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.
Monumental Wooden Sculpture Inspired in Constantin Brancusi Style
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
This monolithic sculpture, designed by the talented Artist Joel Escalona, is a towering example of beauty in craftsmanship. Hand and digital machine made; the standing sculpture stan...
Hardwood
PH Grand Piano PH170 Curated, Mineral Leather, White Oak and Burned Brass
Located in Copenhagen, DK
This offer comes from ToneArt / PH Pianos, which is the official holder of the license from the Poul Henningsen family to produce and sell authentic PH Pianos exclusively and worldwide. All prices are ex works but we have extensive experience in worldwide delivery and installment, including “white glove delivery”. All our authentic PH Pianos are crafted inhouse and according to original design and true craftsmanship traditions. We are a Danish company, based in Copenhagen, and we have a big showroom in the very heart of Copenhagen with the full collection of all PH Pianos as well as the Poul Henningsen furniture collection that we also hold the exclusive license for. We value and apply Danish, Scandinavian and Nordic values in everything we do, including reliability, full transparency and trustworthy communication! - 5-Year guarantee. - We regularly crate, ship, and install PH Pianos worldwide with full insurance. This spectacular PH Grand Piano Curated Edition is the first of its kind. It has been created in collaboration with Stevns Klint Experience, a UNESCO heritage site located an hour away from Copenhagen, Denmark. The materials and finishes of this piano have been completely customized to represent key elements of the Stevns Klint Experience geography. From the leather banding, to the type and finish of the wood, to the metal trimming on the case, this piano is very special. More than Just a Piano- Finishes with Symbolism The mineral-colored leather banding of this piano represents the Fish Clay found in the chalk cliffs of Stevns Klint. Fish Clay is the layer of gray clay which contains meteorite particulate, and is scientific proof of the collision 55 million years ago of a meteor with Earth, that ended almost all life including the dinosaurs. Hand-carved beautiful ash-wood frames the delicate and elegant transparent lid, and all metal trim has been done in a semi-matte oxidized brass finish called Burned Brass. All materials and finishes combine to create an extremely elegant, aesthetically stunning-yet approachable- piano. Stevns Klint Experience has provided four fossils from the site which have been set into the frame of the piano, making this instrument a true collector’s piece. Original Design, Unique Customization Designed by Poul Henningsen in 1930, the PH Grand Piano is an iconic design from Denmark that has captured the attention of art collectors everywhere. As a Curated Edition, this instrument is the first of its kind to use a piano action...
Brass
$165,370 / item
PH Grand Piano PH159 Legacy, Black Woven Leather, Chrome
Located in Copenhagen, DK
This offer comes from ToneArt / PH Pianos, which is the official holder of the license from the Poul Henningsen family to produce and sell authentic PH Pianos exclusively and worldwide. All prices are ex works but we have extensive experience in worldwide delivery and installment, including “white glove delivery”. All our authentic PH Pianos are crafted inhouse and according to original design and true craftsmanship traditions. We are a Danish company, based in Copenhagen, and we have a big showroom in the very heart of Copenhagen with the full collection of all PH Pianos as well as the Poul Henningsen furniture collection that we also hold the exclusive license for. We value and apply Danish, Scandinavian and Nordic values in everything we do, including reliability, full transparency and trustworthy communication! - 5-Year guarantee. - We regularly crate, ship, and install PH Pianos worldwide with full insurance. This very special PH Grand Piano...
Chrome
PH Grand Piano PH157 Legacy, Walnut Cognac Leather Brass, Modern, Sculptural
Located in Copenhagen, DK
This offer comes from ToneArt / PH Pianos, which is the official holder of the license from the Poul Henningsen family to produce and sell authentic PH Pianos exclusively and worldwide. All prices are ex works but we have extensive experience in worldwide delivery and instalment, including “white glove delivery”. All our authentic PH Pianos are crafted inhouse and according to original design and true craftsmanship traditions. We are a Danish company, based in Copenhagen, and we have a big showroom in the very heart of Copenhagen with the full collection of all PH Pianos as well as the Poul Henningsen furniture collection that we also hold the exclusive license for. We value and apply Danish, Scandinavian and Nordic values in everything we do, including reliability, full transparency and trustworthy communication! - 5 year guarantee - We regularly crate, ship and install PH Pianos worldwide with full insurance In 1930, Poul Henningsen completely reimagined the world’s most popular musical instrument with his PH Grand Piano...
Brass
PH Upright Piano, Cognac Leather with Brass Metal Parts, Modern, Sculptural
Located in Copenhagen, DK
This offer comes from ToneArt / PH Pianos, which is the official holder of the license from the Poul Henningsen family to produce and sell authentic PH Pianos exclusively and worldwide. All prices are ex works but we have extensive experience in worldwide delivery and installment, including “white glove delivery”. All our authentic PH Pianos are crafted inhouse and according to original design and true craftsmanship traditions. We are a Danish company, based in Copenhagen, and we have a big showroom in the very heart of Copenhagen with the full collection of all PH Pianos as well as the Poul Henningsen furniture collection that we also hold the exclusive license for. We value and apply Danish, Scandinavian and Nordic values in everything we do, including reliability, full transparency and trustworthy communication! - 5-Year guarantee. - We regularly crate, ship, and install PH Pianos worldwide with full insurance. An incredible design piece for all spaces. This new edition of the PH Upright Piano...
Brass
Ph Grand Piano PH159 Legacy, Black Woven Leather, Oxidized Brass, Walnut Wood
Located in Copenhagen, DK
This offer comes from ToneArt / PH Pianos, which is the official holder of the license from the Poul Henningsen family to produce and sell authentic PH Pianos exclusively and worldwi...
Chrome
Biomorphic Carved Wood Sculpture in the Style of Isamu Noguchi
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
This monolithic sculpture, designed by the talented Artist Joel Escalona, is a towering example of beauty in craftsmanship. Hand and digital machine made; the standing sculpture stan...
Hardwood
Surrealist Bauhaus Wooden Head Sculpture, 1920's
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A unique surrealist/abstract bauhaus wooden head sculpture, hand painted circa 1920's. The artist is not known but there is a illegible/unknown stamp on...
Wood
PH Upright Piano, Cognac Color Leather with Chrome, Modern, Sculptural
Located in Copenhagen, DK
- All prices are listed ex works. - 5 year guarantee. - We regularly crate, ship and install PH Pianos worldwide with full insurance. For those who want a traditional acoustic upright piano with one of the most iconic design silhouettes, the PH Upright Piano...
Chrome
Modernist Abstract Wood and Wire Sculpture Manner of Louise Nevelson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful Modernist abstract wood and wire sculpture manner of Louise Nevelson.
Wire
$14,320Sale Price|20% Off
Biomorphic Carved Wood Sculpture in the Style of Isamu Noguchi
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
This monolithic sculpture, designed by the talented Artist Joel Escalona, is a towering example of beauty in craftsmanship. Hand and digital machine made; the standing sculpture stan...
Hardwood
Abstract Contemporary Tubular Metal Sculpture
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This contemporary tubular metal sculpture draws direct inspiration from the industrial aesthetic of the twentieth-century Bauhaus movement. The artwork features a complex structure f...
Marble, Metal
Modernist Ervin Neuhaus (Newhaus) Sculpture Gold Man
By Ervin Neuhaus
Located in Cooperstown, NY
We have a wonderful small sculpture of a Gold Man; executed by the prolific Artist, painter, printer and Sculpter, Ervin Neuhaus (Newhaus) 1928-2012. Born in Hungary in 1928, Ervin ...
Gold Leaf
$40,617
Sculpture Atila Biro 1985
By Atila Biro
Located in Perpignan, FR
Sculpture pièce unique restaurée plâtre et enduit fibré Pour intérieur et / ou extérieur
Metal
Contemporary Tubular Metal Sculpture, Bauhaus style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Contemporary sculpture inspired by the tubular art aesthetic that flourished in Europe under the Bauhaus movement. Its interlaced metal lines create a dynamic play between strength a...
Metal
Hand-Carved Black Marble Dumbbell Set, Organic Modern Style, Italy
Located in New York, NY
A pair of exercise dumbbells, handcrafted in smooth, polished black marble. Small white inclusions throughout the stone. At approximately 5 lbs. each, they can actually be used for exercising, in a very elegant way to workout. They also make excellent decor items...
Marble
$1,624
H 41.13 in W 46.5 in D 7.13 in
1976 Curtis Jere Brass Wire Galleon Ship Sailboat Metal Sculpture Art
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Poised between abstraction and nautical biography, this Brutalist-era sailboat wall sculpture captures both movement and material poetry. The sail motif is rendered through sharp, to...
Metal, Brass
Signed Modern Abstract Constructivist Styled Wooden Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This contemporary abstract wooden sculpture was done by Czeslaw Budny a Polish-Canadian artist in the constructivist style in circa 2010. This sculpture was made entirely of up-cycle...
Wood
$1,875
H 10.13 in W 7 in D 5 in
Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Bear Pipe Tobacco Holder Stand
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand-carved pipe tobacco holder stand also have seen examples of it used as a decanter or liqueur Stand with the holders being used for shot or small glasses. Modeled as hiking bear with walking stick...
Wood
Large Wood Sculpture of Boddhisatva Head Ming Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large antique Chinese carved wood sculpture of a Boddhisattva head circa 16-17th century from Ming Dynasty. Likely part of a full body life-size statue, the head was finely carved, p...
Wood
Early 20th Century Wooden Sculpture in the Style of Brancusi
By Brancusi
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Early 20th Century Wooden Sculpture, Inspired by Brancusi's Style – Unique Work by Unknown Artist" Unveil the beauty of early 20th century artistry with this remarkable wooden scul...
Wood
Concorde Model Black Sculpture
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture Concorde model black in fiberglass in black matt finish. Scale 1/36em on polished brushed aluminium base. Exceptional and unique piece.
Fiberglass
Brancusi Inspired Abstract Male Torso Bronze Sculpture on Marble Base
By Rene Brancusi, Brancusi
Located in Houston, TX
Large Brutalist male torso abstract bronze sculpture on a marble base in the manner of Brancusi. This midcentury figural male torso sculpture is finely detailed and dates to the mid-...
Marble, Bronze
1930s Leather Medicine Ball, Nice Color and Patina
Located in Buffalo, NY
1930s leather medicine ball, nice color and patina.
Leather
$3,200
H 18.5 in W 43 in D 14.5 in
Monumental Antique Renaissance Style Carved Gilt Wood Dolphin Sculpture
Located in Bridgeport, CT
This striking Renaissance style carved gilt wood sculpture depicts a "grotesque" dolphin surmounted on a wood plinth base. The sculpture is modeled after classical Greco-Roman descr...
Wood
Giltwood Head Sculpture After Constantin Brancus
Located in Stamford, CT
Substantial and elegant gilt solid wood modernist sculpture of a streamlined and minimal presentation of a head and neck, after the manner and contemporary of Constantin Brancusi by ...
Wood
$3,375
H 10.63 in Dm 3.43 in
1860 Grand Tour Bronze Statue of Place Vendome Column with Napoleon, Marble Base
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for auction this stunning antique circa 1860 Grand Tour bronze statue of Place Vendome Column with Napoleon on top in so...
Bronze
Sold
H 3.94 in W 8.67 in D 5.12 in
Set of Wooden Geometric Models, Bauhaus Style – Germany, Circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of Wooden Geometric Models, Bauhaus Style – Germany, Circa 1940 A rare and authentic set of wooden geometric models, designed in the iconic Bauhaus style and manufactured in Ger...
Wood
Sold
H 5.91 in W 5.91 in D 2.76 in
Set of Wooden Geometric Models, Bauhaus Style – Germany, Circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of Wooden Geometric Models, Bauhaus Style – Germany, Circa 1940 A rare and authentic set of wooden geometric models, designed in the iconic Bauhaus style and manufactured in Ger...
Wood
Sold
H 12.01 in W 10.83 in D 2.37 in
Abstract Expressionist Sculpture, Attrb Johanness Itten (Zürich, 1888 – 1967)
By Johannes Itten
Located in Surbiton, GB
Painted wood and composite sculpture attributed to Johanness Itten, Swiss expressionist artist and theorist of the early Bauhaus under the direction of W...
Composition
Sold
H 10.5 in W 12 in D 10 in
Cubist Bauhaus Style Architectural Cardboard Table Sculpture by Virgil Greca
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Number 3 in a series of similar sculptures this unique creation by Virgil Greca features elements of the early modernist movement as it was demonstrated b...
Paper
Sold
H 9.75 in W 12 in D 10 in
Cubist Bauhaus Style Architectural Cardboard Table Sculpture by Virgil Greca
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Number 3 in a series of similar sculptures this unique creation by Virgil Greca (American, 20th century) features elements of the early modernist movement...
Paper
Sold
H 9.5 in W 9 in D 7 in
Cubist Bauhaus Style Architectural Cardboard Table Sculpture by Virgil Greca
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Number 2 in a series of similar sculptures this unique creation by Virgil Greca features elements of the early modernist movement as it was demonstrated b...
Paper
Pre-War Wooden Geometric Blocks
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of 18 wooden blocks from pre-war Germany, in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.
Wood