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.
Series01 Small Sconce, Polished Unlacquered Brass, Ash Leather Shade, Pivoting
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Solid machined brass in polished unlacquered finish, hand-dyed soft unstructured leather pivoting shade. All material finishes are living finishes: they will change and patina for th...
Brass
Series01 Upright Sconce, Dark Patinated Brass, Lead Gray Leather Shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Solid machined brass in dark patinated finish, hand-dyed soft unstructured leather shade. All material finishes are living finishes: they will change and patina for the better with t...
Brass
Philips NWS 33 Bauhaus Geometric Wall Sconces, White and Gray
By Phillips
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Philips Model NWS 33 wall sconces in white enameled metal with a custom gray painted center band. The form is built from three staggered rectangular volumes arranged in a cross confi...
Metal, Enamel
Series01 Large Sconce, Dark Patinated Brass, Sable Brown Leather Pivoting Shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Solid machined brass in dark patinated finish, hand-dyed soft unstructured leather pivoting shade. All material finishes are living finishes: they will change and patina for the bett...
Brass
Mercury Glass Wall Lights By Zeiss Ikon Circa 1930s
By Zeiss Ikon
Located in Gloucester, GB
Mercury Glass Wall Lights By Zeiss Ikon Circa 1930s - Original branded wall brackets - Mercury glass shades - Takes E27 fitting bulbs - Made by Zeiss Ikon, Jena - German ~ 1930s - 2...
Mercury Glass
Series01 Upright Sconce, Nickel-Plated Brass, Graphite Gray Leather Shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Solid machined brass in polished nickel plated finish, hand-dyed soft unstructured leather shade. All material finishes are living finishes: they will change and patina for the bette...
Brass
Brass and Mahagony Wall Sconces by Eckart Muthesius for Tecnolumen, 1930s
Located in Rijssen, NL
A pair of halogen wall sconces by Eckhart Muthesius for Tecnolumen, Germany, Europe. Model WAD 37. Brass lighting with mahagony wood base. Eckart Muthesius was a renowned German arc...
Brass
Series02 Lg. Sconce, Polished Nickel Brass, Stitched Goatskin Parchment Shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Solid machined polished nickel plated brass, hand-stitched goatskin parchment shade. All material finishes are living finishes: they will change and patina for the better with time a...
Brass
Series02 Large Sconce, Dark Patinated Brass, Stitched Goatskin Parchment Shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Solid machined dark patinated brass, hand-stitched goatskin parchment shade. All material finishes are living finishes: they will change and patina for the better with time and use. ...
Brass
Bauhaus Wall Lamp with Adjustable Shade, Chrome Finish, 1930s Design
Located in Praha, CZ
A superb example of 20th-century industrial design, this Bauhaus wall lamp features a streamlined tubular silhouette in polished chrome. The centerpiece of the design is its adjustab...
Chrome
Bauhaus procelain wall lamp with original opal glass shade germany around 1920s
Located in Wien, Au
Bauhaus procelain wall lamp with original opal glass shade germany around 1920s Original condition
Opal
German Designer, Wall Lights, Brass, Glass, Germany, 1920s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass and alabaster-imprinted opaline glass wall lights designed and produced in Germany, c. 1920s. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 12.5” H x 3.5” W x 3“ D Back Plate Dimens...
Brass
Pair Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus Glass Sconces, White, Lindner Germany 1950s
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Set of two original vintage wall sconces by German designer Wilhelm Wagenfeld. They were manufactured by Lindner Wandleuchten ca 1950s. This set, which is very suitable for a bathro...
Ceramic, Glass, Wood, Porcelain
Series01 Large Sconce, Dark Patinated Brass, Ash Leather Pivoting Shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Solid machined brass in dark patinated finish, hand-dyed soft unstructured leather pivoting shade. All material finishes are living finishes: they will cha...
Brass
$1,651Sale Price / set|20% Off
Rare Bauhaus Nickel Wall Lights, Czechoslovakia, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare pair of Bauhaus wall lights produced in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s. These elegant functionalist sconces feature cylindrical nickel-finished elements combined with lacquered...
Metal, Nickel
Chrome design Bauhaus Wall Lamp, 1930s - Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s, Czechoislovakia - original condition with patina - US compatible - one bulb any wattage possible - newly wired jr
Chrome
Series01 Upright Sconce, Smoke Acid Patinated Brass, Blush pink Leather Shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Solid machined brass in "Smoke" acid patinated finish, hand-dyed soft unstructured leather shade. All material finishes are living finishes: they will change and patina for the bette...
Brass
German Designer, Wall Lights, Brass, Glass, Germany, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass and opaline glass wall lights designed and produced in Germany, c. 1930s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 16” H x 4” W x 9.5” D Back Plate Dimensions (Inches): 3.8...
Brass
Kaiser Idell Bauhaus industrial scissor factory wall light by Christian Dell
Located in Bern, CH
Bauhaus industrial scissor factory wall light designed by Christian Dell. Produced by Kaiser Idell in Germany during the 1930s. Metal construction with black powder coated metal. The...
Metal
Set Of Four White Bakelite and Opal Glass Bo Niko Wall Lights 1930s
By Bo-Niko
Located in Antwerp, BE
Bo Niko Wall Light In Bakelite Holder, 1960s. White opal frosted conical glass lampshade. Perfect wall lamps for your bathroom or hallway. Bakelite E14 ...
Opaline Glass, Bakelite
Series01 Small Sconce, Matte Blackened Brass, Ash Leather Shade, Pivoting shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Solid machined brass in matte blackened finish, hand-dyed soft unstructured leather pivoting shade. "Matte Blackened Brass" is a heavily textured, roughened finish with tool markings...
Brass
Wall Light -LIAISON, Cast Bronze with Alabaster, Cinabre Gallery
By Thomas Mang
Located in PARIS, FR
Out of the intense dialogue between Thomas Mang Studio and Cinabre Gallery emerges a sculptural lighting piece that unites bronze artistry and holistic architectural thinking. Inspir...
Alabaster, Bronze
Series01 Upright Sconce, Polished Unlacquered Brass, Graphite Leather Shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Solid machined brass in polished unlacquered finish, hand-dyed soft unstructured leather shade. All material finishes are living finishes: they will change and patina for the better ...
Brass
Industrial Task Lamp by Kaiser Dell
By Kaiser Dell
Located in Oakland, CA
1950s task lamp by Kaiser Dell, done in the Bauhaus style as these originated during the Bauhaus movement. Light gray paint with an adjustable base and arm which can be adjusted via ...
Metal, Chrome
Big Chrome milk glass Bauhaus / Functionalist Wall Lamp - 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930S, Czechoslovakia - polished, new electricity - patina(see the details) - US wiring compatible - one bulb any wattage - can be used bot vertically and horizontally on wall jr
Chrome
Bakelite Wall or Ceiling Industrial Lamp from 1940s
Located in Vienna, AT
Bakelite wall of ceiling industial or factory lamp from late 1940s. Up to 20 pieces available.
Bakelite, Glass
Bauhaus Wall Sconces, Dark Bronze & Bakelite, Austrian Design, 1940s
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic pair of Bauhaus influenced dark bronze sconces with articulating shades and amber bakelite detail on back plates. Sconces have a strong a...
Bronze
$1,560 / item
LUglo Sconces by Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Geometrical and iconic globe sconces. Playing with the balance of weight perception and strength, these sconces show the tension created by a sphere rolling over a an edge. The soft ...
Aluminum, Brass
Set of Two Rare Art Deco Bauhaus Bedside Sconces or Wall Lamps Germany 1950s
Located in München, BY
Set of two rare, elegant and minimalistic Bauhaus or Art Deco wall lights / sconces. Designed and manufactured in Germany, 1950s. Executed in brass and metal, each lamp needs 1 x st...
Metal, Brass
$2,898
Bauhaus Rare Wall Light
By Bauhaus
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful rare Bauhaus lamp, a heavy metal version in nickel with 5 plexi clear plates with white lines giving an abstract accent of a play of light,...
Chrome
Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Wall Light, Brass, Germany, 1950s
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Peill & Putzler
Located in High Point, NC
A sizable wall light designed by Wilhelm Wagenfeld and produced by Peill & Putzler, Germany, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 20” H x 6.6” W x 5.25“ D Back Plate Dimensions (...
Brass
Bauhaus Porcelain Base and Glass Globe Wall/Ceiling Light, Germany, 1930s
Located in Almelo, NL
Bauhaus Porcelain Base and Glass Globe Wall/Ceiling Light, Germany, 1930s This original Bauhaus wall or ceiling light from 1930s Germany is a superb example of early modernist desig...
Porcelain, Glass
$811
Bauhaus Wallamp
By Bauhaus
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Deco porcelain wall lamp by Bauhaus Germany, 1920. Original condition.Special light effect for small rooms, entries and corridor.
Porcelain, Opaline Glass
German Bauhaus style wall lamp by Heinrich Siegfried Bormann & Ugo Pollice 1950s
By Ugo Pollice
Located in MIlano, IT
German Bauhaus style wall lamp by Heinrich Siegfried Bormann & Ugo Pollice 1950s. Bauhaus style arm wall lamp, with red metal structure and part of the chromed diffuser. Foldable and...
Metal
Series02 Small Sconce, Polished Unlacquered Brass, Goatskin Parchment Shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Solid machined polished unlacquered brass, hand-stitched goatskin parchment shade. All material finishes are living finishes: they will change...
Brass
Rare Megaphos Sistrah Wall Lamp By C.F Otto Mueller
By Megaphos/Sistrah, C.F. Otto Muller, Sistrah-Licht GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare wall lamp by Sistrah/Megaphos desiged in the 1930s by Otto Müller in Germany. Brass arm chrome-plated fitted with one E27 socket up to 60Watts (nowadays LED), milk glass shade.
Brass, Chrome
Series01 Small Sconce, Dark Patinated Brass, Sable Brown Leather Shade, Pivoting
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Solid machined brass in dark patinated finish, hand-dyed soft unstructured leather pivoting shade. All material finishes are living finishes: they will change and patina for the bett...
Brass
Rare Chrome Bauhaus Art Deco Wall Lamp Napako, 1940s
Located in Praha, CZ
- very nice style of lighting - rare type - adjustable - marked
Chrome
Pair of Wilhelm Wagenfeld Wall Lights No. 356, 1950
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful pair of wall lights designed by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for Lindner, in ivory porcelain with opaque glass bulb covers, Werksverzeichnis Nr. 356, Wilhelm Wagenfeld for Lindner Gmb...
Porcelain, Opaline Glass
S01 Sm. Sconce, Polished Unlacquered Brass, Tennis Green Leather Shade, Pivoting
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Solid machined brass in polished unlacquered finish, hand-dyed soft unstructured leather pivoting shade. All material finishes are living finishes: they will change and patina for th...
Brass
Series01 Lg Sconce, Polished Unlacquered Brass, Gochu Red Leather Pivoting Shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Solid machined brass in polished unlacquered finish, hand-dyed soft unstructured leather pivoting shade. All material finishes are living finishes: they will change and patina for th...
Brass
$666Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Chrome Bauhaus / Functionalist Wall Lamps with adjustable shades- 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930S, Czechoslovakia - polished, new electricity - patina(see the details) - US wiring compatible - one bulb any wattage - can be used both vertically and horizontally on wall jr
Chrome
$1,474Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Unique Cubistic Brass Wall Lamps, 1920s
By Josef Gocar
Located in Praha, CZ
Very rare brass wall lamps come from house in cubistic style. Beautiful clean and simple rondocubist lines. Attributed to Josef Gočár, Polished, rewired. Original brass and ceramic s...
Brass
Set of Two Unique Silver-Plated Brass Flush Mounts or Sconces Germany 1970s
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Carl J. Jucker
Located in München, BY
Exceptional, elegant and minimalistic Bauhaus ceiling lamps or sconces. These unique pieces are probably prototypes which never went in serial production. Designed and manufactured ...
Brass, Silver Plate
Bakelite Wall or Ceiling Industrial Lamp from 1940s
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare bakelite wall of ceiling industial or factory lamp from late 1940s up to 4 pieces available
Bakelite, Glass
$351Sale Price|20% Off
Chrome design Bauhaus Wall Lamp, 1930s - Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s, Czechoislovakia - original condition with patina - US compatible - one bulb any wattage possible - newly wired jr
Chrome
Industrial Bauhaus Wall or Table Lamp, Germany, 1930s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Raw looking table or wall light that came out a factory in the Ruhr District in Germany. It has a partially caged polished aluminium shade, a wooden centerpiece...
Metal, Aluminum
XXL big Chrome design Bauhaus Wall Lamp, 1930s - Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s, Czechoislovakia - very good original condition with patina - US compatible - two bulbs any wattage possible - small damage of glass,not proceeding and not seen - newly wired jr
Chrome
Chrome design Bauhaus Wall Lamp, 1930s - Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s, Czechoislovakia - original condition with patina - US compatible - two bulbs any wattage possible jr
Chrome
Huge Adjustable Bauhaus Scissor Wall Lamp by Wilhelm Bäder Germany 1930s
Located in München, BY
Huge, articulated Bauhaus scissor wall lamp. Adjustable and extendable arm. Lamp shade adjustable in every position. Extendable between 15.75 – 55.12 in. (40 – 140 cm). A real work ...
Metal
Exceptional Articulated Bauhaus Workshop Wall Lamp or Task Light 1920s Germany
Located in München, BY
Extremely rare and articulated Bauhaus functionalist workshop lamp or task light. Designed and manufactured in late 1920s, Germany. The lamp can be mounted on workshop table or wall....
Aluminum, Steel
Vintage Industrial Adjustable Articulated Telescopic Task Lamp
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Vintage black industrial adjustable articulated telescopic task lamp made in Germany in the 1920s-1930s. Can be used as wall or table lamp. Wall arm measures max. 44.5" in. (113 c...
Metal, Steel
Rare & Huge Adjustable Bauhaus Scissor Wall Lamp by Wilhelm Bäder Germany 1930s
Located in München, BY
Huge, articulated Bauhaus scissor wall lamp. Adjustable and extendable arm. Lamp shade adjustable in every position. Extendable between 18.11 – 66.93 in. (46 – 170 cm) A real work s...
Metal
Bauhaus Porcelain Base and Opaline Glass Wall/Ceiling Light, Germany, 1930s
Located in Almelo, NL
Bauhaus Porcelain Base and Glass Globe Wall/Ceiling Light, Germany, 1930s This original Bauhaus-era light fixture from 1930s Germany embodies the core principles of modernist design...
Porcelain, Glass
Wall lamp by Ernst Rademacher, Bauhaus, 1930
Located in JASSANS-RIOTTIER, FR
Wall lamp from the Bauhaus period designed by German designer Ernst Rademacher in the 30s All in black metal Signed Height is adjustable Wall arm: 93 cm Length arm 1: 88 cm - Length ...
Metal
Adjustable 'Megaphos' Wall Applique by C.F Otto Mueller, Sistrah, Germany, 1930s
By C.F. Otto Muller, Megaphos/Sistrah
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
A rare Megaphos adjustable wall applique by C. F. Otto Meuller for Sistrah Licht GmbH Beautiful construction and functional Bauhaus wall applique This lamp features a left to right...
Brass, Nickel
Art Deco Wall Scissor Lamp No. 6718 by Christian Dell for Kaiser, Germany 1935
By Christian Dell, Kaiser Idell
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Art Deco Wall Scissor Lamp No. 6718 by Christian Dell for Kaiser, Germany 1935. complete. switch works properly. good vintage condition. very nice vintage patina, not over restored!
Metal
Chrome design Bauhaus Wall Lamp, 1930s - Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s, Czechoislovakia - original condition with patina,see the photos - US compatible - one bulb any wattage possible - newly wired jr
Chrome
Chrome design Bauhaus Wall Lamp, 1930s - Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s, Czechoislovakia - original condition with patina,see the photos - US compatible - one bulb any wattage possible - newly wired jr
Chrome
Bauhaus Porcelain Base and Opaline Glass Wall/Ceiling Light, Germany, 1930s
Located in Almelo, NL
Bauhaus Porcelain Base and Glass Globe Wall/Ceiling Light, Germany, 1930s This original Bauhaus-era light fixture from 1930s Germany embodies the core principles of modernist design...
Porcelain, Glass