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.
Beautiful Large Bauhaus Wall Clock
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare wall clock made of wooden frame with white painted glass clock face and black digits caught in steel, made by Chomutov in the 1930s. The original movement replaced to an el...
Steel
Marvelous Design & Warm Color Burl Walnut Art Deco, Bauhaus Mantel / Desk Clock
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and also practical in size Bauhaus style clock. Over the years we have sold a number of striking (no pun intended) Art Deco clocks, but rarely one as timeless, as stylish,...
Chrome, Brass, Iron
Large station wall clock with lights
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Large station clock with three integrated lights. The clock has been fully restored with respect for its original appearance. Efforts were made to ...
Metal
Siemens Halske Bauhaus Factory or Workshop Wall Clock
By Siemens
Located in Vienna, AT
Steel frame with gold ring inside and steel clock face with red and black digits, manufactured by Siemens Halske in the 1930s. According to the previous owner the clock was hanging...
Steel
Bauhaus Adrianus Willem Aad Uithol - AWU Table Clock
By Kienzle Clocks, AWU
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass construction painted, clockface 10cm diameter. Original condition with original Kienzle movement still working. Desiged in the late 1930s in Netherlands by Adrianus Willem Uith...
Brass
Bauhaus Table or Desk Clock by Marianne Brandt for Ruppelwerk Gotha Germany 1932
By Ruppelwerk, Marianne Brandt
Located in Munich, DE
A pure German Bauhaus Design object: table or desk clock by Marianne Brandt. Manufactured by Ruppelwerk, Gotha, Germany, ca. 1932. With original mechanical 8 days clock work. With key. Originally owned by Singer Nähmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Fabrik Wittenberg. Bez. Pdm (marked reverse). The table clock is repaired and maintained by a professional clock master who is specialized in maintenance of expensive clocks...
Metal
Kienzle, Heinrich Moller for Kienzle 1932 'Bauhaus'era Table Clock
Located in Sharon, CT
Heinrich Moller for Kienzle, 1932. A modernist table clock. Chromed brass, glass and black enameled dial with brass numerals and white hands.
Brass
Art Deco Eight Day Mantel Chiming Clock by Pfeilkreuz Junghans, c1930
Located in Devon, England
Absolutely spectacular oak & calamander Art Deco mantel clock manufactured by Pfeilkreuz Junghans clock company In Germany in the 1930's . The case has a angular design with raised c...
Brass, Chrome
Modernist Rietveld style standing clock by Interclock, Belgium 1980s
By Gerrit Rietveld, Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in ECHT, NL
This 1980s standing clock, produced in the style of Gerrit Rietveld, is a striking example of late-20th-century modernist and constructivist design. Built around a strong vertical c...
Brass, Stainless Steel
German Bauhaus Suspended Mahogany & Brass Wall Clock with Manuel Movement, 1940s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A Bauhaus typical wall clock with Manuel movement operated by key (included). Moon minute hand and star hour hand. Manufactured in Germany during the 1940s. Working condition.
Brass
Very Large Blue Siemens Clock
By Siemens
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
This beautiful, unique wall clock originates from an old cable factory in former East Germany (DDR). The clock once hung in the hall where workers could keep track of the time. It ha...
Metal
Large Station Clock on a beautiful piece of wood with 3 lights.
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Large station clock with three integrated lights. The clock has been fully restored with respect for its original appearance. Efforts were made to ...
Metal
AEG Factory, Station Wall Clock by Peter Behrens
By Peter Behrens, AEG
Located in Vienna, AT
Steel painted with glass front made in Germany in the 1930s by AEG. Now fitted with a 220Volts movement but can be changed to a modern quartz movement w...
Steel
Black Industrial Factory Wall Clock from Siemens, 1950s
By Siemens
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This wall clock was produced by Siemens in Germany during the 1950s. It features a black metal frame, a metal dial and a clear glass cover. The piece has been converted into a batter...
Iron
Large Siemens Factory, Station or Workshop Wall Clock
By Siemens
Located in Vienna, AT
Huge 43cm steel painted clock face made in Germany in the 1950s. Formerly a slave clock, it is now fitted with a modern quartz movement with a batt...
Steel
Grey Industrial Factory Wall Clock from Siemens, 1970s
By Siemens
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This wall clock was produced by Siemens in Germany during the 1970s. It features a grey iron frame, a metal dial and a clear glass cover. The piece has been converted into a battery-...
Aluminum, Iron
Vintage Art Deco Mantel Clock
Located in San Diego, CA
Elegant vintage Art Deco mantel clock with a German Hermie movement, circa 1950s. The clock is in very good vintage condition and holds a...
Glass, Wood
$645
H 6.54 in W 5.52 in D 2.76 in
Vintage 1960s Hollywood Regency brass walnut Table Clock by Kienzle, Germany
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Table clock Origin: Germany Producer: Kienzle, Germany Age: 1960s This original vintage table clock was produced in the 1960s by the prem...
Metal, Brass
$888Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.5 in W 15.5 in D 5.5 in
KIENZLE Art Deco Macassar Ebony and Oak Mantle Clock
Located in Chicago, IL
1930s Art Deco mantle clock by Keinzle, one of the top clock manufacturers in Germany during the Art Deco period. Constructed of Macassar Ebony or Zebra wood and oak wood with brass ...
Metal, Brass
Junghans Mid-Century Golden Sunburst Brass Table Desk Clock, Germany, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A wonderful Atomic Starburst Hollywood Regency table or desk clock from the 1950s, executed by Junghans Germany. The clock has a beautiful withe and pastel yellow clocks face with go...
Brass
Large Siemens Halske Factory, Station or Workshop Wall Clock
By Siemens
Located in Vienna, AT
Plastic frame with the acrylic front made in Germany in the 1970s. Formerly a slave clock, it is now fitted with a modern quartz movement with a battery.
Plastic, Acrylic
Large French Art Deco Marble Mantel Clock
Located in Vienna, AT
French Art Deco marble mantel clock still in original condition. Bronzed metal, ivory imitation and various types of stone, in the...
Marble, Brass
Large Early Wooden Gents of Leicester Wall Clock, c.1920
Located in London, GB
A beautifully presented early wooden cased wall clock by Gents of Leicester. c.1920. Rich mahogany case with aged brass bezel, 18" dial and glazing. New 240v movement installed.
Glass, Mahogany
Large French Walnut Brass Wall Sculpture Clock
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern French Deco style wall clock sculpture. Nice combination of solid brass and walnut details. Dated 1959, stamped: Made in France.
Brass
Industrial Bakelite Factory Wall Clock from Pragotron, 1970s
By Pragotron
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This wall clock was produced by Pragotron in former Czechoslovakia during the 1970s. The piece features a dark brown (black) bakelite frame, a black bakelite dial, an aluminum hands ...
Glass, Bakelite
Bakelite Clock By TN Circa 1940s
Located in Gloucester, GB
Bakelite Clock By TN Circa 1940s - Black Bakelite casing - Steel dial with glass face - Original black spade hands - New AA battery powered quartz motor - Made by Tele Norma - Germa...
Steel
Very Large Blue Clock from Siemens, 1950s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
This beautiful, unique wall clock originates from an old cable factory in former East Germany (DDR). The clock once hung in the hall where workers could keep track of the time. It ha...
Metal
Sold
H 9 in W 13.2 in D 5.9 in
Great Looking & 'Timeless' Bauhaus meets Amsterdam School Mantel / Desk Clock
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and also practical in size, Bauhaus style clock. Over the years we have sold a number of striking (no pun intended) Art Deco clocks, but rarely one as timeless, as stylish...
Metal, Brass, Iron
KIENZLE WORLD TIME CLOCK (Weltzeituhr), Art Deco Germany, 1940s
By Heinrich Möller, Kienzle Clocks
Located in Cork, IE
This glamorous clock was designed by Chief-Designer Heinrich Möller at Kienzle in Schwenningen in the Black Forest - Germany's oldest watchmakers! It is in exceptionally good condition and fully functional with barely any signs of use. Notably, the brass has not been over-polished. The clock consists of a solid brushed brass frame with a polished front and a cream colored display with gold colored world map and time zones (note that Berlin is in the center of that map). The hour marks a gild brass and the clock face is covered by a convex glass. Sitting on a gild Art Deco brass pedestal. The clock features the time in any part of the world including day-time / night-time scale. This Kienzle Weltzeituhr is a perfect example of German Bauhaus design and most suitable for any Mid-Century Modern setting with a touch of glamourous Hollywood Regency. First designed in 1939, the Kienzle Weltzeituhr (World Time Clock) was decorated with several design awards in the first half of 20th century and it was one of the bestselling upmarket products the company produced. We suspect this model to be from the late 1940s based on the fact that it has a mechanical brass 8-days wind-up movement with a knob on backside and the clock face states "Made In Germany" (rather than "West-Germany"). We also noticed that the Indonesian capital is called as Djakarta (as opposed to "Batavia" - the previous name of Jakarta up until Japan's occupation in 1942 ). While Kienzle picked up the design again in the late 1940s most Kienzle World Time Clocks...
Brass
Rare Large Hermle German Bauhaus Wooden Mantle Clock with Chimes
By Franz Hermle
Located in Leicester, GB
Stunning large Bauhaus mantle clock by Franz Hermle German clock makers. This clock has a stunning large barrel shape over circular shaped feet, made in oak with a walnut clock face....
Enamel
Beautiful Large Bauhaus Wall Clock by Prim
By PRIM Clocks
Located in Vienna, AT
Wooden frame with white painted glass clock face and black digits caught in steel, made by Prim in the 1930s. The original movement replaced to an electric one powered with a small b...
Steel
1940 Big Bauhaus Wall Clock Kienzle, Germany
Located in Praha, CZ
Large Germany industrial wall clock Measure: Diameter 42cm Converted into a battery powered Front dial is from the glass Frame metal.
Metal
Siemens Halske Bauhaus Factory or Workshop Wall Clock
By Siemens
Located in Vienna, AT
Steel frame with gold pinted ring inside and steel clock face with red and black digits, made by Siemens Halske in the 1930s. According to the previou...
Steel
Art Deco Eight Day Mantel Chiming Clock by Junghans, C1930
Located in Devon, England
Absolutely spectacular wooden Bauhaus Art Deco mantel clock manufactured by Pfeilkreuz Junghans Germany in the 1930's . The case has a superb cascaded architectural design with prono...
Brass, Chrome
Large Wall Clock by TN, Circa 1950s
Located in Gloucester, GB
Large wall clock by TN, Circa 1950s - Steel case - Glass face - Tin dial - New AA battery powered motor - Made by Tele Norma - German ~ 1950s ...
Steel
Beautiful Bauhaus Wall Clock
Located in Vienna, AT
Wooden frame with white glass and black digits caught in steel signed TIK-TAK made in the 1930s. The original movement will be changed to an electric one powered by a small battery. ...
Glass, Wood
Large German Factory Clock, Circa 1950s
Located in Gloucester, GB
Large German Factory clock, Circa 1950s - Stepped black steel casing - Steel dial and glass face - Original arrow hands - New AA battery powered quartz motor - German ~ 1950s ...
Steel