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 Rectangular Tubular Steel Table, Chromed Metal, Lacquered Wood, C. 1935
Located in Berlin, DE
Bauhaus rectangular table model Tn 132, manufactured by Mücke-Melder, circa. 1935. Chrome plated tubular steel, black lacquered wood.
Metal, Chrome
DOOQ Bauhaus inspired Memphis Dining Table, Natural Marble Estremoz White& Pink
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
A dining table designed to question the sometimes imposed "good taste" and good functional design with a disregard of typical shapes and an intentional imbalance created by the botto...
Marble
$7,345 / item
DOOQ Center Table in Marble and Brass Playing Games
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
The essential shapes of these tables play between them in an alluring game of proportion and color which results in the creation of a perfect balance and tension of material and nega...
Marble, Brass
DOOQ Side Table in White, Nero Marquina, Green Guat. Marble& Brass Playing Games
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
The essential shapes of these tables play between them in an alluring game of proportion and color which results in the creation of a perfect balance and tension of material and nega...
Marble, Brass
Modernist Tubular Side Table c. 1950s
Located in Warminster, GB
A Bauhaus-style tubular chromed-steel side or centre table with leatherette upholstered tiers, c. 1950s. Stock ref. #2893 In good sturdy order with some wear to the chrome-plating...
Steel, Chrome
Cube/ Square Shaped End Table Made in Bone or Horn
Located in New York City, NY
This end/ center table is made with handcrafted triangular bone chips inlayed over wood. The Cube shape can be aligned in sets to make different arrangement...
Bone
DOOQ Coffee or Center Table Carved from Solid Black & White Marble Bonnie& Clyde
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
Sensual curves and straight lines embody the perfect combination of beauty and danger, much like the Hollywood legends Bonnie & Clyde. It is impossible to feel estranged with thi...
Marble
Bauhaus Steel and Glass Round Table by Josef & Leopold Quittner, Vienna, c. 1930
Located in Berlin, DE
Bauhaus chrome plated tubular steel round table with glass tops. The table is attributed to Josef and Leopold Quittner, Vienna, circa. 1930.
Metal, Chrome
Bas van Pelt Original Coffee Table in Grey Sisal
By Bas Van Pelt
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bas van Pelt for E.M.S. Overschie, coffee table, lacquered steel, sisal, The Netherlands, 1930s. This octagonal shaped coffee table is made by the Dutch interior and furniture designer Bas van Pelt (1900-1945), and manufactured by E.M.S. Overschie. The construction is made in tubular steel with white lacquer finish. The curved ends meet each other in the middle, creating a cross shape which is the defining element. The table top is covered with coarsely woven fabric ‘sisal’. Bastiaan Johannes van Pelt (1900-1945) was a Dutch furniture designer and interior designer. As son of a book printer, he spend his time after school working in several printing companies in Holland. At that time he already engaged in topics like designing furniture, interiors, carpets and fabrics, graphic work and pottery. In 1927, he quit his old job and started to work at a furniture factory owned by his father-in-law J.C. Jansen in Overschie. Together with his brother-in-law, Jan Jansen...
Steel
PH Table - Chrome legs with solid natural oak table plate
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Designed in 1932, the PH Table is a remarkable piece of furniture and a perfect addition to any space where a table is required to gather around or for display. The beauty of the PH...
Chrome
DOOQ Center Table in Travertine and Brass Playing Games
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
The essential shapes of these tables play between them in an alluring game of proportion and color which results in the creation of a perfect balance and tension of material and nega...
Travertine, Brass
$4,194 / item
PH Lounge Table, chrome, solid mahogany table plate
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Lounge Table designed by Poul Henningsen is the perfect addition to any lounge space where a table is required to gather around or for display. ...
Chrome
$4,194 / item
PH Lounge Table, Chrome, Solid Black Oak Table Plate
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH lounge table designed by Poul Henningsen is the perfect addition to any lounge space where a table is required to gather around or for display. ...
Chrome
PH Lounge Table, Chrome, Solid Natural Oak Table Plate
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH lounge table designed by Poul Henningsen is the perfect addition to any lounge space where a table is required to gather around or for display. ...
Chrome
$12,759Sale Price / item|20% Off
Nassau Table Coffee Table, Marble, Memphis, France, Le Berre Vevaud
Located in Paris, IDF
Nassau table coffee table, marble, Memphis, France, Le Berre Vevaud Empreinte Collection Lilac marble top, softened finish Removable glossy coral lacquered wooden tray Steel base...
Marble, Steel
$7,150 / set
H 13 in W 70.87 in D 31.5 in
Two Pedestal Coffee Tables in White Marble and White Oak Veneer
By Casa Mineral
Located in Mexico City, MX
Set of two coffee tables with pedestal base in Veneciano white marble, the large one has a Veneciano white marble top and the small one...
Marble
$2,681 / item
H 13.78 in W 47.25 in D 27.56 in
Organic Modern Center Table Jean in Natural Travertine Marble Stone
Located in Lisbon, PT
Jean oval center table is unique in its conception with Organic Modern inspiration. Natural Stone is unrepeatable in its individuality, this way each Jean center table is unique fea...
Marble
$3,366 / item
H 21.66 in Dm 19.69 in
Modern Aire Marble Side Table, Nero Marquina, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Aire Marble Side Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Aire marble side table stands out as a bold expression of modern sophisti...
Marble, Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel
$2,158 / item
H 15.75 in Dm 13 in
Contemporary Pico Nero Marquina Marble Side Table, Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Contemporary Pico Marble Side Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Pico marble side table draws inspiration from the striking landscap...
Marble, Travertine, Stone, Brass, Stainless Steel
$5,756 / item
H 13.78 in Dm 43.31 in
Art Deco Rubi Coffee Table Nero Marquina Marble Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By Greenapple, GF Modern
Located in Lisboa, PT
Rubi coffee table, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. Like a startling ruby ring, our magnificent Rubi side table follows the Art Deco style by repr...
Onyx, Travertine, Marble, Gold Leaf
Italian Neo-Classic White Marble Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Neo-classic (18th Century) center table with 2 white marble bases having carved winged lions and claw feet centering a rouge & Siena marble rondel...
Marble
Famed Brass and Marble Coffee Table
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Famed coffee table, glorified by elegant brass legs, prove that every place can wink at its style with its natural marble and wood options. The designs that instantly add modernity t...
Marble, Brass
Cerused Oak Coffee Table, France, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Cerused oak coffee table with contrasting trim, France, 1950s. Dimensions: 36 x 20 x 19.5 H.
Oak
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
Italian Mid-Century Dark Wood Coffee Table, 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Gian Franco Frattini
Located in Milan, IT
Italian mid-century dark wood coffee table 1950s Mid century incredible wooden coffee table with a warm dark colour. Extremely sturdy an...
Wood
$3,357 / item
H 20.48 in Dm 19.69 in
Art Deco Pyrite Marble Side Table, Green Crystal, Handmade by Greenapple
By GF Modern, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Art Deco Pyrite Marble Side Table, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Pyrite marble side table is a striking fusion of geometry and elegance. Defi...
Onyx, Travertine, Marble
$1,851 / item
H 13.78 in W 47.25 in D 27.56 in
Organic Modern Center Table Jean in Natural Marble Stone Off-white, Black, Pink
Located in Lisbon, PT
Jean oval center table is unique in its conception with Organic Modern inspiration. The combination of three different Natural Stone Marbles like Estremoz marble, Nero Marquina and Estremoz Pink marble makes this piece a sign of nonconformity and originality. Natural Stone is unrepeatable in its individuality, this way each Jean center table is unique featuring the marbles natural veins, textures and tone nuances. Open since 1997 and based in Lisbon, Portugal, a country with a long crafts tradition, Mambo Unlimited Ideas' design team researches for innovation and creativity developments around the world while embracing the crafts heritage, creating contemporary pieces combining traditional Portuguese materials and handmade techniques producing original, high quality products. Mambo Unlimited Ideas is dedicated to furniture and upholstery. Its collection offers a comprehensive customizable furniture...
Marble
Sold
H 13.78 in W 46.46 in D 23.63 in
Jacques Adnet French Coffee Table for Hermès, Leather, Steel, Crystal, 1950
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind piece, unique, leather, steel and crystal coffee table designed by Jacques Adnet (1900-1984), who was a French Art Deco modernist designer, architect and interior designer. He was known for his furniture designs in leather. He works for the Hermès French House during the 1950 He died in 1984 having created a legacy of fine design that feels modern even today. This piece was made for order of Hermès...
Crystal, Steel
Tubular Steel and Glass Bauhaus Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
Made in Germany circa 1920, this metal table is realized in typical Bauhaus fashion, with blended geometries, complex yet intelligible. Developing the ubiquitous materials of industr...
Steel
Bauhaus Round Center Table Birch and Black Kelko on Four Chrome Legs
By BIGLA
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Bauhaus round center table birch and black kelko on four chrome legs.
Chrome
Vintage Chrome and Glass Table - Takehiko Mizutani MZ59
Located in Highclere, Newbury
Vintage Takehiko Mizutani MZ510 Bauhaus chrome and glass table designed in 1928. Originally designed in 1928 by Takehiko Mizutani (who was ...
Chrome
Minimalist Tubular Steel Table in the Style of Marcel Breuer
By Marcel Breuer, Bauhaus
Located in Rochester, NY
Silver gray finish tubular steel table with original orange painted wood top. Beautiful minimalist asymmetrical sculptural form in the Dutch Modern...
Bauhaus Art Deco Center Table Oak
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Original German Bauhaus table from the 1920. 100% original condition, only table top cleaned and lightly french polished. base is all original. patinated iron tubes. with: 31.5 in...
Iron