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.
Bauhaus Chromed Tubular Steel Dressing Table, 1940s
Located in Żory, PL
This Bauhaus style oak dressing table with mirror was produced in the 1940s in Czechoslovakia. The frame is made of chromed tubular stee...
Steel, Chrome
Bauhaus Dressing Mirror Made in 1930s Czechia, Made by Mucke Melder
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Green bauhaus dressing mirror made in Czechia in the 1930s. The mirror is completely original and has not been restored, it´s in pristine origi...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Pair of Armchairs, Thonet, M. Breuer, Chrome, Czechia, 1930s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Pair of Armchairs Made By Thonet. Designer: Marcel Breuer Maker: Thonet Material: Chrome-plated Steel Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 Made by in...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Etagere, M. Breuer, Robert Slezak, Oak, Chrome, Czechia, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer, Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Etagere Designer: Marcel Breuer Maker: Robert Slezak Material: Chrome-plated Steel, Oak Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 Revived original polish. ...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Pair of Bedside Tables, Vichr a spol, Chrome, Czechia, 1930s
By Vichr & Co.
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Pair of Bedside Tables Made by Vichr a spol. Period: 1930-1939 Maker: Vichr a spol. Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Material: Chrome-Pl...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Oak Writing Desk, Robert Slezak, Chrome, Steel, Czechia, 1930s
By André Lurcat, Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Oak Writing Desk. Maker: Robert Slezak Designer: André Lurcat This desk was designed by French modernist architect André Lurcat Catalog model: PS 8 Material: Oak, C...
Steel, Chrome
Blue and White Chrome Bauhaus Dressing Mirror, Made in 1930s, Czechia, Vichr
By Vichr & Spol
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Blue and white chrome Bauhaus dressing mirror made in Czechia in the 1930s. The mirror is completely original and has not been restored, it's ...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Oak Writing Desk, Hynek Gottwald, Chrome, Czechia, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Oak Writing Desk by Hynek Gottwald. Period: 1930-1939 Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Material: Oak, Chrome-Plated Steel Leg space: Height: 74,5 cm (29.3 in) Width...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Armchair, Marcel Breuer, Thonet, Chrome, Czechia, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Armchair Designed By Marcel Breuer and Made By Thonet. Designer: Marcel Breuer Maker: Thonet Material: Chrome-plated Steel, Iron-garn Fabric Source: Czechia (Czecho...
Steel, Chrome, Iron
Restored Bauhaus Dressing Mirror, Chrome, Steel, Lacquered Wood, Czechia, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Dressing Mirror. Period: 1930-1939 Source: Czechia Material: Lacquered Wood, Chrome-plated Steel, Mirror, Glass The chrome ...
Steel, Chrome
Chrome Beech Vintage Bauhaus Toilette with Mirror, Czechia 'Bohemia' 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This original Bauhaus mirror is a perfect representation of the simplistic elegance of the Bauhaus Era. Period: 1930 - 1939 Origin: Czechoslovakia (Bohemia) Material: Beech and ...
Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Hallway Wall, Chrome-plated Steel, Czechia, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Hallway Wall. Source: Czechia Period: 1930-1939 Material: Chrome-plated Steel, Lacquered Wood The chrome parts have been cleaned and professionally restored. Ou...
Steel, Chrome
PH Mirror, Brass Brushed, diameter 700mm, on/off Pull Cord, Ph Initials
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall-mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Brass
Restored Art Deco Dressing Mirror, by R. Slezak, Chrome, Steel, Czech, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This dressing table is a top representative of Czechoslovak functionalism and Bauhaus design from the 1930s. The factory of Robert Slezak in Bystrice pod Hostynem manufactured this p...
Steel, Chrome
PH Mirror, Aluminium Brushed, Diameter 700 mm, On/Off Pull Cord, PH Initials
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Aluminum
Restored Bauhaus Étagère, Chrome-Plated Steel, Lacquered Wood, Czechia, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Étagère. Period: 1930-1939 Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Material: Chrome-Plated Steel, Lacquered Wood Original paint in perfect condition. The chrome parts have...
Steel, Chrome
PH Mirror, brass brushed, diameter 500mm, on/off pull cord, ph initials
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Brass
PH Mirror, Copper Brushed, diameter 500mm, On/Off Pull Cord, PH Initials
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirr...
Copper
Restored Bauhaus Small White Table, Kovona, Chrome, Czechia, 1930s
By Kovona
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Small White Table Made By Kovona Period: 1930-1939 Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Material: Chrome-Plated Steel, Spruce Wood, Glass Made by Kovona, a renowned Cz...
Steel, Chrome
PH Mirror, Copper Brushed, 360 mm, On/Off Pull Cord, PH Initials
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirr...
Copper
"PH" Mirror in matt white satin aluminium, Medium diameter, on/off pull cord.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirr...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, green painted satin matt, diameter 360mm, on/off pull cord, ph
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, green painted satin matt, diameter 700mm, on/off pull cord, ph
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, 360 mm Yellow Painted Satin Matt, on/off Pull Cord, Ph
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirr...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, red painted satin matt, diameter 500mm, on/off pull cord, ph initials
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, Brass Brushed, 360mm on/off Pull Cord, PH Initials
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirr...
Brass
Restored Bauhaus Small Table, Unusual Design, Chrome, Bakelit, Germany, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Small Table. Unusual Design. Material: Chrome-plated Steel, Bakelite Source: Germany Period: 1930-1939 The chrome parts have been cleaned and professionally restor...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Chrome Trolley, Marcel Breuer, Mücke - Melder, Czechia, 1930s
By Mücke & Melder, Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Chrome Trolley Deisgned by Marcel Breuer. Designer: Marcel Breuer Maker: Mücke - Melder Material: Chrome-plated Steel, Lacquered Wood Source: Czechia Period: 1930-...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Small Table, Chrome, Revived Polish, Czechia, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Small Table. Revived Polish. Material: Chrome-plated Steel, Blackened Batten Source: Czechia Period: 1930-1939 For its time, this table has a very unusual avant-g...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Chrome Table Lamp, F. Anyz, New Electrification, Czechia, 1920s
By Franta Anyz
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Chrome Table Lamp Designed By Franta Anýž. New Electrification. Designer: Franta Anýž Material: Chrome-plated Steel Sourc...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Pair of Chairs, M. Stam, R.Slezak, Chrome-plated Steel, Czechia
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Pair of Chairs Designed by Mart Stam and Made by Robert Slezak. Designer: Mart Stam Maker: Robert Slezak Source: Czechia Material: Chrome-plated Steel, Lacquered w...
Steel, Chrome
Original Bauhaus Stool, Very Unusual Chrome Construction, Czechia, 1920s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Original Bauhaus Stool. Very Unusual Chrome Construction. Material: Chrome-plated Steel Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1920-1929 Very unusual chrome construction, rarely ...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Pair of Armchairs, Anton Lorenz, Mücke Melder, Czechia, 1930s
By Mücke & Melder, Anton Lorenz
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Pair of Armchairs. New Upholstery. Maker: Mücke Melder Designer: Anton Lorenz Material: Chrome-plated Steel, Beech, Upholstery The chrome parts have been professio...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Floor Lamp, New Electrification, Beech, Chrome, Czechia, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Floor Lamp. New Electrification. Architect: Hana Kučerová-Záveská Material: Chrome-plated Steel, Beech Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 Revived or...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Floor Lamp, High Gloss, Walnut, Chrome, Czechia, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Floor Lamp with High Gloss. Material: Walnut, Chrome-plated Steel, Milk Glass Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 The wood is veneered with walnut r...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Coffee Table, Mücke Melder, Beech, Chrome, Czechia, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Coffee Table Made By Mücke Melder. Maker: Mücke Melder Maker catalog number: Tn 143. Material: Chrome-plated Steel, Beech Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Stool, Mücke Melder, Chrome-Plated Steel, Czechia, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Stool Made By Mücke Melder. Maker: Mücke Melder Material: Chrome-plated Steel Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 Made by Mücke Melder, an influenti...
Steel, Chrome
Original Bauhaus Pair Of Armchairs and Stool, Chrome, Beech, Czechia, 1920s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Original Bauhaus Pair Of Armchairs and Stool. Material: Chrome-plated Steel, Beech Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1920-1929 Dimensions of the armchair: Height: 80 cm (31....
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Floor Lamp, Unusual Design, Chrome, France, 1950s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Floor Lamp with Unusual Design. New Electrification. Material: Chrome-plated Steel Source: France Period: 1950-1959 The chrome parts have been cleaned and professi...
Steel, Chrome
Original Bauhaus Pair of Armchairs, Jindrich Halabala, UP Zavody, Czechia, 1930s
By Jindřich Halabala, Up Závody
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Original Bauhaus Pair of Armchairs Designed by Jindrich Halabala Period: 1930-1939 Designer: Jindrich Halabala Maker: UP Zavody Source: Czechia (Czechosl...
Wood, Lacquer, Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
Restored Bauhaus Table Lamp, New Electrification, Chrome, Czechia, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Table Lamp With New Electrification. Material: Chrome-plated Steel, Enameled Metal Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 New electrification. Enameled ...
Steel, Chrome, Enamel
Restored Bauhaus Floor Lamp, Hynek Gottwald, Chrome-plated Steel, Czechia
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Floor Lamp Made by Hynek Gottwald. Material: Chrome-plated Steel, Milk Glass Maker: Hynek Gottwald Source: Czechia New electrification. The diameter of the ball is...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Stool-Table, Chrome Steel, New Upholstery, Czechia, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Stool-Table. New upholstery. Source: Czechia Period: 1930-1939 Material: Chrome-plated Steel, High-quality Italian Leather Professionally cleaned chrome. The chro...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Small Round Table, Chrome-Plated Steel, Czechia, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Small Round Table. Period: 1930-1939 Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Material: Chrome-Plated Steel, Lacquered Wood Revived paint. The chrome parts have been clean...
Steel, Chrome
PH Mirror, Copper Brushed, Diameter 700 mm, On/Off Pull Cord, PH Initials
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirr...
Copper
PH Mirror, Red Painted Satin Matt, diameter 700mm, on/off Pull Cord, Ph Initials
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall-mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, Black Painted Satin Matt, diameter 360mm, on/off Pull Cord, ph
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, Red Painted Satin Matt, diameter 360mm, On/Off Pull Cord, PH Initials
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, white painted satin matt, diameter 360mm, on/off pull cord, ph
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, black painted satin matt, diameter 500mm, on/off pull cord, ph
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, aluminium brushed, diameter 360mm, on/off pull cord, ph initials
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, yellow painted satin matt, diameter 700mm, on/off pull cord, ph
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, Aluminium Brushed, diameter 500mm, On/Off Pull Cord, PH Initials
Located in Copenhagen, DK
"Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall-mounted mir...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, Green Painted Satin Matt, diameter 500mm, On/Off Pull Cord, PH
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, Black Painted Satin Matt, Diameter 700mm, on/off Pull Cord, Ph
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, White Painted Satin Matt, diameter 700mm, on/off Pull Cord, Ph
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall mounted mirror design fits harmonious...
Aluminum
PH Mirror, 500 mm, Yellow Painted Satin Matt, on/off Pull Cord, Ph
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Created in the late 1930s, the PH mirror features backlit illumination that provides a reflection that is free from shadows and glare. PH’s wall-mounted mirr...
Aluminum
Restored Bauhaus Armchair, Mauser, G. Rohde, Chrome, Leather, Germany, 1930s
By The Mauser Manufacturing Co., Gilbert Rohde
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Armchair. Maker: Mauser Designer: Gilbert Rohde Material: HIgh-Quality Leather, Chrome-Plated Steel Source: Germany Period: 1930-1939 Newly reupholstered in high qu...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Stool, M. Breuer, Mücke Melder, Chrome, Leather, Czechia, 1930s
By Mücke & Melder, Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Stool Designed By Marcel Breuer and Made By Mücke Melder. Designer: Marcel Breuer Maker: Mücke Melder Material: Chrome-plated Steel, High-Quality Leather Source: Cz...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Small Chair Stool, Chrome, Czechia, 1940s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Small Chair or Stool. Material: Chrome-plated Steel Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1940-1949 Chair - Stool. Professionally cleaned chrome. The lower seat...
Steel, Chrome