Best known for his sleek, Bauhaus style, designer Robert Slezák was a pioneer in the manufacturing of chrome and bent-metal furniture during the early 20th century.
Born in the town of Bystřice pod Hostýnem in today’s Czech Republic, Slezák originally trained as a locksmith and in 1908 established a locksmith’s workshop in his hometown. What began as a small business providing common locksmith products grew into the Slezák Factory, which made brass fittings for furniture and buildings. In 1911, Slezák became one of the first manufacturers in Europe to use a galvanic coating of copper, chromium and nickel on the surface of his products.
Starting in 1913, Slezák focused on designing and producing brass and metal furniture with wood accents, like chairs, beds and tables. By the 1930s, Slezák’s furniture style began to evolve towards mid-century modern and Bauhaus design, leading to streamlined and tubular three-seat sofas, stools, bent-metal chairs, wood and chrome coffee tables, desks, lighting and cabinets. During this time, Slezák also collaborated with the Czech furniture company Ton N.P. Bystřice pod Hostýnem on pieces including his Bauhaus chrome and walnut side table.
After 1948, Slezák’s firm became part of the Kovona furniture-making company, which continued to produce and recreate Slezák’s designs from the 1950s to the 1980s. Since 1992, the Czech furniture manufacturer has been known as Kovonax.
Today, Slezák’s designs remain highly sought after by interior designers and collectors of mid-century and Bauhaus furniture.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Robert Slezák seating, tables, lighting and more.
Restored Art Deco Dressing Mirror, by R. Slezak, Glass, Walnut, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Designed by renowned Czech designer Robert Slezak. This dressing table with elements of Art Deco and Bauhaus originates from the first half of the 20th century in Czechoslovakia. I...
Glass, Mirror, Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
Restored Bauhaus Etagere, M. Breuer, Robert Slezak, Oak, Chrome, Czechia, 1930s
By Robert Slezák, Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Etagere Designer: Marcel Breuer Maker: Robert Slezak Material: Chrome-plated Steel, Oak Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 Revived original polish. ...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Oak Writing Desk, Robert Slezak, Chrome, Steel, Czechia, 1930s
By Robert Slezák, André Lurcat
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Oak Writing Desk. Maker: Robert Slezak Designer: André Lurcat This desk was designed by French modernist architect André Lurcat Catalog model: PS 8 Material: Oak, C...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Art Deco Dressing Mirror, by R. Slezak, Chrome, Steel, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This dressing table is a top representative of Czechoslovak functionalism and Bauhaus design from the 1930s. The factory of Robert Slezak in Bystrice pod Hostynem manufactured this p...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Pair of Chairs, M. Stam, R.Slezak, Chrome-plated Steel, Czechia
By Mart Stam, Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Pair of Chairs Designed by Mart Stam and Made by Robert Slezak. Designer: Mart Stam Maker: Robert Slezak Source: Czechia Material: Chrome-plated Steel, Lacquered w...
Steel, Chrome
Set of 4 Restored Bauhaus Chairs, Mart Stam, Robert Slezak, Czechia, 1930s
By Mart Stam, Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Set of 4 Restored Bauhaus Chairs designed by Mart Stam and made by Robert Slezak. Designer: Mart Stam Maker: Robert Slezak Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 Materia...
Steel, Chrome
Mid-Century Chrome Chain Magnifying Glass
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century chrome chain link handle magnifying glass.
Chrome
$1,022
H 31.5 in W 23.63 in D 1.19 in
Postmodern Smoked Wall Mirror with a Triple Chrome-Plated Metal Frame, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This mirror features a tripe chrome-plated metal frame and a smoked mirror. It might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considered as ...
Chrome, Metal
French Art Deco Amber Peach Bevelled Wall Mirror, 1930s
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning 1930s French Art Deco amber peach bevelled wall mirror. A very decorative piece will suit any room of the house. The back of the frame is made of oak and has the original chain. Each outer glass is bevelled around the edge which pulls lights...
Mirror
Art Deco Mirror
Located in New York, NY
This mirror has simple clean lines and a small tray beneath. Elegant yet practical, this mirror is perfect for maximizing a small space.
Mirror, Birch
On Hold|$240
H 1.58 in W 8.27 in D 5.52 in
Bauhaus Era Plateau Mirror Tray in Streamline Design, Germany 1930s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A small streamline mirror tray or plateau mirror. Originally used for vanity purposes, for jewelry or even for preparing opium during the 1930s. This particular version was made in G...
Aluminum
Art Deco French Wall Mirror, c1930s
Located in Devon, England
Original 1930's French Art Deco wall mirror with geometric and floral motif details. Lovely shape and design and typical colourway for these mirrors. The Mirror itself is in great co...
Mirror, Boxwood
$2,750 / set
H 36.62 in W 28.75 in D 1.26 in
Matching Pair of Midcentury Burr Walnut & Gold Plated Renato Zevi Wall Mirrors
By Renato Zevi
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale stunning pair of Mid-Century Modern Rento Zevi Burr Walnut with gold plating wall mirrors A very good looking highly decorative and collectable pair of mirrors. Zevi’s work has an almost cult like following, you will see a thousand different bookcases and coffee tables but a single wall mirror never comes up for sale and a pair is unheard of Each mirror has the original Renato Zevi label and one is additionally stamped made in Italy, the burr walnut frames...
Mirror, Burl
Bauhaus mirror in chrome-plated steel
Located in LYON, FR
Bauhaus mirror in chrome-plated steel With its bold geometric lines and chrome-plated metal frame, this wall mirror embodies the functional aesthetic of Bauhaus. The floating mirro...
Mirror
$2,406
H 31.5 in Dm 31.5 in
Fine 3D Glass Framed Art Deco Amber / Peach Glass Round Bevelled Wall Mirror
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine original circa 1920’s peach or amber bevelled glass Art Deco wall mirror with raised 3D glass border. ...
Glass
Art Deco Venetian Style Wall Mirror C. 1930 - 1950's
By André Marchand
Located in New York, NY
Glamorous High Style Art Deco, Hollywood Regency, Venetian style mirror in the manner of Marchand. This example features scalloped mirrored edging, and mirror trim which surrounds th...
Mirror
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Mirrors
Located in Essex, MA
Each crest with ostrich plume and pair of exotic birds flanked by two handled urns over a mirror plate with outer mirror bands, the base with leaf swag flanked by leaf pendants. Thes...
Giltwood
Pair of Mirror Sconces
Located in Seattle, WA
Pair of gilded French mirrors with decorative arms holding a single lamp each.
Mirror
Sold
H 33.47 in W 16.74 in D 20.08 in
Bauhaus Set of Original Chairs, Robert Slezak, Chrome, Steel, Czechia, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Bauhaus Set of Four Original Chairs Made By Robert Slezak. Maker: Robert Slezak Material: Lacquered Wood, Chrome-plated Steel Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 Ori...
Steel, Chrome