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.
Oak Writing Desk Made in 1930s Czechia by Robert Slezak, Bauhaus Style, Restored
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Manufactured by Robert Slezak factory, in the 1930s. Wood is completely restored. The original veneer is preserved. Tubular steel with ...
Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by Robert Slezák, Oak, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant writing desk is a premier example of Bauhaus functionalist design, dating back to 1930s Czechoslovakia. It was manufactured in the renowned Robert Slezák factory, one of...
Steel, Chrome
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
Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by R. Slezák, Chrome, Steel, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This writing desk is a fantastic example of interwar functionalism and Bauhaus style design from the 1930s. It was manufactured in Czechoslovakia by the renowned Robert Slezák compan...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by Robert Slezak, Walnut, Chrome, Czech, 1940s
By Robert Slezák, André Lurcat
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This desk was designed by French modernist architect André Lurcat Catalog model: PS 8 Professionally cleaned chrome and re-chromed New polish Dimensions of the desk: Height: 80 cm ...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Art Deco Writing Desk, by Robert Slezak, Oak, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk dimensions: Height: 77 cm (30.3 in) Width: 148 cm (58.3 in) Depth: 75.5 cm (29.7 in) Leg space: Height: 61 cm (24 in) Width: 62 cm (24.4 in) Made by Slezak Factories, a unique...
Steel, Chrome
Original Bauhaus Writing Desk with Chair, by R. Slezák, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Revived original varnish Professionally cleaned chrome Dimensions of the chair: Height: 84.5 cm (33.3 in) Width: 41 cm (16.1 in) Depth: 56 cm (22 in) Seat: 43 cm (16.9 in) Dimensio...
Steel, Chrome
late 1940s desk by Gio Ponti in walnut wood
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vigevano, PV
late 1940s desk by Gio Ponti in walnut wood and formica top. this desk was made for a house in milan, designed by gio ponti and emilio lancia.
Formica, Walnut
JMF Style Dark Cerused Oak Extendable Writing Desk
By (after) Jean Michel Frank
Located in Chicago, IL
Midcentury Modern dark cerused oak writing desk in the style of Jean-Michel Frank. The desk has three drawers with brass ring pulls, along with pull-out extensions on either side for...
Oak
Paolo Buffa 'Datillo' Writing Desk, Beech & Walnut, Italy, 1940
By Galdino Maspero, Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
A 'Datillo' petite writing desk / table by Paolo Buffa and produced by Galdino Maspero in stained beech wood and walnut. With two drawers on the left hand side underneath a rectangul...
Beech, Walnut
1950s Axel Einar Hjorth Style Oak Writing Desk
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century writing desk in solid oak, designed in the style of Swedish architect and designer Axel Einar Hjorth. The wide rectangular top features softly rounded edges/ On the left,...
Oak
Tubular Steel Functional Desk in Birch, Heteka Finland 1930s
By Heteka, Pauli Blomstedt
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful example of the functionalist period and tubular steel furniture. This writing desk is made by Heteka Finland and is most probably by the renowned Finnish Architect Pauli ...
Metal
Italian Art Desk desk in wood and steel, 1930s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Art Desk desk in wood and steel, 1930s Desk in briar wood. Under the rectangular top, there are a column of three rectangular drawers with round chromed steel handles and a l...
Metal
Chrome Bauhaus Dressing Table, 1930s
By Hynek Gottwald
Located in Praha, CZ
In very good original condition. Perfectly cleaned. Slight damage to the original mirror in the area.
Chrome
$1,974Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 45.28 in D 25.6 in
Postmodern Desk, Writing Table by Bohumil Landsman, 1970s, Fully Restored
By Bohumil Landsman
Located in Wrocław, Poland
Exquisitely crafted in the 1970s, this vintage desk showcases a harmonious blend of style and functionality. With its sleek and lightweight design, it exudes a timeless appeal that i...
Oak
Elegant French Art Deco Desk circa 1930s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant French Art Deco Desk, France, circa 1930s. Stylish tapered leg form with geometric inlaid design between the drawers. Two deep locking drawers provide ample storage and it re...
Metal
$4,936
H 27.56 in W 45.28 in D 17.72 in
Small Bauhaus Tubular Steel Desk, Oak Veneer and Chromium Plated Metal c 1930
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Berlin, DE
Small Bauhaus tubular steel desk, so-called 'typewriter desk', with 4 drawers. The desk is made of chromed tubular steel and oak-veneered wood. Germany/Czechoslovakia/Austria, circa ...
Chrome
Modernist Desk in Solid Wood 40s / 50s Bauhaus Style Vintage
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
French desk from the 40s / 50s in modernist Bauhaus style. Structure of the desk in veneered and solid Rio rosewood with a triple tubular base in chromed steel quite rare. The desk i...
Chrome
Art Deco Writing Desk with Fluted Legs, Circa 1940s, France
Located in Beirut, LB
This French Art Deco writing desk, dating from the 1940s, features a sophisticated D-shaped "floating" top that creates an elegant architectural niche above the central drawer and lo...
Wood
Sold
H 30.71 in W 54.34 in D 29.53 in
Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by Robert Slezák, Beech, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Dimensions: Height: 78 cm (30.7 in) Width: 138 cm (54.3 in) Depth: 75 cm (29.5 in) Space for legs: Height: 73 cm (28.7 in) Width: 83 cm (32.7 in) This elegant Bauhaus writing desk ...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 27.56 in W 45.28 in D 17.72 in
Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by Robert Slezák, Oak, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Bauhaus writing desk originates from Czechoslovakia from the 1930s. It is an authentic piece from the renowned manufacturer Robert Slezák, as evidenced by its preserved ...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 29.93 in W 59.06 in D 29.53 in
Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by Robert Slezák, Walnut, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Dimensions of the table: Height: 76 cm (29.9 in) Width: 150 cm (59.1 in) Depth: 75 cm (29.5 in) Leg space: Height: 71 cm (28 in) Width: 57 cm (22.4 in) Luxurious desk design in Cau...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 29.14 in W 57.09 in D 28.35 in
Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by Robert Slezak, Beech, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Dimensions of the table: Height: 74 cm (29.1 in) Width: 145 cm (57.1 in) Depth: 72 cm (28.3 in) Leg space: Height: 69 cm (27.2 in) Width: 72.5 cm (28.5 in) This table was designed ...
Chrome, Steel
Sold
H 30.32 in W 57.49 in D 29.93 in
Bauhaus Restored Beech Writing Desk Made in 1930s by Robert Slezak, Czechia
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Completely restored writing desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Designed by Robert Slezak in the 1930s. Material: beech, chrome-plated steel. Wood is completely restored. New polish and professionally cleaned chrome. 8 drawers and locks are fully functional. Tubular steel with original chrome plating...
Chrome
Sold
H 30.71 in W 53.15 in D 30.32 in
Bauhaus Beech Writing Desk Made in 1930s by Robert Slezak, Czechia, Restored
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored writing desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Designed by Robert Slezak in the 1930s. Material: Beech, chrome-plated steel. Number of drawers: 3. Wood is completely restored. Tubular steel with original chrome plating...
Chrome
Sold
H 26.97 in W 37.41 in D 17.72 in
Bauhaus Restored Oak Writing Desk Made in 1930s by Robert Slezak, Czechia
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored writing desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Designed by Robert Slezak in the 1930s. Material: Oak, chrome-plated steel. Wood is completely restored. Tubular steel with original chrome plating...
Chrome
Sold
H 30.71 in W 47.25 in D 27.56 in
White Bauhaus Writing Desk Made in 1930s Germany 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
Sold
H 30.71 in W 47.25 in D 27.56 in
Czech White Beech Bauhaus Chrome Tubular Writing Desk by Robert Slezak, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Manufactured by Robert Slezak factory, in the 1930s. Wood is completely restored. The original veneer is preserved. Tubular steel with ...
Chrome
Sold
H 26.78 in W 37.41 in D 16.93 in
Oak Writing Desk Made in 1930s Czechia by Robert Slezak, Bauhaus Style, Restored
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Manufactured by Robert Slezak factory, in the 1930s. Wood is completely restored. The original veneer is preserved. Tubular steel with ...
Chrome
Sold
H 31.5 in W 59.45 in D 29.53 in
Czech Mahogany Bauhaus Chrome Tubular Writing Desk by Robert Slezak, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Manufactured by Robert Slezak factory, in the 1930s. Wood is completely restored. The original veneer is preserved. Tubular steel with ...
Chrome
Sold
H 30.71 in W 47.25 in D 27.56 in
Czech White Beech Bauhaus Chrome Tubular Writing Desk by Robert Slezak, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Manufactured by Robert Slezak factory, in the 1930s. Wood is completely restored. The original veneer is preserved. Tubular steel with ...
Chrome