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.
Walnut Bauhaus Sideboard by Robert Slezak, Chrome-Plated Steel, Czechia, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Walnut Bauhaus sideboard by Robert Slezak. Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 Material: Chrome-Plated Steel, Walnut, Glass Number of drawers: 3 Revived poli...
Steel, Chrome
$529Sale Price|23% Off
H 24.02 in W 45.28 in D 10.24 in
Bauhaus Chrome-Plated Tubular Steel Étagère / Flower Stand, 1930s
Located in Lucenec, SK
Chrome-plated tubular steel étagère made in the 1930s with glass shelves. Chrome plating is in original condition.
Steel, Chrome
Art Deco Walnut Sideboard, Czechoslovakia, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
Exceptional Art Deco sideboard produced in Czechoslovakia in the 1930s. Crafted from walnut wood and veneer, this piece showcases an outstanding symmetrical grain pattern across its ...
Wood, Walnut
Art Deco Walnut Sideboard, France, 1930s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
French Art Deco Sideboard, Walnut with Mirrored Vitrine Door, 1930s. This Art Deco sideboard is built in walnut with richly figured book-matched veneers across the doors and top. Th...
Walnut
Small Swedish oak Jugendstil sideboard, 1930s.
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
1930s Swedish Jugendstil cabinet crafted from solid oak. The piece features two drawers above a double-door cupboard, raised on elegantly tapered legs. The doors are decorated with h...
Oak
French Art Deco Sideboard, Mahogany with Chrome Handles, 1930s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
French Art Deco Sideboard, Mahogany with Chrome Handles, 1930s. This two-door sideboard is built in mahogany with rich veneer surfaces and a warm polished finish. The architectural s...
Chrome
Scandinavian Modern sideboard by Otto Schulz, Sweden, 1930s
By Otto Schulz, Boet
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant functionalist sideboard by Otto Schulz, with bold lines and contrasting birch and darker colored wood. Large round drawer handles with decorative ...
Birch
Art Deco Italian Parchment Sideboard, 1930s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Art Deco Italian parchment sideboard, 1930s.
Parchment Paper
$3,500
H 27.96 in W 27.56 in D 18.51 in
Contemporary Tubular Steel Sideboard Czech Functionalism Bauhaus
Located in Wien, AT
This sideboard with a construction of polished stainless steel and oak veneered plywood is made to order by Tschechisches Wohndesign. Delivery time if not in stock 4-6 weeks. 1 piec...
Stainless Steel
Bauhaus Sideboard by Wk Möbel
By WK Möbel
Located in Neuss, NW
Unique sideboard from the 1960s in Scandinavian design. High-quality corpus in teak veneer with four drawers, two doors, one shelf and new stainless steel feet in Bauhaus design. Qu...
Stainless Steel
Mahogany Sideboard, 1930s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Sideboard in mahogany ebonized profiles, with niche in mosaic mirror for sculpture, black crystal top, brass handles. Shelves are missing. The wooden crate is recommended for transpo...
Brass
1930s Ole Wanscher Oak Sideboard Cabinet
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Oakland, CA
Ole Wanscher cabinet with tambour doors and series of drawers crafted of oak with mitered edges, dovetail joinery with traditional brass pulls. The tambour doors open to reveal an in...
Oak
$4,471
H 65.75 in W 64.97 in D 19.69 in
Bauhaus Modernist Office Cabinet / Sideboard, R. Slezák, Czechoslovakia, 1930s
By Slezak Company
Located in Żory, PL
Original office storage cabinet (model SK 19) made in Czechoslovakia in the 1930s by the Robert Slezák factories. A clean, modernist form with balanced proportions, warm wood veneer...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 24.02 in W 15.36 in D 14.97 in
Art Deco Chrome and Tubular Steel Sideboards from Slezak, Set of 2
By Robert Slezák
Located in Wien, AT
This tubular steel sideboards was produced by Slezak in former Czechoslovakia in the 1930th. Old paint in good condition. Steel tube with original chrome plating and patina. Fully cl...
Steel, Chrome