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.
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
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
$6,336Sale Price / item|20% Off
Artsy Marquetry In Vij En Center Table Wood Made in Portugal by Malabar
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Cubism’s father, Pablo Picasso, was famous for his eagerness to emerge. After inventing Analytic Cubism, Picasso kept experimenting, helping invent what became known as Synthetic Cub...
Ash, Oak, Walnut
Marcel Breuer Wood and Steel Table by Gavina, circa 1960
By Gavina, Marcel Breuer
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Marcel Breuer in early 20th century. Manufactured by Gavina, Italy, circa 1960. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a...
Steel
$11,232Sale Price|20% Off
21st Century Op-Art Center Table Graphic marquetry pattern by Malabar
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Optical art, often referred to as OP art, is a captivating form of artistic expression that harnesses geometric shapes, patterns, and optical illusions to create visually stunning an...
Brass
$11,232Sale Price / item|20% Off
21st Century Op-Art Center Table Graphic Marquetry Pattern by Malabar
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Optical art, often referred to as OP art, is a captivating form of artistic expression that harnesses geometric shapes, patterns, and optical illusions to create visually stunning an...
Brass
$11,232Sale Price / item|20% Off
21st Century Op-Art Center Table Graphic marquetry pattern by Malabar
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Optical art, often referred to as OP art, is a captivating form of artistic expression that harnesses geometric shapes, patterns, and optical illusions to create visually stunning an...
Brass
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
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
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
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 Side 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
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
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
$7,097 / 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 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
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
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
$13,708Sale Price / item|20% Off
21st Century La Toile Center Table Alicante Marble and Travertine by Malabar
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Not reflecting any explicit object from reality, abstract art evokes emotions from viewers through the use of colors, lines, and shapes. So benefit from the Malabar designers' ability to mix different colors and textures to create a creative composition, this unmissable art-filled center table was conceived. Playful as artistic, living between the design and the art world, viewed from the top, this future classic center table looks like a real abstract hand-painting. The La Toile center table...
Travertine, Marble, Brass
$18,316Sale Price / item|20% Off
21st Century Walnut Horizon Center Table Set Handmade in Portugal by Malabar
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Malabar designed the Horizon center table to honor the discovery times and to remember the Portuguese maritime navigators that discovered unknown lands. These were Portugal's gloriou...
Marble
$4,064 / 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
$4,064 / 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
$12,362Sale 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
$5,744
H 15.75 in Dm 23.63 in
Lessa, 21st Century European Side Table Designed by Studio Rig Travertino Wood
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Lessa - 21st century European center table Designed by Studio Rig Travertino Wood Collector brand was born and Portugal and aims to be part of daily life...
Travertine
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
$1,400Sale Price|50% Off
H 29 in Dm 44 in
Hollywood Regency Scrolled Steel And Marble Round Dining Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This impressive craftsman made Hollywood Regency, round marble dining or center table with a decorative steel base is circa the 1960s. The table features a rich white and gray veined...
Marble, Brass, Steel
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 19th Century Marquetry Inlay Round Center Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Italian 19th century inlaid walnut and birch center table with geometric marquetry decorating the top in concentric circles of mesmerizing patterns around a central medallion of thre...
Birch, Walnut
French art deco marquetry center table, 1930s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Elegant art deco center table or dining table with marquetry inlay top and a tripod base. The beautiful mix of colours and types of wood makes this piece very attractive. It comes ...
Wood
Vintage Marquetry Octagonal Wood Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This octagonal table is an exquisite example of vintage marquetry, crafted from richly patinated wood with an intricate starburst inlay at the tabletop's center surrounded by concent...
Wood
19th century carved walnut marquetry center table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century carved walnut center table with inlay circa 1870. We are pleased to offer this stunning center table of generous proportions. Circular top with scalloped moulded edge....
Walnut
American Classical Style Solid Pine and Brass Pedestal Center Table
Located in Germantown, MD
American Classical style solid pine and brass pedestal quad feet center table. Top will come off for easy handling or storage. Measuring 36 i...
Brass
$11,251 / item
H 13.78 in Dm 47.25 in
21st Century Art Déco Elie Saab Maison Dunes Glass Bronzed Coffee Table, Italy
Located in Mariano Comense, CO
21st century Art Déco Elie Saab Maison Dunes glass bronzed coffee table, Italy. Inspired by the harmonious forms of the dunes of the Arabian desert, the Dunes coffee table...
Brass
$1,000
H 18 in W 21.5 in D 18.75 in
Marcel Breuer for Gavina / Knoll International White Mica Laccio End
By Marcel Breuer, Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
American International-Style (circa 1924) 'Laccio' end / occasional table with a white mica top supported on a chrome plated steel tube frame. (matching coffee table: DUF0019A) (MARC...
Metal, Chrome
1960 Marcel Breuer Gavina Bauhaus Design B9 Table
By Marcel Breuer, Gavina
Located in Brescia, IT
B9 Table Marcel Breuer Gavina 1960 Chrome Metal and Black Laminate Wood Sticker Label "Gavina" under the top Iconic Bauhaus table First edition by Gavina, Italy Very Good Condicti...
Chrome
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