As the founder of the Bauhaus — the German art and design school that was one of the chief crucibles of modernism — Walter Gropius had a central and enduring impact on the architecture and design of the 20th century and beyond. Along with fellow Bauhaus principals such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, Gropius championed a philosophy of design focused on simplicity, efficiency and the inherent beauty of steel, glass and other industrial materials.
Born in Berlin, Gropius followed in his architect father’s footsteps and after completing his studies was employed by the brilliant proto-modernist designer Peter Behrens. Gropius’s early architectural work demonstrated many of the aspects that define the modernist aesthetic: ribbon windows, an emphasis on light and minimal decoration. Gropius became known primarily as a great organizer, writer and teacher. After military service in World War I, he developed concepts of what are now called the applied arts — a marriage of creative imagination with practical skill and technology. These notions drove Gropius’s founding of the Bauhaus in 1919. The school would welcome many of the great creators of the 20th century, including Paul Klee, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy and Josef Albers. After the independent-minded college fell afoul of the Nazi regime in the 1930s, Gropius immigrated to the United States, and finished out his years on the Harvard faculty.
Gropius produced far fewer furniture designs than his fellows on the Bauhaus faculty, but what he did make has a purity of form and spirit. As you will see from the works offered on 1stDibs, Walter Gropius never compromised his vision of design that encompassed beauty, creativity and the highest level of technical skill.
Bauhaus 1919-1928 (1st Edition)
By MOMA Museum New York, Walter Gropius, Herbert Bayer
Located in New York, NY
First edition of the iconic monograph published in conjunction with an exhibition organized by Philip Johnson and held in 1938 at the Museum of Modern Art New York marking the tenth ...
Paper
$7,600 / set
Walter Gropius, Armchairs, Oak, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Gropius
Located in High Point, NC
A set of four stained oak armchairs or dining room chairs designed by Walter Gropius and produced by Thonet, Austria, c. 1950s. Dramatic patina. Natural wood cracking and weathering...
Oak
Set of Six Dining Chairs by Walter Gropius and Ben Thompson for Thonet
By Ben Thompson, Thonet, Walter Gropius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of six W199 dining armchairs by Walter Gropius and Ben Thompson for Thonet, c.1950's, Austria. The chairs showcase a bent birch wood frame and legs. The seats have been newly uph...
Upholstery, Birch
1951 W199 Dining Armchair by Walter Gropius and Ben Thompson for Thonet in Birch
By Ben Thompson, Thonet, Walter Gropius
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a W199 Dining Armchair, originally designed by Walter Gropius and Ben Thompson for Thonet in 1951. The chair was produced in Austria in the early 1950s. The design features b...
Birch, Nutwood
The New Architecture and the Bauhaus
By Walter Gropius
Located in New York, NY
Third edition of this landmark architectural text by the founder of the Bauhaus, based on lectures delivered in London in 1934 following the school’s closure in Germany. This edition...
Paper
German Model D51 Fagus Armchair with Bauhaus Pattern Cushion
By Walter Gropius
Located in Hamburg, DE
D51 fagus armrest chairs from the renowned manufacturer tecta based on a design by walter gropius from the 1920s. Here in the rare version with black and white striped upholstery wit...
Wood
Model D51 Bauhaus Chair Upholstered in Hermès Fabric by Walter Gropius for Tecta
By Walter Gropius
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Model D51 Bauhaus Chair Upholstered in Hermès Fabric by Walter Gropius for Tecta Designer Walter Gropius (05.1883- 07.1969) Brand Tecta, Germany Era 1920’s Production date 1980s ...
Fabric, Wood
1990s Pair of Walter Gropius F51 Lounge Arm Chairs by Tecta in Black Leather
By Walter Gropius
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of F51 Lounge Arm Chairs, originally designed by Walter Gropius in 1920. These particular examples were produced by Tecta in Germany in the 1990s. The design is an ico...
Foam, Wood, Leather
1951 Set of Four W199 Dining Arm Chairs by Walter Gropius and Ben Thompson
By Thonet, Ben Thompson, Walter Gropius
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an outstanding set of 4 W199 Birch Armchairs, designed by Walter Gropius and Ben Thompson for Gebruder Thonet in 1951. They were produced in Austria in the early 1950s and th...
Steel
D51 Fagus chair with armrests by Walter Gropius, manufactured by Tecta in 1920
By Walter Gropius
Located in Ravenna, IT
D51 Fagus arm chair designed by Walter Gropius and manufactured by Tecta in Germany in 1920. This painted ash wood seat fully reflects the German style of those years. Walter Gropius...
Fabric, Wood, Harewood
1951 Set of 4 Bauhaus W199 Arm Chairs by Walter Gropius and Ben Thompson
By Walter Gropius, Ben Thompson, Thonet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an outstanding set of 4 W199 Birch Armchairs, designed by Walter Gropius and Ben Thompson for Thonet in 1951. They were produced in Austria in the early 1950s and the listed ...
Birch
Set of 2 German Model D51 Fagus Armchair with Bauhaus Pattern Cushion, 1920s
By Walter Gropius
Located in Hamburg, DE
D51 fagus armrest chairs from the renowned manufacturer tecta based on a design by walter gropius from the 1920s. Here in the rare version with black and white striped upholstery wit...
Wood
Walter Gropius, Armchairs, Oak, Velvet, USA, 1970s
By Thonet, Walter Gropius
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of oak and purple velvet armchairs designed by Walter Gropius in 1951, produced by Thonet, Statesville, North Carolina, USA, c. 1970s. Dimensions: 29.5” H x 24” W x 19” D Se...
Velvet, Oak
Walter Gropius, Armchairs, Oak, Velvet, USA, 1970s
By Walter Gropius, Thonet
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of oak and purple velvet armchairs designed by Walter Gropius in 1951, produced by Thonet, Statesville, North Carolina, USA, c. 1970s. Dimensions: 29.5” H x 24” W x 19” D Se...
Velvet, Oak
Walter Gropius, Armchairs, Oak, Velvet, USA, 1970s
By Thonet, Walter Gropius
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of oak and purple velvet armchairs designed by Walter Gropius in 1951, produced by Thonet, Statesville, North Carolina, USA, c. 1970s. Seats reupholstered in brand new velvet...
Velvet, Oak
New Orleans Architecture Vol. VII Jefferson City, First Edition
By Dorothy G. Schlesinger
Located in valatie, NY
New Orleans architecture vol. VII Jefferson City. Gretna: Pelican publishing company. First edition hardcover with dust jacket, 1989. 192 pp. ...
Paper
Paco Rabanne – 1st Edition 1996
Located in CA, CA
First edition hard cover, published by Éditions Michel Lafon, 1996. Paco Rabanne, a feeling for research. An impressive monograph covering the daring and experimental work of desi...
Paper
$2,516Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 31.5 in W 24.41 in D 29.93 in
Roger Landault French Oak Compass Armchairs Wool Bouclé, 1950s
By Roger Landault
Located in Paris, IDF
These elegant compass armchairs are sure to add an element of modernism chic to any room in your home. Designed by Roger Landault in the late 1950s, w...
Oak
Architectural Digest The Most Beautiful Rooms in the World
By Rizzoli International Publications
Located in New York, NY
An unrivaled survey of the most exciting contemporary interior design across the globe, curated by the editors of ten international editions of Architectural Digest. Since 1920, Architectural Digest has celebrated design talents, innovative homes, and products--providing endless decoration, lifestyle, and travel inspiration. With ten global editions, the magazine is an authority renowned all-over the world for publishing only the very best of today's interior design. In this new volume--spearheaded by AD France's editor in chief, Marie Kalt...
Paper
Set of Ten Dining Chairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of ten armchairs designed by Anton Lorenz for Thonet. Each chair has tan upholstered backrest and seat with polished chrome tubular frames. Mid-Century Modern S-37 chairs were originally designed by Anton Lorenz in 1929 and later manufactured by Gebruder Thonet in the 1970s. In 1929 Anton Lorenz founded the firm Desta (Deutsche Stahlmobel) in Berlin making Anton Lorenz the first to manufacture tubular-steel furniture on a commercial scale.
Chrome
Set of Six W2 Dining Chairs by Hans Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of six W2 chairs designed in 1953 by Hans Wegner for C. M. Madsen, Denmark. Solid teak wood and new upholstery with tan leather.
Leather, Teak
Pair of French Oak Armchairs, France, 1950s
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
This refined pair of French armchairs from the 1950s showcases the understated elegance of mid-century design. Crafted from solid oak, the chairs feature beautifully sculpted armrest...
Straw, Oak
Secession armchairs no.6093 by Otto Wagner for Thonet
By Thonet, Otto Wagner
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession bentwood armchairs no.6093 by Otto Wagner for Thonet. Armchairs were restored in the past, needs to be need firming up, they are a bit...
Beech, Bentwood
$3,475 / set
H 30.71 in W 22.05 in D 22.84 in
Set of Armchairs Designed by Thonet and Manufactured by Ligna in the 1950s
By Ligna, Thonet
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Remarkable set of armchairs, designed by Thonet and expertly manufactured by Ligna in the 1950s. Combining Thonet's visionary design aesthetic with Ligna's craftsmanship, these armch...
Rattan, Bentwood
$1,572Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32.68 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Josef Hoffmann Armchair – Model No. A 811/F for Thonet
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Budapest, HU
Josef Hoffmann Armchair – Model No. A 811/F for Thonet (1900s) This exquisite armchair, Model No. A 811/F, designed by the renowned architect and designer Josef Hoffmann for Thonet ...
Reed, Beech
Les Déjeuners - Picasso, 1st French edition, 1962
By Pablo Picasso
Located in CA, CA
Les Déjeuners - Picasso, 1st French edition, 1962 Published by Éditions Circle D’art Paris, 1962 A beautiful copy of Picasso’s seminal book Les Déjeuners complete with fine cloth s...
Paper
Antique Armchair No. 752 by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1920s
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Praha, CZ
This antique armchair, model no. 752, was designed in the 1920s by Josef Frank for Thonet and originates from Austria. It is made from beech and features an upholstery seat. This pie...
Upholstery, Beech, Bentwood
Sold
H 30 in W 23 in D 22 in
Set of 6 Mid-Century Modern W199 Bent-Wood Chairs by Walter Gropius for Thonet
By Walter Gropius, Thonet
Located in Lafayette, IN
Spectacular set of 6 "W199" bentwood armchairs designed by Bauhaus co-founder Walter Gropius. Set features (2) "captains chairs" with arms and (4) of the even-more-rare arm-less chai...
Wood, Plywood
Walter Gropius, Armchair, Birch, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Gropius
Located in High Point, NC
A birch armchairs designed by Walter Gropius and produced by Thonet, Austria, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 29.25"H x 23.25"W x 20.25"D Seat Height (inches): 17.5" Arm He...
Birch
Sold
H 30 in W 23 in D 22 in
Set of 8 Mid-Century Modern W199 Bent-Wood Chairs by Walter Gropius for Thonet
By Walter Gropius, Thonet
Located in Lafayette, IN
Spectacular set of 8 "W199" bentwood armchairs designed by Bauhaus co-founder Walter Gropius. Set features (2) "captains chairs" with arms and (6) of the even-more-rare arm-less chai...
Wood, Plywood
Walter Gropius Armchairs for Thonet Set of Eight 1951
By Thonet, Walter Gropius
Located in Chicago, IL
Walter Gropius Armchairs for Thonet Set of Eight 1951, Model W199 Austria 1951, Solid Oak Restored and repainted with black lacquer. dimensions: 29½ h × 23 w × 20 d in Seat Height: 17"
Oak
Walter Gropius, Armchairs, Birch, Austria, 1950s
By Thonet, Walter Gropius
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of birch armchairs designed by Walter Gropius and produced by Thonet, Austria, c. 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 17.5" Arm Height (inches): 26" All items ship from High Point...
Birch
Sold
H 18.9 in Dm 17.33 in
Luterma Venesta Isokon Stools / Tables / Trays - Model No 1 Walter Gropius 1930s
By Isokon, Walter Gropius, Luterma, Venesta
Located in Uxbridge, GB
We have for sale a very rare pair of complete side tables by Luterma for Vanesta/Isokon. The original designer is unknown but the pieces were made inhouse by Luterma, Estonia c1930. ...
Birch, Plywood
Walter Gropius Armchairs for Thonet Set of Eight in Black 1951
By Walter Gropius, Thonet
Located in Chicago, IL
Walter Gropius Armchairs for Thonet Set of Eight, Model W199 Austria 1951, Solid Oak Restored and repainted with black lacquer. Seat Height: 17"
Oak
Sold
H 0.75 in W 7.01 in D 4.49 in
Set of 14 Walter Gropius and Adolf Meyer door handles, Bauhaus ca. 1922
By Adolf Meyer, Walter Gropius
Located in Copenhagen, DK
WALTER GROPIUS & ADOLF MEYER - MID-CENTURY MODERN DESIGN An extraordinary set of fourteen door handles with lock plates. Designed ca. 19...
Steel
1970s Orange Glass "UFO" Vase by Walter Gropius for Rosenthal Studio
By Walter Gropius, Rosenthal
Located in Sacramento, CA
1970s Walter Gropius TAC (The Architecture Collective) “UFO” vase for Rosenthal Studio. The interior of the vase is white, and the piece is in excellent condi...
Art Glass
Walter Gropius Tea Set Rosenthal Germany TAC Porcelain 1969
By Rosenthal, Walter Gropius
Located in Basel, BS
Tea set series ‚TAC’ designed by the Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius for Rosenthal in Germany, introduced in 1969 and produced in 1984. Gropius was asked to to join The Architects Co...
Porcelain
Sold
H 2.76 in W 5.91 in D 3.55 in
Vintage Black Glazed Porcelain Milk Jug by Walter Gropius for Rosenthal
By Walter Gropius, Rosenthal
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Germany in 1969 by Walter Gropius for Rosenthal Studio Line. It is made in black porcelain with both a matte and glazed finish. This milk jug is a vintage piece, therefore i...
Porcelain
Walter Gropius "Model W199" Dining Armchairs for Thonet, Set of 6
By Walter Gropius
Located in Coronado, CA
A delightful set of 6 dining armchairs by Bauhaus trained architect Walter Gropius. Gropius was a German-American architect and founder of the Bauhaus School, who, along with Alvar A...
Birch