Best known for his sleek, Bauhaus style, designer Robert Slezák was a pioneer in the manufacturing of chrome and bent-metal furniture during the early 20th century.
Born in the town of Bystřice pod Hostýnem in today’s Czech Republic, Slezák originally trained as a locksmith and in 1908 established a locksmith’s workshop in his hometown. What began as a small business providing common locksmith products grew into the Slezák Factory, which made brass fittings for furniture and buildings. In 1911, Slezák became one of the first manufacturers in Europe to use a galvanic coating of copper, chromium and nickel on the surface of his products.
Starting in 1913, Slezák focused on designing and producing brass and metal furniture with wood accents, like chairs, beds and tables. By the 1930s, Slezák’s furniture style began to evolve towards mid-century modern and Bauhaus design, leading to streamlined and tubular three-seat sofas, stools, bent-metal chairs, wood and chrome coffee tables, desks, lighting and cabinets. During this time, Slezák also collaborated with the Czech furniture company Ton N.P. Bystřice pod Hostýnem on pieces including his Bauhaus chrome and walnut side table.
After 1948, Slezák’s firm became part of the Kovona furniture-making company, which continued to produce and recreate Slezák’s designs from the 1950s to the 1980s. Since 1992, the Czech furniture manufacturer has been known as Kovonax.
Today, Slezák’s designs remain highly sought after by interior designers and collectors of mid-century and Bauhaus furniture.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Robert Slezák seating, tables, lighting and more.
Pair of B 34 armchairs by Marcel Breuer for Samal & co. 1930s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Marcel Breuer's iconic B 34 chair is reimagined here in a variation by Antonín Šámal and produced by Šámal & Co. in Prague during the 1930s, in the former Czechoslovakia. These r...
Steel, Chrome
Bauhaus tubular steel armchair by F. Langer for SAB, 1930s
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Bauhaus tubular steel armchair, designed by František Langer and manufactured by SAB Prague in former Czechoslovakia during the 1930s under catalogue number 523. This rare outdoor va...
Steel, Chrome
Mid Century No.515 armchair by Oswald Haerdtl for Thonet/TON
By TON a.s., Oswald Haerdtl
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
An iconic beech wood armchair designed by renowned Austrian architect Oswald Haerdtl for the Thonet successor, Ton, in 1950. Produced under catalog number 515, the chair has been ful...
Beech
Jindřich Halabala Adjustable H 70 Lounge Armchair in Cream Bouclé, 1930s
By Up Závody, Jindřich Halabala
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
This rare reclining armchair, model H 70, was designed in the 1930s by Jindřich Halabala—one of the most influential figures of European interwar modernism. Manufactured by UP Závody...
Bentwood
Original "Stuns" armchair by Jan Dranger and Johan Huldt for Innovator, 1970s
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Designed by Swedish design favourites of the 50s and 60s, Johan Huldt and Jan Dranger, these chairs were built to be an ode to the DIY ethos, thanks to their industrial yet youthful aesthetic through canvas and steel tubes. The chairs were made in yellow, orange, green, brown and black. In 1968, Huldt and Dranger established the company Innovator. In the early 1970s, Dranger and Huldt were very successful with furniture in strong steel tubes and lamps of an industrial character, painted in strong colours. A big seller was the Stuns chair...
Steel
FK6725 Tulip chair by Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm
By Walter Knoll, Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Designed by Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm for Alfred Kill International in 1960s, manufactured by Walter Knoll. Made of fiberglass shell covered by white leather on aluminum tripod base. In a good original condition with common traces of wear and age. Leather clean...
Aluminum
Bauhaus Cesca B64 Armchair by Marcel Breuer, Italy 1928
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Italy / 1930 / chair / Marcel Breuer / Cesca B64 / Tubular Steel, wood and Rattan / Bauhaus An iconic Cesca armchair, based on the groundbreaking design by Marcel Breuer in 1928, on...
Steel
Marcel Breuer B34 Tubular Armchair 1930s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Čelinac, BA
Marcel Breuer B34 Armchair 1930s
Chrome
Cesca Armchair by Marcel Breuer, 1928
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A minimal Cesca armchair designed by Marcel Breuer featuring caned seat and back on a cantilevered tubular chrome frame. Originally from the Levy House...
Metal
Cesca Armchair by Marcel Breuer for Knoll, Mid-Century Modern Design
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Centreville, VA
The Cesca Armchair, designed by modernist pioneer Marcel Breuer and produced by Knoll, is an iconic fusion of innovation, craftsmanship, and timeless design. Introduced in 1928, the ...
Steel
Marcel Breuer b34 Chair 1930s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Čelinac, BA
Marcel Breuer B34 chair was made in Czechoslovakia in 1930 for Bata Snofmaner store.
Formica
Armchair in the style of Breuer for Thonet - circa 1990
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Modernist Armchair in the style of Breuer for Thonet - circa 1990 B35 Marcel Breuer - Thonet - chrome tubular Measures : 62,5x75cm H:88cm SH:34cm Materials : Beech - Chrome - Rattan...
Chrome
