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.
Set of Four Original Bauhaus Cesca Chairs, by M. Breuer, Chrome, Italy, 1980s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This iconic Cesca chair, an original design work by Marcel Breuer in the Bauhaus style, represents the pinnacle of "Made in Italy" quality. This authentic chair by the famous Austria...
Steel, Chrome
Original Pair of Wassily Armchairs by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1970s (Signed)
Located in Argelato, BO
Marcel Breuer, Wassilly Armchair for Gavina, Vintage Original Version, Italy 1970s (Signed) The Wassily armchair, one of the most iconic and sophisticated Bauhaus armchairs, designe...
Metal
Restored Bauhaus Sofa, by Vichr a Spol., Chrome, Leather, Czech, 1930s
By Vichr & Spol
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This iconic sofa from the 1930s is an exceptional example of Bauhaus design, crafted in Czechoslovakia by the renowned manufacturer Vichr & Co. The frame is made of tubular chrom...
Steel, Chrome
$9,500Sale Price|24% Off
'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Jeanneret, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' two-seat loveseat sofa, signed (see pics, in gorgeous thick Italian black leather on chrome steel frame is in beautiful vin...
Steel
Set of 4 Mies van der Rohe Leather MR10 Cantilever Chairs for Knoll Int'l
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe leather and chrome MR10 chairs for Knoll International. The chairs are of a cognac leather color with tubular chrome frames. Some of the chairs reta...
Chrome
$4,628Sale Price / set|33% Off
Bauhaus Style Set of 4 Spoleto Chairs by Ufficio Tecnico for Knoll International
By Knoll
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Ufficio Tecnico, Knoll’s own team of engineers and designers, created this cantilevered tubular metal chair in 1971 and called it the Spoleto. The ...
Steel
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe Bauhaus Brown Leather Barcelona Daybed for Knoll
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Vicenza, IT
Barcelona daybed, designed by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe in 1929 and manufactured by Knoll International. Made of chromed steel and coffee brown leather. Fully restored in Italy. The ...
Chrome
$4,101Sale Price|30% Off
Italian Rationalist Adjustable Wooden Lounge Chair, Italy 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Italian Rationalist adjustable wooden lounge chair, Italy 1940s Measurements when opened 125 x 66 x H 70 cm.
Upholstery, Oak
Wassily by Marcel Breuer for Gavina
By Marcel Breuer, Gavina
Located in Wien, AT
A pair of Wassily chairs by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, originally designed in 1925, stands as a foundational work of modernist design, where industrial logic and radical reduction con...
Chrome
'Rondo' high-backed leather Lounge Chair - Pfalzberger AG, Switzerland
Located in Bern, BE
Pfalzberger ‘Rondo’ leather Lounge Chair with tubular chromed steel frame. With reclining function. Designed by Heinrich Pfalzberger in the 1960's and produced by Pfalzberger AG, S...
Metal
Marcel Breuer Bauhaus Black Leather and Chrome Model B3 Wassily Armchair, 1973
By Gavina, Marcel Breuer
Located in Vicenza, IT
Model B3 “Wassily” armchair, designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925 and produced in Italy in 1973. It features a chrome-plated steel structure and seat and back in black leather. Good v...
Chrome, Iron
Classic Bauhaus Style Leather and Chrome Rocker, Arter Mies Van De Rohe, Italy
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Bauhaus style leather and chrome rocker, after Mies Van De Rohe, made in Italy, wonderful quality and construction, extremely comfort...
Chrome
Pair of Marcel Breuer B32 Cesca Chairs for Gavina, Chrome & Vienna Straw, 1968
By Gavina, Marcel Breuer
Located in Vicenza, IT
Pair of B32 “Cesca” chairs designed by Marcel Breuer and produced by Gavina in Italy in 1968. The Cesca chair is one of the most significant icons of modern furniture design. Origin...
Chrome
Le Corbusier LC2 Sofa in Black Leather & Chrome, Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Timelessly iconic Le Corbusier LC2 two-seater sofa in chrome tube steel and black leather. Made in Italy by Cassina. Signed with serial number. The LC2 was designed in 1928 by Le Co...
Steel, Chrome
Solid Wood Outdoor Modernist Armchair, Designed in the 20th Century
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Miguelito armchair is an iconic design by the Bauhaus trained American designer Michael van Beuren, realized during his lifetime in Mexico. It is meticulously handcrafted in Irok...
Teak
$9,500Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of 'LC3' Black Leather Club Chairs by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of LC3 club chairs in thick supple black leather, by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand for Cassina, signed with Cassina decking fabric, Cassina s...
Chrome
Bauhaus Style S3002 Tub Sofa by Christoph Zschoke for Thonet, 2000s
By Thonet
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Bauhaus style S3002 sofa. Design by Christoph Zschoke for Thonet. Striking German design from the 2000s. Original plywood and tubular steel frame, reupholstered ...
Chrome
Marcel Breuer Design Style Black Leather and Matte Black Frame "Wassily" Chair
Located in Miami, FL
Rare black leather and matte black tubular steel frame Wassily arm chair using the original design of Marcel Breuer. Stamped "Made in Italy". Manufactur...
Steel
B3 Wassily Chair by Marcel Breuer
Located in Miami, FL
B3 wassily chair by marcel breuer for gavina, italy 1960’s The Wassily Lounge Chair was designed by Marcel Breuer. Made in off-white canvas with chromed t...
Steel, Chrome
Brno Flat-Bar Chairs in Velvet, Obsidian Gloss by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Wilton, CT
The definition of minimalism in a singular design, achieved by the great Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1929; the Brno Flat-Bar chair is just that. We have edited these contemporary ite...
Steel
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Serious 02 in Lacquered Wood an Red Leather
Bas Van Pelt Tubular Armchair in Original Sisal
By Bas Van Pelt
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bas Van Pelt for EMS, armchair, nickel-plated steel, sisal, armchair, the Netherlands, 1920s. This original and comfortable chair, designed by Dutch interior and furniture designer ...
Steel, Nickel
Restored B34 Bauhaus Cantilever Chair, Plywood & Chrome, By Marcel Breuer, 1930s
Located in Żory, PL
Iconic cantilever armchair model B34, designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928 during the Bauhaus period. This example features the uncommon plywood seat and backrest, characteristic of ear...
Steel, Chrome
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll Krefeld Settee
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful small sofa or settee designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll circa 2004. The original design of these was from the 1920s. Very well made and comfortable with a class...
Leather, Ash
Early Production 'LC3' Lounge Chair by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Atelier International, Pierre Jeanneret, Cassina
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Jeanneret and Le Corbusier Grand Modèle LC3 club chair by Cassina Original design France 1928 / Italy c. 1970s black leather with white and ...
Steel
Gerrit Rietveld Design Lounge Chair Mid Century Modern Art Deco Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural Lounge Chair, originally designed by Gerrit Rietveld in 1917, this example is circa 1980s. We do not believe this is a Cassina reedition, more likely it was uniquely made ...
Wood
Rare Marcel Breuer BT-24 Armchair by Metz En Co Thonet, Netherlands, 1931
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rare Marcel Breuer BT-24 armchair by Metz & Co. Thonet, 1931 This chair has a chrome steel frame, Bakelite arms and still the original blue Eisengarn upholstery. One exact same example but in less good condition can be viewed in the permanent collection of the Dutch Utrecht...
Steel, Chrome
Set of Four Restored Bauhaus Cesca Chairs, by M. Breuer, Chrome, Italy, 1980s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This iconic Cesca chair, an original design masterpiece by Marcel Breuer in the Bauhaus style, represents the pinnacle of "Made in Italy" quality. This authentic chair by the famous ...
Steel, Chrome
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll Krefeld Chairs- A Pair
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful pair of club chairs designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll circa 2004. The original design of these was from the 1920s. These are very well made and comfortable cha...
Leather, Ash
Bauhaus Steel Tubing Armchair Modèle 8319 by Erich Dieckmann, 1931
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Rare Bauhaus armchair by Erich Dieckmann, Germany, 1931 Stunning sculptural lounge chair, tubular metal structure, arms with wood, seat and back restored in cognac leather, original ...
Steel
Thonet S 33 Vintage brown saddle leather chair Mart Stam Cantilever, Set of 4
Mies van der Rohe Brno Tubular Style Chairs in Beige Leather by Gordon, Set of 8
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Fabulous set of eight Brno tubular style chairs in neutral sand-beige leather upholstery, by Gordon International. An icon of Modernist classic heavily rooted in the Bauhaus design, ...
Steel, Chrome
Bauhaus Armchair "Brno" by Mies van der Rohe and Lily Reich, 1980
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a refined example of the iconic Brno chair, originally designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for the Tugendhat House (1930), this piece embodies the puri...
Steel
$2,343 / set
Bauhaus armchairs Erich Dieckman
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A rare pair of Bauhaus armchairs designed by Erich Dieckman. Dieckman was a important Bauhaus designer who started out with stringent geometrical furniture. After a while he incorpor...
Beech
Gerrit Rietveld Steltman Chair, Solid Oak, Bauhaus Style, Netherlands
Located in Toronto, CA
Manufactured by Spectrum. The Steltman chair is part of the Rietveld Originals collection, which is exclusively and globally managed by Spectrum. Gerrit Rietveld designed his last ...
Oak
Rationalist Tubular Stool, 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Rationalist Tubular stool 1930s Seat upholstered in faux fur.
Chrome
An Early MODERNIST BAUHAUS CHAIR by MART STAM for MAUSER WERKE, Germany 1930
By Mart Stam
Located in PARIS, FR
An iconic early modernist minimal chair from the Bauhaus : tubular metal structure, black and kaki lacquered plywood seat and back, "Cantilever" model created by Mart Stam, produced ...
Metal
2/2 An ART-DECO MODERNIST BAUHAUS CUBIST Chair by TOLIX France 1930
By René Herbst, Marianne Brandt, Marcel Breuer
Located in PARIS, FR
This listing is for 1 single piece of chair : A second identical chair is available, visible in our other sales, or available here as a second piece : Tolix Modernist Armchair — Fra...
Metal
1/2 An ART-DECO MODERNIST BAUHAUS CUBIST Chair by TOLIX France 1930
By Marianne Brandt, René Herbst, Marcel Breuer
Located in PARIS, FR
This listing is for 1 single piece of chair : A second identical chair is available, visible in our other sales, or available here as a second piece : Tolix Modernist Armchair — Fra...
Metal
Marcel Breuer B3 'Wassily' Chair - Gavina / Fasem
Located in Bern, BE
Marcel Breuer B3 'Wassily' Chair. Thick black leather backrest, seat and arm rests. Designed in 1925 by Marcel Breuer. Iconic Bauhaus design. Produce...
Chrome
Bauhaus Style S3002 Club Tub Armchairs by Christoph Zschoke for Thonet, 2000s
By Thonet
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Bauhaus style S3001 club tub armchairs Design by Christoph Zschoke for Thonet. Striking German design from the 2000s. Original plywood and tubular steel frame, r...
Chrome
Bauhaus Chrome Tubular Steel and Black Faux Leather Chairs, Italian Modernism
Located in Zagreb, HR
Italian modernist, Bauhaus design tubular chrome and black faux leather stackable dining or living room chairs. Italian design, 1980s. Reupholstered and polished. In good condition ...
Steel, Chrome
$393Sale Price|20% Off
Thonet Bentwood Bistro Chair, Czechoslovakia 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful vintage chair designed by Thonet. Bentwood details and construction makes this piece a timeless item. Plywood seat and backrest. Strong oak wood. The chair was partially re...
Oak, Bentwood, Plywood
$1,850 / item
Cantilever Sling Chair by Mart Stam for Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 1970s S33 cantilever chair designed by Mart Stam for Thonet, an iconic expression of the Bauhaus movement. Featuring a polished tubular chrome frame with saddle-stitched cogn...
Steel
$3,819 / set
B33 Chairs by Marcel Breuer for Thonet c. 1950s
Located in Warminster, GB
A set of four B33 chairs by Marcel Breuer for Thonet, c. 1950s. Stock ref. #3011 An iconic Bauhaus design with heavy black leather stitched over chromed tubular steel cantilever fr...
Steel
Bas van Pelt Patinated Tubular Armchair in Brown Sisal
By Bas Van Pelt
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bas van Pelt for E.M.S. Overschie, armchair, steel, sisal, wood, the Netherlands, 1930s. This original and comfortable chair, designed by Dutch interior and furniture designer Bas v...
Steel
Restored Bauhaus Chair, by Mücke-Melder, Beech, Chromed Steel, Czech, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This iconic and cleanly shaped tubular chair in the spirit of Bauhaus functionalism dates from the 1930s in Czechoslovakia and bears the signature of the prestigious manufacturer Müc...
Chrome, Steel
1930s Bauhaus Sofa Made by Hynek Gottwald, Czechia, Restored and Reupholstered
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Bauhaus style sofa with chrome-plated steel tubular frame. Manufactured by Hynek Gottwald in the 1930s. Chrome tubular steel is in perfect original condition. New upholstery Sour...
Chrome, Steel
1970’s Bauhaus Style Chrome Tube Bentwood & Cane Rocking Chair or Rocker
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Bauhaus style rocking chair or rocker comprised of a chrome tube frame and bentwood trim surrounding a cane seat & back. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that t...
Chrome
1 of 8 Vintage Bauhaus Chrome, Steel and Beige Velvet Dining Chairs. 80s Italy
Located in Zagreb, HR
Italian modernist, Bauhaus design tubular chrome and beige velvet stackable dining or living room chairs. Italian production, circa 1980-1990s. In good vintage condition with expec...
Steel, Chrome
Brno Tubular Chairs in Fuchsia velvet Polished Brass by Mies Van Der Rohe, Knoll
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Wilton, CT
Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the Brno Chair is an icon of 20th-century design. Upholstered in a lovely Fuchsia Velvet with Polished Brass handles. We have been restoring B...
Brass, Steel
Thonet S 39 L Cognac Vegetal Leather Bar Stool Chair Mart Stam Set of 3
These rare Cantilever vintage Bar Stools chairs are Bauhaus classics and were designed 1926 by Mart Stam and produced by Thonet with the Model name S39 L. They were produced in the 7...
Steel, Chrome
Vintage Bauhaus Beech Bentwood Dining Chairs w/Cane Seats by Thonet Set of 5
By Thonet
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Bauhaus style beech bentwood dining chairs w/hand caned seats stamped “Made in Romania” which denotes being made by Thonet, set of 5. These pieces have been attribu...
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
Bauhaus Design Chairs in Chrome Tubular Steel and Brown Faux Leather, 1980s
Located in Zagreb, HR
Italian modernist, Bauhaus design tubular chrome and brown faux leather stackable dining or living room chairs. Italian design of the 1980s. Price is per piece. In excellent condit...
Steel, Chrome
Fasem Vintage Italy black Leather Dining Chairs Armchairs Cantilever
Located in Munich, Bavaria
These Cantilever vintage chairs are Italian classics and produced by Fasem. In the manner of Marcel Breuer this chairs are strongly inspired by the Bauhaus Movement. It can be used i...
Steel, Chrome
Bauhaus Design Chrome Tubular Steel and Brown Faux Leather Dining Chairs, 1980s
Located in Zagreb, HR
Italian modernist, Bauhaus design tubular chrome and brown faux leather stackable dining or living room chairs. Italian design of the 1980s. Price is per piece. In excellent condit...
Steel, Chrome
White Robert Mallet-Stevens Model No.222 Chair Bauhaus French Stacking
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Robert Mallet-Stevens (1886–1945) was a French modernist architect and designer. He believed in simple, functional designs which should be capable of mass production, and these principles are well evoked in his iconic Model 222 tubular chairs. The design was initially created for Mallet-Steven’s kitchen at the Villa Cavrois in the early 1930s but have been in production for decades after their conception. The iconic White Robert Mallet-Stevens Model No.222 Chair Bauhaus...
Steel
Rare Set of Two Bauhaus Armchairs B 246 by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1930s
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare Bauhaus armchairs B 246 designed by Josef Frank and manufactured by Thonet in 1930s. Historically, this model was among those installed in the iconic Villa Rezek in Vienna, buil...
Bentwood
Tubular Zebra Hide Steel Stool by Hynek Gottwald, 1930s
Located in Wien, AT
Tubular Zebra Hide Steel Stool by Hynek Gottwald, 1930s This stool or ottoman goes very well with our zebra chair. Together they are a perfect couple, that attracts everyone's attention. Completely reupholstered with new springs and covered with a selected real zebra skin...
Steel
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe Red Barcelona Lounge Chair for Knoll, 1972, Set of 2
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of 2 Barcelona lounge chair, designed by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe in 1929 and manufactured by Knoll International in 1972. Made of chromed steel and leather. Excellent vintage co...
Chrome