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.
$8,446 / item
Rupert Bevan Lucian Mirror
By Rupert Bevan
Located in London, GB
Our Lucian Mirror is made from the finest materials, with it’s fumed oak frame and cathedral glass bordering a lightly antiqued mirror glass centre panel. The mirror includes hidden ...
Blown Glass, Oak
$954Sale Price|20% Off
Bauhaus mirror in chrome-plated steel
Located in LYON, FR
Bauhaus mirror in chrome-plated steel With its bold geometric lines and chrome-plated metal frame, this wall mirror embodies the functional aesthetic of Bauhaus. The floating mirro...
Mirror
$4,978 / item
Rupert Bevan Enamel Morier Mirror
By Rupert Bevan
Located in London, GB
Our Morier Mirror is made from the finest materials, with its sleek enamel border surrounding a lightly antiqued mirror glass centre panel and placed on a fumed oak backboard. The mi...
Enamel
Large Architectural Bamboo Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large architectural design natural bamboo wall mirror.
Bamboo
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
$6,273 / item
Rupert Bevan Glass Morier Mirror
By Rupert Bevan
Located in London, GB
Our Morier Mirror is made from the finest materials, with it's cathedral glass bordering a lightly antiqued mirror glass centre panel and placed on a fumed oak backboard. The mirror ...
Blown Glass, Oak
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
"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, 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, 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
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, 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, 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 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, 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
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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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
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, 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
$1,022
H 31.5 in W 23.63 in D 1.19 in
Postmodern Smoked Wall Mirror with a Triple Chrome-Plated Metal Frame, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This mirror features a tripe chrome-plated metal frame and a smoked mirror. It might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considered as ...
Chrome, Metal
Vintage Back light Mirror by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll 1950s
Located in Delft, NL
Dimensions: 54,5 cm Diameter , 9 cm Height Condition: Good Period: 1970s Material: Metal , glass , plastic Color: Multicolored
Metal
$1,976Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.01 in W 24.02 in D 1.38 in
Large Bamboo Rattan Rectangular Mirror, Spain 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rectangular large mirror, bamboo, rattan Eye-catching rectangular mirror handcrafted with bamboo cane. Spain, 1960s. Rectangular frame made of bamboo with wicker accents on the corne...
Bamboo, Mirror, Rattan
$1,800Sale Price|25% Off
H 48.81 in W 23.62 in D 1 in
20th Italian Rectangular Brass Foliate Wall Mirror or Console Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
20th rectangular brass foliate wall mirror or console mirror, you can use it vertical or horinzontal position.
Brass
French Modern Red Enameled Iron Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French modern red enameled iron mirror Adorn your living space with opulence; introduce a touch of French charm to your home with this modern red enameled iron mirror. Set in a robu...
Iron
Mirror Composition in Polished Stainless Steel
By Oskar Zieta
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (2) Limited Edition Mirror Composition in Polished Stainless Steel.
Stainless Steel
$2,748Sale Price|20% Off
H 40.16 in W 27.96 in D 1.97 in
Bamboo Rattan Large Rectangular Mirror with Geometric Frame
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Mid-Century Modern Bamboo Chinoiserie Tiki style rectangular wall mirror. Spain, 1960s. Gorgeous Tiki style rectangular mirror handcrafted with bamboo canes. It has a highly ...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Mirror
$1,205Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.93 in W 16.93 in D 3.15 in
Illuminated floral mirror by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Austria 1950s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in ECHT, NL
Back lit wall mirror. Designed by Emil Stejnar and produced by Rupert Nikoll, Austria in the 1950s. The mirror has an edge made from numerous glass flowers that reflect en disperse t...
Metal
$2,712
H 3.55 in Dm 16.54 in
Mid-Century Modern Round Mirror by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Austria
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Antwerp, BE
One illuminated round mirror with background illumination and brass and Lucite flowers by Emil Stejnar. Looking in this mirror will turn you into a princess when you pull the cord sw...
Metal
Large Bamboo Reed Woven Oval Mirror
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Large bamboo reed woven oval mirror.
Reed, Mirror, Bamboo
Large Mid Century 1960's Round Bamboo Mirror
Located in Leicester, GB
A beautiful large midcentury mirror with a chunky bamboo frame. The frame is made from one single piece of bamboo which is steam bent in a perfect circle. Small bamboo reeds at the b...
Bamboo, Mirror
Oval Mirror Clad Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Oval metal clad mirror. Tin antiqued finish. Clear centre mirror panel with bevel. Overall size: H 32" (81cm) x W 22" (56cm).
Metal, Tin
Large mercury round mirror from the 1970s
Located in LYON, FR
Maison Lecan presents this large mercury round mirror from the 1970s. With its generous 82 cm diameter and smoked bronze glass encircled in steel, it reflects the geometric purity o...
Mirror
Sold
H 20.87 in W 13.78 in D 3.94 in
Small Nautical Cabin Oak Wall Mirror with Shelf, Danish Navy, 1930s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A small and plain wall mirror with underlying shelf for your bathroom smalls. It is made from oak. It has been used on a Danish navy ship in the chefs cabin at the stern. So it says ...
Mirror, Oak
Sold
H 24 in W 24 in D 2 in
Modernist Bauhaus Style Wall Mirror by Rodney Kinsman for Bieffeplast, 1980s
By Rodney Kinsman, Eileen Gray
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Bauhaus style wall mirror by Rodney Kinsman for Bieffeplast, Italy, 1980s. Two-piece swivel double mirror, stunning chromed steel fr...
Chrome
Sold
H 19.5 in W 12.5 in L 19.5 in
Petite Bauhaus Era International Style Rosewood Wall Mirror, circa 1920s
By Bauhaus, Marianne Brandt, Walter Gropius
Located in New York, NY
Petite wall mirror in dark rosewood, circa 1920s. The piece has stark, geometric Bauhaus lines and is in the International style. Origin and designe...
Rosewood, Walnut
Sold
H 8 in W 8 in D 2.5 in
Illuminated Shaving or Vanity Mirror by Marcel Breuer, Bauhaus for Zeiss Ikon
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful illuminated Bauhaus vanity mirror, designed by Marcel Breuer in 1930, executed by Zeiss Ikon, Berlin, Germany. Made of nickel-plated metal a...
Metal