H 31.5 in W 21.66 in D 26.38 in
Original Michael Van Beuren Pair of Mexican San Miguelito Easy Chairs and Table
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this original Michael Van Beuren set, circa 1950. Includes a pair of San Miguelito easy chairs in original vintage conditions with cotton strips...
Cotton
Sold
H 31.5 in W 18.5 in D 19.5 in
Michael van Beuren Set of Four Original Chairs and Cocktail Table for Domus
By Klaus Grabe, Domus, Michael van Beuren
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Wonderful set of original chairs and a rare cocktail table that the years have not been able to separate, this is a unique opportunity to have in your space an important part of the ...
Pine, Palmwood
Pair of Chairs Model Pine 500 by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Pine wood México the model Pine 500 was one of the first designs for his company Domus, circa 1950. About Michael Van Beuren: Michael Van Beuren (1911–2004) was born in New Yor...
Pine