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.
Chromed Coffee Table by Robert Slezák, 1940s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Praha, CZ
The item is from combination chrome and wood. Chrome is in original condition. Wooden surfaces of the table is painted with polyurethane hardened varnish in high gloss. Manufacture i...
Chrome
Bauhaus tubular steel Chrome Table model R12 by Robert Slezak - 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s, Czechoslovakia - good original condition - original colour - mentioned in catalogues jr
Chrome
Bauhaus Tubular Steel Console Table by Robert Slezák, 1930s
By Slezak Company, Robert Slezák
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
A distinctive example of Bauhaus design from the 1930s, this tubular steel console table was produced by Robert Slezák in former Czechoslov...
Steel, Chrome
Bauhaus tubular steel serving cart by Robert Slezák, 1930s
By Kovona, Robert Slezák
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
This Bauhaus-style serving cart was originally designed by Robert Slezák in the 1930s and later manufactured by Kovona, a nationalized Czechoslovak company that consolidated leading ...
Steel, Chrome
$547Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury Chrome Coffee Table by Robert Slezák, 1940s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Praha, CZ
The item made of combination chrome steel and wooden shelf in black varnish. Chrome is in original condition. The shelf’s are refurbished, painted hard polyurethane varnish in high s...
Steel
Unavailable|$1,217
H 26.78 in W 23.63 in D 13.78 in
Small Czech Restored Black Chrome Bauhaus Table, R19, Robert Slezák, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Small Czech chrome Bauhaus table. Material: Chrome-plated steel and Oak Period: 1930-1939 Source: Czechia.
Chrome
Unavailable|$3,304
H 30.71 in W 47.25 in D 27.56 in
White Bauhaus Writing Desk Made in 1930s Czechia by Robert Slezak, Restored
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Designed by renowned Czech designer Robert Slezak and made by Slezak Factories, a unique Czech furniture brand specialising on chrome and bent metal furniture. It has been re-pol...
Steel, Chrome
Unavailable|$1,971 / set
H 24.02 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Restored Bauhaus Bedside Tables, by R. Slezák, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This pair of bedside tables from the early 20th century is an outstanding example of Bauhaus functionalist design. Manufactured in Czechoslovakia, they seamlessly combine elegant chr...
Steel, Chrome
Paolo Buffa Wood Coffee Table, Italy 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Paolo Buffa side table, Italy 1940s.
Wood
French Brutalist coffee table, 1940s, France
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
"The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding." — Leonardo da Vinci. A raw expression of Brutalist design, this French coffee table is sculpted from weathered oak and terracot...
Wrought Iron
Midcentury Italian Design Coffee Table, 1940s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury Italian design coffee table, 1940s.
Glass, Wood
Thonet Bauhaus Style Tubular Trolley or Bar Cart 1980s
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Tilburg, NL
Thonet Bauhaus Style Tubular Trolley or Bar Cart 1980s. Wonderful and rare Bauhaus style trolley or bar cart in the style of Thonet. Very well designe...
Chrome
$886Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.73 in W 29.93 in D 15.95 in
Nickel-Plated Brass Art Deco Serving Trolley, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning Art Deco serving trolley. Striking Dutch design from the 1930s. Nickel-plated brass with glass top and bottom. In original good co...
Nickel
$1,520Sale Price|56% Off
H 30 in W 34 in D 18.5 in
Mid-Century Italian Tubular Brass Bar Serving Cart by Morex
By Morex
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Exceptional three-tier rolling bar service cart by Italian maker Morex. Smoke glass shelving contrast on sculpted brass tube frame make this a st...
Brass
Modernist Tubular Steel Console Table, Germany, circa 1930
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist chrome-plated tubular steel console table, Germany, circa 1930.
Metal, Chrome
1930s Lacquered Bar Console Table in the Style of Marcel Breuer
By Marcel Breuer
Located in New York, NY
Original 1930s black lacquered table with tubular metal legs in the style of Marcel Breuer. Has a variety of uses, console, bar, small desk or vanity.
Aluminum
Swedish Modern coffee table / side table, 1940s
By Carl-Erik Johansson
Located in Stockholm, SE
This exquisite Swedish coffee table from the 1940s is a true masterpiece of mid-century design, combining elegance with innovative craftsmanship. The table features a raw glass top, ...
Metal
Bauhaus Round Table in Walnut by Robert Slezak, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Żory, PL
This round Bauhaus style table was designed by Robert Slezak and produced in the 1930s. The walnut top has been restored and is lacquered in a satin finish. The chrome-plated frame i...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 27.96 in W 41.34 in D 20.08 in
Bauhaus Oak Bar or Serving Cart by Robert Slezák for Kovona, 1940s
By Kovona, Robert Slezák
Located in Prague, New Town
Bauhaus wooden bar or serving cart designed by Robert Slezák for Kovona in Czechoslovakia, 1940s. Date of manufacture: 1940s Origin: Czechoslovakia Mat...
Steel, Chrome
Bauhaus Dining Set By Robert Slezák in Chrome and Oak, 1930s
By Robert Slezák, Slezak Company
Located in Prague, New Town
Rare Bauhaus dining set in chrome-plated steel and oak designed by Robert Slezák for Slezákovy závody in Czechoslovakia, 1930s. The set includes a very rare folding dining table mad...
Steel, Chrome
Bauhaus Tubular Steel Console Table by Robert Slezák
By Robert Slezák, Slezak Company
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Manufactured by Slezák company in former Czechoslovakia during 1930's. In good original condition with some traces of wear on the lacquere. Chrome very well preserved with only minor...
Steel
Sold
H 31.5 in W 47.25 in D 33.47 in
Bauhaus Oak and Chrome Folding Dining Table by Robert Slezák, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Prague, New Town
Rare Bauhaus oak and chrome-plated steel folding dining table, model ST1, designed by Robert Slezák for Slezákovy závody in Czechoslovakia, 1930s. This rare table is made from oak a...
Chrome, Steel
Coffee Table by Robert Slezák, 1940s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Praha, CZ
The item is from combination chrome and wood. Chrome is in original condition. Wooden surfaces of the table is painted with polyurethane hardened varnish in high gloss. Manufature in...
Chrome
Czech Serving Trolley from Slezak, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Wien, AT
This bar or serving cart was designed and made by the Czech company Slezak and features original chrome plating with a little patina. The wooden panels have been restored.
Chrome