The Bauhaus was a progressive German art and design school founded by the architect Walter Gropius that operated from 1919 to 1933. Authentic Bauhaus furniture — sofas, dining chairs, tables and more — and the school’s followers married industrial and natural materials in simple, geometric forms. The goal of the Bauhaus was to erase the distinction between art and craft while embracing the use of new technologies and materials.
ORIGINS OF BAUHAUS FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF BAUHAUS FURNITURE DESIGN
BAUHAUS FURNITURE DESIGNERS YOU SHOULD KNOW
AUTHENTIC BAUHAUS FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The name Bauhaus is derived from the German verb bauen, “to build.” Under the school’s innovative curriculum, students were taught the fine arts, such as painting and sculpture, as well as practical skills like carpentry and metalworking.
The school moved from Weimar in 1925 to the city of Dessau, where it enjoyed its heyday under Gropius, then Hannes Meyer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The period from 1932 to 1933 when it operated in Berlin under Mies was its final chapter. Despite its brief existence, the Bauhaus has had an enduring impact on art and design in the United States and elsewhere, and is regarded by many as the 20th century’s chief crucible of modernism.
The faculty roster at the Bauhaus reads like a who’s who of modernist creative genius — it included such artists as Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky and László Moholy-Nagy along with architects and designers like Mies and Marcel Breuer, who became known for his muscular brutalist-style concrete buildings in the postwar years. In 1925, while he was head of the Bauhaus carpentry workshop, Breuer gave form to his signature innovation: the use of lightweight tubular-steel frames for chairs, side tables and sofas — a technique soon adopted by Mies and others. Breuer’s Cesca chair was the first-ever tubular steel frame chair with a caned seat to be mass produced, while the inspiration for his legendary Wassily chair, a timeless design and part of the collection crafted to furnish the Dessau school, was the bike he rode around campus.
Bauhaus design style reflects the tenets by which these creators worked: simplicity, clarity and function. They disdained superfluous ornament in favor of precise construction. Seating pieces such as side chairs, armchairs or club chairs for example, were made with tubular metal or molded plywood frames, and upholstery was made from leather or cane. Above all, designs in the Bauhaus style offer aesthetic flexibility. They can be the elements of a wholly spare, minimalist space, the quiet foundation of an environment in which color and pattern come from one’s own collection of art and artifacts.
Today, from textiles to typefaces, architecture, furniture and decorative objects for the home, Bauhaus creations continue to have an outsize influence on modern design.
Find a collection of authentic Bauhaus furniture on 1stDibs.
Vintage Kahla Porcelain Square Ashtray Green and Gold Germany c. 1950
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Kahla Porcelain Cigar Ashtray – Green & Gold, Germany c.1950 Elegant and collectible, this vintage square porcelain ashtray by Kahla was made in Germany circa 1950. Featuring...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$1,199Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Bauhaus Era Art Deco Box by WMF Ikora Design Breuhaus de Groot
By Fritz August Breuhaus de Groot 1, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This stunning and ultra rare hand-hammered Art Deco lidded box designed by Fritz August Breuhaus de Groot for WMF Ikora in the 1920s is a true masterpiece of the era. Its design is a...
Silver Plate, Brass
$1,301Sale Price|20% Off
lovely real leather PATCHWORK paper bin basket Auböck Style, Germany 1960s
By Bauhaus, Mathieu Matégot, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: waste bin paper bin basket Origin: Germany Age: 1960s This original vintage Auböck style waste bin paper bin basket was produced in the 1960s in Germany. It is made of na...
Leather
Black Starr and Gorham Austrian Enamel Shallow bowl
Located in Sharon, CT
Abstract wiggly concentric spiral design in violet and red with black accents on s bluish green field enameled on a shallow hammered copper bowl. Signature on bottom states: Made in ...
Copper, Enamel
WMF Ikora sculptural Bauhaus bowl, silver-plated brass, by Paul Haustein, 1920
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
The silver-plated, sculptural brass bowl, with its conical shape and dark rays radiating from the center, exudes absolute elegance in the clear language of the Bauhaus. The bowl disp...
Brass
Set of 7 Glass Shells by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for Vlg Weisswasser, Germany, 1960s
By VLG Weißwasser, Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Set of seven glass shells Producer: WMF, Germany Design: Prof. Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus Decade: 1950s-1960s Description: Original vint...
Glass
Hollywood Regency Real Argentinian Leather Waste Paper Basket, Italy, 1970s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Waste bin paper bin Origin: Italy (design and production), Argentina (leather) Age: 1970s This original vintage Hollywood Regency waste bin paper bin was produced in th...
Metal
$1,115Sale Price|20% Off
Hollywood Regency Gilded Metal Umbrella Stand by Li Puma, Firenze, Italy, 1950s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: umbrella stand Origin: Italy Age: 1950s Design and Producer: Li Puma, Florence in Italy This original vintage Hollywood Regency umbrella stand was produced in the 1950s ...
Metal
Aubock Style Mid-Century Rattan and Brass Bauhaus Waste Paper Bin, France, 1960s
By Bauhaus, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: waste bin paper bin Origin: France Age: 1960s This original vintage Bauhaus style waste bin paper bin was produced in the 1960s in France. It is made of natural rat...
Metal, Brass
Aubock Style Rattan and Brass Bauhaus Waste Bin, Umbrella Stand, France, 1960s
By Bauhaus, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: waste bin paper bin umbrella stand Origin: France Age: 1960s This original vintage Bauhaus style waste bin paper bin umbrella stand was produced in the 1960s in Fra...
Metal, Brass
$1,113Sale Price|20% Off
Hollywood Regency Gilded Metal Umbrella Stand by Li Puma, Firenze, Italy, 1950s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: umbrella stand Origin: Italy Age: 1950s Design and Producer: Li Puma, Florence in Italy This original vintage Hollywood Regency umbrella stand was produced in th...
Metal
$835Sale Price|20% Off
Aubock Style Mid-Century Rattan Bauhaus Magazine Holder, France, 1950s
By Bauhaus, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: magazine holder stand element Origin: France Age: 1970s This original vintage Bauhaus style magazine holder stand was produced in the 1950s in France. It is made of...
Rattan
WMF Ikora Sculptural Bauhaus Bowl Silver-Plated by Paul Haustein, 1920
By Paul Haustein, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This extraordinary silver-plated WMF Ikora bowl combines the avant-garde design language of modernism with the exceptional craftsmanship for which WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfa...
Silver Plate, Brass
Art Deco Bauhaus Bakelite Fruit Bowl Germany, German, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An Art Deco Bauhaus Bakelite fruit bowl. Hard to find in this condition, a nice addition to every room or table. It is an vintage original probably fr...
Bakelite
$548Sale Price|20% Off
Important Bauhaus Era Art Deco Bowl Dish by WMF Design Paul Haustein Ikora
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, Paul Haustein
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Stunning silverplated reticulated Art Deco Bauhaus Era bowl or centerpiece by WMF probably designed by Paul Haustein dating to the early 1920.
Silver Plate, Brass
lovely real brown leather paper bin basket Auböck Style, Germany 1950s
By Bauhaus, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: waste bin paper bin basket Origin: Germany Age: 1950s This original vintage Auböck style waste bin paper bin basket was produced in the 1950s in Germany. It is made of na...
Leather
Rare Vintage Aubock bowl, Signed , Vienna 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
Ashtray, bowl, signed Auböck. Rare biomorph shape. Good condition. Ninor brassing to surface due to age. Pictured in the large Aubock Cataolg Book. Created in the 1950`s. Executed ab...
Brass
unique Bauhaus DeStijl Style cubic metal Magazine Holder, Netherlands 1970s
By Mathieu Matégot, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Bauhaus
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: cubic magazine holder stand element Origin: Netherlands Age: 970s This original vintage Bauhaus DeStijl style magazine holder stand was produced in the 1970s in Netherlan...
Metal
Large looped 60cm Midcentury Rattan Bauhaus Umbrella Stand, France, 1970s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Umbrella stand Origin: France Age: 1970s This original vintage Bauhaus style umbrella stand was produced in the 1970s in France. It is made of natural rattan with...
Rattan
Querandi Hand Graved Art Glass Plate Bauhaus Industrial Style
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Querandi art glass plate, colored hand graved glass depicting a factory. Bauhaus industrial style. Cameo-cut and sandblasted plum-colored glass platter. Hand...
Art Glass
large Aubock Style Midcentury Rattan Bauhaus Magazine Holder, France, 1970s
By Mathieu Matégot, Bauhaus, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: magazine holder stand element Origin: France Age: 1970s This original vintage Bauhaus style magazine holder stand was produced in the 1970s in France. It is made of natur...
Rattan
unique Mategot Aubock Style brass and bamboo Magazine Holder, Austria 1950s
By Bauhaus, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: magazine holder stand element Origin: Austria Age: 1950s This original vintage Auböck style magazine holder stand was produced in the 1950s ...
Metal
Hayno Focken Footed Bowl Hammered Brass Bauhaus
By Hayno Focken
Located in Munich, DE
Very nice, rare and original footed bowl from Hayno Focken. German Bauhaus 30th Art Deco hammered brass bowl with model number 2019. Signed on the underside with "HF" and Modell numb...
Brass
Hand Graved Metal Plate Regensburg Bauhaus Industrial Style
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Heavy handcrafted metal pewter plate with design of scenes from early 20th century depicting the city life of Regensburg in Germany. People, dog, horse, architectural buildings. Handcrafted in West Germany relief...
Art Glass
21 Piece Collection of German Bauhaus Pottery by KMK / manner of Otto Lindig
By Karlsruhe
Located in Chicago, IL
21 Piece Collection of German Pottery in the manner of Otto Lindig. Produced by KMK (Kunstkeramik Manufaktur Krösselbach) SIGNED KMK on some of the pieces Please request additiona...
Pottery
unique Mategot Aubock Style brass and bamboo Magazine Holder, Austria 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Bauhaus
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: magazine holder stand element Origin: Austria Age: 1950s This original vintage Auböck style magazine holder stand was produced in the 1950s ...
Metal
$2,087Sale Price|20% Off
Mategot Aubock Style White Metal Hole Pattern Magazine Holder, France, 1950s
By Bauhaus, Mathieu Matégot, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: magazine holder stand element Origin: France Age: 1950s This original vintage Bauhaus style magazine holder stand was produced in the 1950s in France. It is made of...
Metal
$2,416Sale Price / item|20% Off
Tortuga Trinket Bowl by Le Berre Vevaud, Modern Osso Travertine
Located in Paris, IDF
Tortuga Trinket bowl Travertine, Lava, Memphis, France, Le Berre Vevaud Empreinte Collection Osso natural travertine Available in black lava For their second collection, Raphaë...
Lava, Travertine
$1,148
H 21.66 in Dm 19.69 in
Italian Mid-Century Rattan and Leather Magazine or Decorative Basket, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and unique large decorative basket in curved rattan and brown leatherette. This stylish organic basket was produced in Italy during the 1970s. In amazing condition and wit...
Brass
Val Saint Lambert Green Sommerso Core Crystal Ashtray Dish Belgium c.1950
Located in London, GB
Val Saint Lambert green Sommerso core crystal ashtray dish Belgium c.1950. Presented in excellent condition, free from chips or cracks.
Glass
$2,056
H 17.72 in Dm 8.86 in
Carl Auböck Midcentury Raffia Umbrella Stand, Wastepaper Basket, 1950s, Austria
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Very rare simple and elegant midcentury umbrella stand or wastepaper basket designed by Carl Auböck II and manufactured by Werkstätten Auböck in the 1950s, Austria. It's made of raff...
Brass
$750
H 2 in W 4.75 in D 4 in
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Caduceus" Lithograph Gilt Porcelain Green Ashtray
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage celadon/mint green ceramic ashtray/trinket dish with cigarette slots by Piero Fornasetti, (circa 1950s, Italy). Features lithographic tra...
Porcelain
Art Deco, Ikora Glass Bowl 1925 by WMF
By WMF Ikora
Located in Vienna, Austria
Small Art Deco glass bowl from the manufacture WMF, Germany. This bowl belongs to the technique Ikora, that was patented from the producer in the early 1920's with this technique, tr...
Blown Glass
Vintage leather paper waste bin
Located in TILBURG, NL
Mid Century Modern full leather paper waste bucket. In used condition with nice 'Rock & Roll' patina. Oval shaped top, round bottom. Not sure about the country of origin but possibly...
Leather
$755 / set
H 3.94 in Dm 8.08 in
1970s Set of Pitchers and Bowl in Glass by Michael Bang for Holmegaard
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of two pitchers and a bowl in dusty yellow, designed by Michael Bang and produced by Holmegaard in the 1970s. The well designed set with it´s 1970´s colors is in very good con...
Glass
$678 / set
H 5.32 in Dm 9.26 in
1970s Set of Four Bowls in Handblown Opal Glass by Michael Bang for Holmegaard
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of four bowls in handblown opal glass designed by Michael Bang and made by Holmegaard in the 1970s. The well designed set with it´s 1970´s color...
Glass, Opaline Glass
19th Century Japanese Imari Fluted Shallow Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A richly decorated 19th century Japanese Imari shallow bowl featuring an elegant fluted scalloped rim and densely layered decoration executed in the traditional Imari palette of iron...
Enamel
Vintage Onyx Bowl or Ashtray Dish, circa 1950's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern round onyx bowl or ashtray. This outstanding onyx round bowl is made in Spain, 1950s. Carved and polished onyx stone, showing the mineral’s distinctive banding str...
Onyx
Vintage Murano Pezzato Art Glass Ashtray by Barovier & Toso 1950s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Murano Pezzato Art Glass Ashtray by Barovier & Toso 1950s A heavy Murano art glass ashtray designed by Ercole Barovier and manufactured by Barovier & Toso, Italy circa 1950s. Heavy hot moulded glass internally decorated with opaline and light green glass plates...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Contemporary Shallow Bowl in Cream Lacquer and Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Shallow Bowl cream Exterior Copper exterior Cream Lacquer Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorat...
Copper
Sold
H 3.55 in Dm 13.78 in
WMF Ikora sculptural Bauhaus bowl, silver-plated brass, by Paul Haustein, 1920
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
The silver-plated, sculptural brass bowl, with its conical shape and dark rays emanating from the center, exudes absolute elegance in the clear language of the Bauhaus. The bowl disp...
Silver Plate, Brass
Sold
H 13.78 in W 10.24 in D 10.24 in
lovely real green leather paper bin basket Auböck Style, Germany 1970s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Mathieu Matégot, Bauhaus
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: waste bin paper bin basket Origin: Germany Age: 1970s This original vintage Auböck style waste bin paper bin basket was produced in the 1970s in Germany. It is made of na...
Leather
Sold
H 12.6 in W 16.15 in D 3.75 in
unique Mategot Aubock Style brass and metal Magazine Holder, Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Mathieu Matégot, Bauhaus
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: magazine holder stand element Origin: Austria Age: 1950s This original vintage mategot style magazine holder stand was produced in the 1950s in Austria. It is made of br...
Metal, Brass
lovely real black leather paper bin basket Auböck Style, Germany 1970s
By Mathieu Matégot, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Bauhaus
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: waste bin paper bin basket Origin: Germany Age: 1970s This original vintage Auböck style waste bin paper bin basket was produced in the 1970s in Germany. It is made of so...
Metal
lovely real brown leather paper bin basket Auböck Style, Germany 1970s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Mathieu Matégot, Bauhaus
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: waste bin paper bin basket Origin: Germany Age: 1970s This original vintage Auböck style waste bin paper bin basket was produced in the 1970s in Germany. It is made of na...
Leather
lovely real green leather paper bin basket Auböck Style, Germany 1970s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Mathieu Matégot, Bauhaus
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: waste bin paper bin basket Origin: Germany Age: 1970s This original vintage Auböck style waste bin paper bin basket was produced in the 1970s in Germany. It is made of na...
Leather
Sold
H 12.6 in Dm 8.67 in
Hollywood Regency Gilded Waste Paper Basket by Li Puma, Firenze, Italy, 1950s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Waste bin paper bin Origin: Italy Age: 1950s Design and Producer: Li Puma, Florence in Italy This original vintage Hollywood Regency waste bin paper bin was produced in ...
Metal
Sold
H 11.82 in W 10.63 in D 9.26 in
lovely real leather PATCHWORK paper bin basket Auböck Style, Germany 1960s
By Mathieu Matégot, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Bauhaus
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: waste bin paper bin basket Origin: Germany Age: 1960s This original vintage Auböck style waste bin paper bin basket was produced in the 1960...
Leather
Sold
H 0.75 in Dm 7.13 in
Käthe Ruckenbrod Mid-Century Modern Bauhaus Enamel on Copper Plate with Owls
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful, small enameled copper dish from the renowned enamelist and jewelry maker Käthe Ruckenbrod. Decorated with polychrome enamels. Depicting...
Enamel
Aubock Style Midcentury Rattan Bauhaus Magazine Holder, France, 1970s
By Mathieu Matégot, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Bauhaus
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: magazine holder stand element Origin: France Age: 1970s This original vintage Bauhaus style magazine holder stand was produced in the 1970s in France. It is made of...
Rattan
Large French Square Glass Ashtray, Bauhaus Style
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful large square French glass ashtray, 1930s design, mid-20th century heavy cut glass ashtray in Bauhaus, Art Deco style. Thick clear glass slab tray or desk tidy. Square sh...
Glass
Large Midcentury Rattan Brass Bauhaus Umbrella Stand, France, 1960s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Waste bin paper bin or umbrella stand Origin: France Age: 1960s This original vintage Bauhaus style waste bin paper bin, umbrella Stand was produced in the 1960s in...
Metal, Brass