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.
Handpainted German Bauhaus Era Pottery Jug Vase - Suprematist Art Deco Design
By Bauhaus, Bauhaus Deutschland
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This unique vintage handpainted pottery jug vase showcases a striking Art Deco Bauhaus design with strong Suprematist-inspired motifs. Crafted in Germany around 1920, this modernist ...
Ceramic, Majolica
$140 / item
Flower vase "Architect" series2
By POPCORN
Located in 加須市, 11
Flower vase made of iron. This work was inspired by the landscape roofs of Paris.
Steel
$140 / item
Flower vase "Architect" series1
By POPCORN
Located in 加須市, 11
This single-flower vase is made of steel and has the motif of scaffolding from a construction site. Despite the material, it has a floating impression.
Steel
Flower vase "Shadow " series 1
By POPCORN
Located in 加須市, 11
One popular way of arranging flowers in Japan is the single-flower vase. Far from being luxurious, it is a sense of wabi-sabi. I am moved emotionally by minute changes in nature. It ...
Steel
Eva Zeisel Art Deco Bauhaus Pottery Vase, SMF Schramberg, Germany 1920s
By Eva Zeisel, Schramberg Majolica
Located in Vienna, AT
A colorful and charming Majolica pottery vase from the German modernist Bauhaus era, designed in the late 1920s by Eva Zeisel for the Schramberg Majolika Fabrik (SMF) in Germany. Han...
Ceramic, Pottery
Large White KPM Berlin Porcelain Vase Trude Petri Bauhaus, Germany 1930s
By Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM), Trude Petri
Located in München, BY
Large white porcelain vase, designed by Trude Petri for the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur KPM in Berlin, Germany 1930s. Elegant, minimalist vase in a rare large size. This is a pe...
Porcelain
V140 Sculptural Vase by Eric Roinestad, Pale Ivory Stoneware, 2019
By Eric Roinestad
Located in Glasgow, GB
This stoneware sculptural vase by American sculptor Eric Roinestad is the V140 design, created in 2019 and handcrafted in the artist’s Los Angeles studio. Executed in pale ivory ston...
Stoneware
$120Sale Price|78% Off
Vintage West German Ceramic Art Vase from the 1970s
By Scheurich & Greulich Keramik
Located in Søborg, DK
Beautiful large ceramic art vase from the 1970s and made in West Germany Lovely floral designs and no chips or cracks.
Ceramic
Eva Zeisel Schramberg Vase German Modernist
By Eva Zeisel
Located in Sharon, CT
Rare example of the important work the young Eva Zeisel accomplished for Schramberg in 1929-1930. See period photo from 'EVA ZEISEL:D...
Ceramic
$536Sale Price / set|30% Off
Bauhaus Ceramic Cruet Pair by Theodor Bogler, 1948-1968
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Bauhaus geometry in devotional service: a small ceramic cruet pair from the Ars Liturgica workshop at Maria Laach Abbey, produced under the direction of Th...
Earthenware
Ceramic vase -Cielo di Roma- by Cuorecarpenito Bright Blue Glossy
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
The Cielo di Roma vase is an explicit tribute to that unique blue, that special light that envelops everything in Rome. It is part of the Bubble Family Collection and like all CuoreC...
Ceramic
$119 / item
Large Amber Apothecary Glasses, Jars Bottles
Located in Vienna, AT
Brown/amber apothecary pharmacy glasses from the 1920s-1930s.
Glass
Hand-Hammered Pewter Vase by Harald Buchrucker Bauhaus 1940s
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exceptional hand-hammered pewter vase by Harald Buchrucker exemplifies the Bauhaus movement's refined aesthetic from the 1940s. The vase features a gracefully flared form with a...
Pewter
$496Sale Price|20% Off
Vase, Ceramic, Enamel Hand Painted, Attributable to Late Bauhaus, 1930, Germany
Located in Wien, AT
Very special vase, made of ceramic with extraordinarily decorative painting, made by hand in enamel. This style in Art Deco, the workmanship and the objects of comparison, for exam...
Ceramic, Majolica
Abstract Expressionist Black Porcelain Vase in the style of Wassily Kardinsky
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Exceptional spinner-shaped vase in glazed black porcelain. It features colorful geometric expression very much so in the style of the Godfather of Abstract epressionism Wassily Kardi...
Porcelain
West German “Fat Lava” Studio Pottery Vase, Bauhaus-Inspired, circa 1960s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
West German “Fat Lava” Studio Pottery Vase, Bauhaus-Inspired, circa 1960s A striking mid-century West German ceramic vase featuring a bold “Fat Lava” glaze, celebrated for its richly...
Ceramic
Bauhaus Era Pear Potpourri Jar in Lacquered Steel, 1920s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
As a protector//reducer of foul odors in the toilet or bedroom these small curious objects often disguised as a fruit or something humorous were popular during the 1920s in Scandinav...
Steel
Art Deco Ceramic Floor Vase Bo Fajans Ewald Dahlskog, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderful large off-white ceramic vase manufactured in Sweden at Bo Fajans and designed by Ewald Dahlskog in the 1940s. The shape and lines of the vase goes perfect with the wonderf...
Ceramic
Swedish Modern Hand-Glazed Ceramic vase in Yellow & Black
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Small early functionalist ceramic vase signed BO - 44. Possibly a studio piece from Bo Fajans in Sweden. Pastel wheat main-glaze hand-decorated with yellow and black stripes. Measure...
Ceramic
Carafe/Vase by Carl Auböck 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful mid-century minimalist vase or carafe, "tuberculin flask", designed and executed by Carl Auböck II in the 1950s. This piece is made of clear blown glass and features a ha...
Leather, Glass
Set of 2 Glass Vase by Richard Lauke for VLG Weisswasser, Germany, 1960s
By VLG Weißwasser, Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Set of 2 glass vases Producer: VLG Weisswasser, GDR Design: Richard Lauke designed in 1939 Decade: 1960s Description: Original vintage set of 2 glass vases "Fe...
Glass
Scandinavian Glass Vase with Arrows, 1930s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A cast glass vase decorated with arrow motifs. Made in Denmark during the 1930s, probably by Lyngby Glas. The style of this piece mimics the industrial tendencies of Art Deco and the...
Glass
KPM Berlin White Porcelain Tea Box Designed by Trude Petri
Located in Vienna, AT
Porcelain tea box white porcelain with glossy glaze, designed by Trude Petri in 1967.
Porcelain
Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Vase, Glass, Germany, 1950s
By WMF Ikora, Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in High Point, NC
A grey-coloured glass vase designed by Wilhelm Wagenfeld and produced by WMF, Germany, c. 1950s
Glass
$600 / item
Bauhaus Period Tall Yellow Vase
By Bauhaus
Located in Sharon, CT
An unusually tall (15.5) and bright ceramic vase from one of the commercial potteries where Bauhaus or other related schools graduates to design a...
Ceramic
Exceptional Unique Vase by Marguerite Friedlaender for Burg Giebichenstein
By Marguerite Friedlander
Located in Kiel, SH
Unique vase in "halle shape" by Marguerite Friedlaender (1896-1985) at Burg Giebichenstein. incised Burg Giebichenstein mark and a cross. Friedlaender is best known for the design of the "halle shape" which ist still in production as a porcelain vase by the KPM Berlin. MargueriteFriedlaender was student at the Bauhaus under Gerhard Marcks...
Ceramic
1960s Large Patterned Vase by Scheurich Keramik
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
A striking example of West German Pottery, this large mid-century vase was crafted by Scheurich Keramik, the most prolific producer of the WGP movement. Influenced by the design prin...
Ceramic
Kähler Art Deco Glazed Ceramic Vase, Denmark, 1920s
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative Danish ceramic vase by Kähler featuring a beautifully hand-glazed surface and refined Art Deco-inspired design with detailed leaf motifs in blue and green tones on a light...
Ceramic
Flower Bullet Vase Smoke
By Design By Us
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A gold / smoke bullet shape inside embellishes this Classic elliptic vase design. The Bullet vase stands alone as an exquisite decorative object on its own...
Glass
Antique Vase From Roger Cuerin Art-Deco Vase in Pottery, Belgium, 1920s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Antique Signed Art pottery vase by Roger GUERIN (1896-1954) This beautiful art pottery vase is by Roger Guerin, Belgian potter. The colors are shades of tan and chocolate brown....
Pottery
Glazed Ceramic Art Deco Vase with Flowers by Schramberg Germany, 1920s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
SMF Schramberg hand-painted Majolica ceramic vase decorated with colorful flowers. Art Deco styling with a hint of Art Nouveau. Manufactured circa 1920-30. Measurements: H: 20 cm, Di...
Ceramic
Sculptural Trench Art Vase 1920s
Located in Meer, VAN
Sculptural Trench Art Vase, Europe, 1920s. This is a very beautiful and sculptural trench art vase - made from a bombshell from the First World War. Great...
Metal
German Art Deco Revival Pottery Vase, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Tall and decorative German vase with great Art Deco styling. Architectural details, snake skin or tiles imita and bronze glaze. Its has an unidentified marking beneath its base.
Pottery
Art Deco Muller Frères Vase, France, 1920s
Located in Roma, IT
Muller Frères vase is a decorative object realized in the 1920s by Muller Frères Made in France Body, narrow neck with flared muzzle, colorless gl...
Glass
1920s Danish Just Andersen Art Deco Vase
Located in Knebel, DK
Danish Just Andersen art deco disco metal vase produced by Just Andersen A/S in the 1940's. The vase is in good vintage condition and marked with Just. Andersens triangle mark. Ju...
Metal
Ruskin Pottery Art Deco Stoneware Vase with Crystalline Blue Glaze, 1920s
By Ruskin Pottery, William Howson Taylor
Located in Stockholm, SE
Art Deco Stoneware Vase by William Howson-Taylor Ruskin Pottery, England, 1920s–1930s A tall stoneware vase produced by Ruskin Pottery in England during the 1920s–1930s under the dir...
Stoneware
German Glass Vase by Karl Wiedmann for WMF Ikora, 1930s Bauhaus Art Deco
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An exceptional WMF “Ikora” art glass vase designed by Karl Wiedmann for WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik), dating to the early 1930s Bauhaus / Art Deco period. This stunning e...
Art Glass
Art Deco Era William Moorcroft Wavy Corn Art Pottery Vase
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This art pottery vase was done by the Moorcroft Pottery Company of England in circa 1939 and done in their rare 'Wavy Corn' pattern. The background glaze is done in pastel blue and a...
Pottery
Set of Just Andersen Art Deco Vases, 1920s, Denmark
Located in Værløse, DK
An exquisite set of metal art deco vases by Just Andersen. This captivating pair of organic shaped metal vases, designed and crafted by the renowned artist Just Andersen the late ...
Metal
Large Wilhelm Wagenfeld 'Felicitas' Vase, 1939
By Richard Lauke, Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful turmalin vase 'Felicitas' designed by Richard Lauke for Glasfabrik Weißwasser, produced in 1939, the largest model in this series.
Blown Glass
Bauhaus Style Metal Vase
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Bauhaus-style metal vase Circa. 1960 Elegant metal vase inspired by Bauhaus design, characterized by an abstract geometric composition with clean lines and balanced proportions. The...
Metal
Vintage TROIKA Perfume Bottle from the 1980s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Collectible - Perfume - Decoration Dimensions: Ø 7 cm, H 9 cm Material: Pewter Vintage Troika perfume bottle from the 1960s. Handcrafted from pewter and featuring a unique design, it...
Metal
Ikora "Dexel-Ei", an ovoid shaped vase designed by Walter Dexel for the WMF
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, Walter Dexel, WMF Ikora
Located in Aachen, DE
The ovoid shape of this vase was designed in the 1930ties by Walter Dexel, who was connected to artists form the Bauhaus in the 1920ties. The clear and elegant shape was then decorat...
Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass
Vase By WMF Ikora Circa 1920s
By WMF Ikora
Located in Gloucester, GB
Vase By WMF Ikora Circa 1920s - Silver plated brass with black stripe detailing - Produced by WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik) - German ~ 1920s - 26cm tall x 13cm wide WMF...
Silver
Ikora "Dexel-Ei", an ovoid shaped vase designed by Walter Dexel for the WMF
By WMF Ikora, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, Walter Dexel
Located in Aachen, DE
The ovoid shape of this vase was designed in the 1930ties by Walter Dexel, who was connected to artists form the Bauhaus in the 1920ties. The clear and elegant shape was then decorat...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Wilhelm Wagenfeld 'Felicitas' Vase, 1939
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Richard Lauke
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful turmalin vase 'Felicitas' designed by Richard Lauke for Glasfabrik Weißwasser, produced in 1939
Blown Glass
Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Vase, Glass, Germany, 1950s
By WMF Ikora, Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in High Point, NC
A brown-coloured glass vase designed by Wilhelm Wagenfeld and produced by WMF, Germany, 1950s.
Glass
Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Vase, Glass, Germany, 1950s
By WMF Ikora, Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-coloured glass vase designed by Wilhelm Wagenfeld and produced by WMF, Germany, c. 1950s.
Glass
Flower vase "Shadow" series2
By POPCORN
Located in 加須市, 11
One popular way of arranging flowers in Japan is the single-flower vase. Far from being luxurious, it is a sense of wabi-sabi. I am moved emotionally by minute changes in nature. It ...
Steel
Sold
H 5.75 in W 5.75 in D 3.75 in
Vintage Bauhaus Art Deco Architectural Clear Patterned Glass Block Vase
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Architectural Clear Patterned Glass Block Vase. Vintage Large 12" West German Bauhaus Art Deco Architectural Glass Block. A unique vintage retro glass block...
Glass
Sold
H 9.06 in W 9.06 in D 5.91 in
Trude Petri Heart Shaped Porcelain Vase KPM Berlin 1930s Bauhaus Design
By Trude Petri, Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)
Located in Basel, BS
Heart shaped porcelain vase designed by Trude Petri for KPM - the Royal porcelain factory in Berlin - 1932. Described „as simple as possible, as elegant...
Porcelain