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.
$1,065 / set
2x Art Deco 15kg double ball dumbbells, 1930s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
2x Art Deco 15kg double ball dumbbells Super decorative. Will be sent in 2 packages because of the weight.
Iron
Heiner Hans Körting German Bauhaus Black & Brown Glazed Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish German Bauhaus studio ceramic vase decorated in black and brown glazes by Heiner Hans Körting (1911-1991) and dating from 1940-50. T...
Ceramic
Midcentury West German Fat Lava Orange Bauhaus Vase, 1960
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage 1960s ceramic West German Studio pottery vase, Germany Bauhaus. Midcentury ceramic fat lava glaze volcanic pottery vase in the style...
Ceramic
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
Contemporary Colorful Nude Chalk Sketch of Women circa 1960 Signed Ball
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Portrait landscape chalk sketch of two nude women posing in front of a window with outlines of foliage and chairs and table. The subjects have dark brown or black hair, one tied with...
Paper
$3,250
H 8.5 in W 3.75 in D 3.75 in
Beatrice Wood Signed Midcentury California Studio Pottery Luster Glaze Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful gem of a piece by famed American/California ceramicist Beatrice Wood featuring her highly coveted, gorgeously radiant turquoise luster glaze. A beautiful design with a delicate long neck rising from a circular base. Classic and timeless. Signed by Beatrice in her customary "Beato" on the underside of the base (with noted inventory number). Would be an amazing addition to any Mid-Century Modern pottery collection or personal collectors of her work or a fabulous stand-alone accent piece in about any setting. One of the best Beatrice Wood's luster glaze vases we have come across in quite a while. Know famously in the art world as "The Mama of Dada", Wood lived a long (1893-1998) and very fruitful, creative life and is considered by many experts and collectors alike to have been a centerpiece in the modern ceramic art movement of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. At one point in her career, Wood studied with master potters Otto and Gertrud Natzler and later become famed in her own right for her distinct luster-glazing techniques. In 1994, the Smithsonian Institution named Wood an "Esteemed American Artist". Her other awards include: 1994 Governor’s Awards for the Arts (California) 1993 Recognition as A Role Model by Women in Film 1992 Gold Medal for Highest Achievement in Craftsmanship, American Craft Council 1988 Distinguished Service Award, Arizona State University 1987 Fellow of American Craft Council Women’s Art Caucus, National Award (NCECA Award) 1986 Women’s Building Award 1984 Living Treasure of California 1983 Symposium Award of the Institute for Ceramic History 1961 Goodwill Ambassador from USA...
Earthenware
Marcel Marti Bronze Abstract Totem Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Superb Marcel Marti (1925–2010) attributed abstract patinated bronze sculpture that is unique from every angle. This is a striking postwar piece of art fr...
Bronze
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
$259
H 2.5 in W 4.25 in D 1.5 in
Just Andersen, Denmark 1930s Art Deco Pewter Stylised Bird Pipe Holder
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Just Andersen of Denmark, Pewter stylised bird pipe holder. Circa 1930's. Stamped on base. Measures: height 2.5 inch, width 4.25 inch, depth 1.5 inch Good condition. Wear consis...
Pewter
$995
H 5.75 in W 9.5 in D 4.5 in
Art Deco Birdeye Maple Petite Radio by Emerson - Cabinet by Ingraham C1930
By Ingraham, Emerson Radio Corporation
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and rare, timeless and very cool in original as found condition this Emerson radio is a petite model and the likes of which i have not seen before. Back of cabinet is missi...
Plastic, Bakelite, Birdseye Maple
Antique Medieval Helmet, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
Its replica from 1930s In original condition fully functional
Steel
Glazed ceramic vase by Michel Lanos
By Michel Lanos
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A ceramic vase with glazes decoration by Michel Lanos (1926-2005). 7.1 x 6.3 inches. Perfect original decorations. Artist monogram under the base. Circa 1990-2000. Unique piece. - ...
Ceramic
Oversize West German "Fat Lava" Vase
Located in Highland, IN
Fantastic large West German vase with vivid textural "Fat Lava" glaze by Scheurich. 17.5"h X 8.5"d
Ceramic
Selection of Original Female Nude Paintings
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Original Female Nude Paintings, probably American, circa 1950s. They are priced at $750 each. Neither work is signed. They have both been professionally framed in vintag...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
$5,250
H 4.5 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
Beatrice Wood Signed Iridescent Luster Glaze California Studio Pottery Face Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful gem of a piece by famed American/California ceramicist Beatrice Wood featuring her highly coveted iridescent luster glaze and highly desi...
Earthenware
$158Sale Price|60% Off
H 36 in W 29.5 in D 0.75 in
Contemporary Signed Very Colorful Abstract Lithograph
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Contemporary Signed Very Colorful Abstract (2 of 15) Lithograph - 1997 Frame and matting needs to be updated.
Paper
$1,850 / item
H 26.5 in Dm 14 in
Large Moorish Glazed Ceramic Vase with Arabic Calligraphy Black Writing Fez
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large Moroccan glazed ceramic vase from Fez. Moorish style ceramic handcrafted and hand painted with Arabic calligraphy writing. This kind of Art Writing looks calligraphic is called...
Ceramic
Constructivist plywood rocking horse, Switzerland 1960s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in ECHT, NL
Minimal Bauhaus design rocking horse. It is made from sheets of plywood. Simple yet ingenious construction making it a sturdy toy. I was made during the 1960s in Switzerland. The pl...
Plywood
Modernist Bauhaus Ceramic Vase, Germany, 1961
By Dieter Peter
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted Modernist West Germany Bauhaus 1961 ceramic Vase. Vintage Mid-Century Modern West German Studio pottery glazed vase with handle hand carved on brown background with vibr...
Pottery
Bauhaus Era Enamel Sign Kiosk, 1930s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Slightly concave old enamel sign from a Kiosk (small shop with tobacco, newspapers, beverages, sweets etc). Very clean design and Bauhaus typical simple typography. It has spend its ...
Enamel
West Germany Fat Lava Bauhaus Modernist Pitcher
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1950s ceramic modernist West German Studio Pottery vase with handle. Midcentury ceramic fat lava glaze volcanic pottery vase. Vibrant vase...
Ceramic
Modernist Saint Clement French Fat Lava Bauhaus Vase, 1950
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Saint Clement 1950s ceramic modernist French Studio pottery pitcher with handle. Midcentury ceramic fat lava glaze volcanic pottery vase with handle. Vibrant vase in an orange, red, cream lava finish. Straightforward and minimalistic design of the 1950s Bauhaus design era. Beautifully rendered in a 'Lava' glaze with wonderful red and orange design. This item is a wonderful addition to every modern home. Saint Clement France...
Ceramic
Sold
H 2.69 in W 4.32 in D 5.19 in
Small Decorative Contemporary Blue and Green Geode Detail Ceramic Bowl Signed
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Ceramic bowl in green and blue with geode shaped detail at front. The exterior is a lovely green color, and blue glazed geode shaped ceramic pieces protrude at the front in blue. ...
Ceramic
Modernist West German Fat Lava Bauhaus Vase, 1960
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1950s ceramic Modernist West German Studio pottery vase with handle, Germany Bauhaus. Midcentury ceramic fat lava glaze volcanic pottery va...
Ceramic
1950s Midcentury Glazed Vase with Red and Green, Strehla East Germany GDR
By Strehla
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1950s Ceramic Studio pottery vase, Germany Bauhaus. Strehla East Germany, 1950 ‘GDR’ ceramic vase. Vibrant vase in a grey with orange, red, charcoal lav...
Ceramic
Sold
H 19.69 in W 84.65 in D 0.4 in
Rare Large Functionalism Enamel Sign of the Lipner Grand Hotel, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
Joseph Lipner was the owner of the Grand Hotel, which was designed by architect F. J. Lepold and built by local builder Karel Kovarik . The three-story building was for its time a very impressive and modern building in the center of Prerov town situated in front of the railway station / Czechoslovakia /. The hotel was ceremoniously opened on December 8th, 1934. The large enamel sign is composed of three individual parts / see photos /, signed ŠA in the lower right corner . / author undetermined /. The sign was not designed to serve as a wall advertisement...
Enamel
Constructivist Bauhaus Wood Sculpture by Yuri Suhl
By Yuri Suhl
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful handmade wood sculpture executed by Yuri Suhl depicting man carrying original patina, beautiful surface and color, signed Yuri Suhl Yuri Suhl Primarily a writer and es...
Wood, Driftwood