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.
Art Deco-Streamline 3-Door Wardrobe, Chrome-Plated Metal, Walnut Veneer, c 1935
By Hana Kucerova-Zaveska, Robert Slezák
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco- streamline 3-door wardrobe designed by Arch. Hana Kucerová-Záveská (Czech, 1904–1944) and manufactured by Robert Slezák Company, circa 1935. The outstanding form of this wa...
Metal, Chrome
Art Deco Walnut Compact Wardrobe, 1930s
Located in South Shields, GB
A vintage Oak Art Deco compactum / compact wardrobe circa 1930's Inside is fitted out with a pull out hanging rail and shelves
Wood, Walnut
Art Deco Walnut Compact Wardrobe, 1930s
Located in South Shields, GB
An elegant English Art Deco two-door wardrobe crafted in richly figured walnut, dating from the early to mid 1930s. The piece features a refined gently bowed front with striking book...
Wood, Walnut
$10,296
H 71.66 in W 37.8 in D 18.51 in
1860s Austrian Biedermeier Wardrobe Cupboard in Walnut, Polished to Wax
By Vienna School of Arts and Crafts
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant 1860s Biedermeier wardrobe cupboard in walnut with hand-carved parts. Recovered in Villach, in the beautiful Alpine region of Austria, a tourist area full of lakes. Restored...
Walnut
$10,229
H 77.96 in W 102.37 in D 23.63 in
1930s Venetian Baroque Wardrobe, by Testolini Freres in Walnut decored and Briar
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Precious 1930s Venetian Baroque cupboard wardrobe, by Testolini Freres Venice, in hand-carved walnut yellow decored and burl walnut, with central mirror . Interior upholstered in ora...
Velvet, Mirror, Burl, Walnut
BEAUTIFUL ART DECO BLONDE WALNUT DOUBLE DOOR WARDROBE ARMOiRE
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London We are delighted to offer for sale this Beautiful Art Deco Blonde Walnut Two Door Wardrobe. A very good quality piece of furniture, designed in blonde walnut...
Walnut
$4,489
H 71.26 in W 35.63 in D 15.36 in
19th Catalan Spanish Baroque Carved Walnut Tuscan Two Doors Wardrobe or Cabinet
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing a remarkable 19th-century Catalan Spanish Baroque wardrobe, skillfully hand-carved from solid walnut and featuring Tuscan-inspired ...
Iron
$12,331
H 70.08 in W 64.18 in D 21.26 in
French Cubistic Art Déco Cupboard Oak Cérusé, Amber Colored Mirror Glass, 1940s
Located in Salzburg, AT
French Cubistic Art Déco Cupboard Oak Cérusé, Amber Colored Mirror Glass, 1940s Extraordinary, cubistic shaped French Art Déco cabinet in solid chene ceruse with six different sujets in amber mirror glass door panels. Very deep engraving of the glass panels executed in a high-level individual workmanship. Size of one glass panel: 34 cm x 26 cm + wooden frame 2 cm The 2 doors are set as if in a frame, the body stands on a pedestal. Therefore, the object appears light-footed despite the solid construction. The front side of the strong wooden feet is decorated by ropes. The surface was waxed again and has a pleasant soft touch. The color of the object corresponds to a natural sand tone and combines perfectly with the amber mirror glass. The large brass key...
Glass, Oak
$2,427
H 75.6 in W 38.19 in D 22.84 in
ART DECO 1920'S QUEEN ANNE ENGLiSH BURR WALNUT TWO DOOR WARDROBE
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London This elegant 1920s English wardrobe combines the clean sophistication of the Art Deco period with the graceful influence of Queen Anne design. Crafted in beauti...
Walnut
Stunning Art Deco 4 door Wardrobe (flatpack)
Located in Barnstaple, GB
Here we have a truly exceptional example of an Art Deco 4 door wardrobe in breathtaking Bubinga waterfall Veneers, fabulous markings to the front and s...
Bubinga
$3,447
H 79.14 in W 40.16 in D 24.02 in
VICTORIAN QUEEN ANNE ENGLiSH ART DECO BURR WALNUT TWO DOOR WARDROBE
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London A distinctive two-door wardrobe blending the graceful curves of Queen Anne influence with the sleek lines and rich surfaces of English Art Deco design. This tra...
Walnut
$17,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 109.45 in W 113.39 in D 24.81 in
Luciano Frigerio Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass and Walnut Wardrobe, 1970s
By Luciano Frigerio
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Designed by Luciano Frigerio, wardrobe with eleven doors in brass and walnut wood, Macassar ebony is a precious essence that is widely used in cabinet making, fine carpentry, turning...
Brass
$20,000
H 91.25 in W 60.5 in D 24 in
French Provincial Walnut Hinged Blind Door Armoire w/ Cabriole Legs, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
French Provincial Walnut hinged blind door armoire with decorative scrolled foliage and shell carvings, original flanking polished steel hinges, original central decorative brass esc...
Brass, Steel
Sold
H 70.48 in W 47.64 in D 22.05 in
Art Deco-Streamline 2-Door Wardrobe, Chrome-Plated Metal, Walnut Veneer, c. 1935
By Hana Kucerova-Zaveska, Robert Slezák
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco- streamline 2-door wardrobe designed by Arch. Hana Kucerová-Záveská (Czech, 1904–1944) and manufactured by Robert Slezák Company, circa 1935. The outstanding form of this wa...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 70.48 in W 47.64 in D 22.05 in
Art Deco-Streamline 2-Door Wardrobe, Chrome-Plated Metal, Walnut Veneer, c 1935
By Hana Kucerova-Zaveska, Robert Slezák
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco- streamline 2-door wardrobe designed by Arch. Hana Kucerová-Záveská (Czech, 1904–1944) and manufactured by Robert Slezák Company, circa 1935. The outstanding form of this wa...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 63.39 in W 61.42 in D 17.72 in
Bauhaus Tubular Steel Cupboard Cabinet with Secretary Desk by R. Slezak, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Żory, PL
This Bauhaus style cupboard in oak and walnut, was produced in the 1930s by Robert Slezak. The cabinet is multifunctional, divided into 5 parts. There are 4 drawers, 3 shelves, 2 di...
Oak, Walnut
Sold
H 70.48 in W 63 in D 22.05 in
Art Deco-Streamline 3-Door Wardrobe, Chrome-Plated Metal, Walnut Veneer, c 1935
By Hana Kucerova-Zaveska, Robert Slezák
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco- streamline 3-door wardrobe designed by Arch. Hana Kucerová-Záveská (Czech, 1904–1944) and manufactured by Robert Slezák Company, circa 1935. The outstanding form of this wa...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 70.48 in W 47.64 in D 22.05 in
Art Deco-Streamline 2-Door Wardrobe, Chrome-Plated Metal, Walnut Veneer, c 1935
By Hana Kucerova-Zaveska, Robert Slezák
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco- streamline 2-door wardrobe designed by Arch. Hana Kucerová-Záveská (Czech, 1904–1944) and manufactured by Robert Slezák Company, circa 1935. The outstanding form of this wa...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 70.48 in W 47.64 in D 25.79 in
Art Deco-Streamline 2-Door Wardrobe, Chrome-Plated Metal, Walnut Veneer
By Hana Kucerova-Zaveska, Robert Slezák
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco- Streamline 2-door wardrobe designed by Arch. Hana Kucerová-Záveská (Czech, 1904–1944) and manufactured by Robert Slezák Company, circa 1935. The outstanding form of this wa...
Metal, Chrome