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.
Modernist Cabinet Made Of Chrome Plated Metal And Walnut Veneer, c. 1930
By Robert Slezák
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist Cabinet made of chrome plated metal and walnut veneer. Designed and manufactured by Robert Slezak, c. 1930. Restored on request. Delivery time c. 12-15 weeks.
Metal, Chrome
Pair of Bauhaus Bedside Cabinets by Robert Slezák, Reseda Green, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Berlin, DE
Original pair of bedside cabinets manufactured by Robert Slezák in the 1930s. Their combination of chromed tubular steel and reseda-green lacquered wooden cabinets is a characteristi...
Steel
1930s French Mahogany Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning mahogany cabinet from France, 1930s. Beautiful carved wood cabinet with bookmatch detail. Two doors open to original adjustable shelving with one drawer for additional stora...
Wood
$1,301Sale Price|20% Off
H 49.22 in W 37.8 in D 13 in
Mid-Century Modern Cabinet, Walnut Veneer, Italian Design, 1950
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage storage cabinet with interior shelves, shutter openings made of wood with walnut veneers and top with black formica.
Walnut
$3,485
H 18.71 in W 31.3 in D 17.72 in
Belgian Art Deco Cabinet in Burl Veneer with Marble and Glass, circa 1930
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Belgium / 1930 / Cabinet / Burl veneer, marble and glass / Art Deco A sophisticated embodiment of Belgian Art Deco design, this cabinet from circa 1930 showcases the era’s signature...
Marble
Art Deco Display Cabinet c.1930s
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
An elegant and compact Art Deco display cabinet dating to the 1930s. Crafted in richly grained Indian rosewood with a deep, warm tone and softly rounded corners, this piece offers bo...
Rosewood
Bauhaus Kitchen Wall Cabinet with Glass Bar 1930s
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
This small wall cabinet is a kitchen cabinet from the early 1930s. The cream white softwood wall cabinet features a spacious interior with two bakel...
Metal
$4,763
H 70.87 in W 63 in D 21.66 in
Restored Bauhaus Wardrobe, by Slezak, Chromed Steel, Walnut, Czech, 1930s
By Slezak Company
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This three-door knockdown wardrobe is a unique testament to 1930s Czechoslovak Modernism, merging top-tier cabinetry with the industrial aesthetics of the Bauhaus school. The furnitu...
Steel, Chrome
Marquetry Cabinet by Reiners, Sweden, 1930s
By Reiners Möbler
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
An unusual cabinet made by Reiners in Sweden in the 1930s. Designer unknown. Made in mahogany and beech, with exceptional marquetry depicting Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, sur...
Beech, Mahogany
1930s Art Déco Display Cabinet
Located in Neuss, NW
Unique Art Deco display cabinet from the 1930s with an open bookshelf from the 1960s. The balanced design features two closed wooden doors at the bottom, a transparent display area a...
Glass, Walnut
1930s Art Deco Mirror Walnut Cabinet, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Item has been carefully refurbished - The mirror dimensions are: height: 125cm, width: 60cm, depth: 6cm - Quality craftsmanship work.
Mirror, Wood, Walnut
$5,228
H 33.47 in W 48.82 in D 16.54 in
Art Deco Bar Cabinet in Walnut Feather and Chinoiserie Lacquer, 1930s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Art deco bar cabinet in walnut, the grissinato or thousand striped base supports the body of the cabinet rounded at the sides, in the center a splendid walnut root with carved handle...
Walnut, Lacquer
Art Deco Walnut Display Cabinet circa 1930s
By Harry & Lou Epstein Furniture Co
Located in Dereham, GB
Art Deco Walnut Display Cabinet circa 1930s Stepped shaped top, Glazed Centre door with working lock & key, Open to Reveal: Mirror back , 3 plate glass adjustable shelves Pair pane...
Walnut
$10,252
H 39.38 in W 42.92 in D 13 in
French Two-Door Walnut Cabinet, Carved Doors and Twist Columns, 1930s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Art Deco workshop, two-door cabinet, solid walnut, France, 1930s. This two-door cabinet is built entirely in solid walnut and assembled in the traditional manner, without scr...
Walnut
Sold
H 27.56 in W 31.89 in D 16.15 in
Restored Bauhaus Cabinet, by Robert Slezák, Chrome Plated Steel, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant cabinet from the early 20th century was crafted by the renowned Czechoslovak manufacturer Robert Slezák. Its original chrome steel frame has been professionally cleaned ...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 59.06 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Restored Bauhaus Cabinet, by Robert Slezák, H. J. Hagemann, Beech, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák, Hermann John Hagemann
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Made by Slezak Factories, a unique Czech furniture brand specialising on chrome and bent metal furniture The mahogany veneer on the door is folded into a tree pattern. The cabinet ...
Steel, Chrome
Small Black Slezak Cabinet Made in 1930s Czechia
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Designed by renowned Czech designer Robert Slezak. A trained locksmith originally from Bystrice pod Hostýnem, he founded a small locksmith's workshop in his hometown in 1908 for comm...
Steel, Chrome
Modernist Two-Door Cabinet, circa 1930
By Robert Slezák
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist two-door cabinet by Robert Slezak, Czechoslovakia, circa 1930.
Metal, Chrome