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.
$6,778 / item
H 29.53 in W 76.78 in D 33.47 in
Art Deco-Streamline Tubular Steel Couch / Daybed, Fabric Upholstery, ca. 1930
Located in Berlin, DE
This original tubular steel couch/daybed in Art Deco-Streamline Design is restored on request and available in different amounts. Production time: c. 10 weeks.
Steel, Chrome
$3,230
H 25.6 in W 74.81 in D 31.5 in
Bauhaus Chrome Sofa with Original Upholstery by Hynek Gottwald, Prague 1930s
Located in Almelo, NL
Bauhaus Chrome Sofa with Original Upholstery by Hynek Gottwald, Prague 1930s This is a Bauhaus chrome sofa designed by Hynek Gottwald, crafted in Prague during the 1930s. It feature...
Chrome
$4,021
H 30.71 in W 74.02 in D 33.47 in
Bauhaus Tubular Steel Couch / Daybed by Rudolf Slezák, Czechoslovakia, ca. 1934
By Robert Slezák
Located in Berlin, DE
This Bauhaus tubular steel couch was produced circa 1934 by the Czechoslovak manufacturer Rudolf Slezák as a company design. The piece reflects the functional and reduced design prin...
Steel, Chrome, Iron
$6,778 / item
H 29.53 in W 76.78 in D 33.47 in
Modernist Tubular Steel Couch/ Daybed, Chromed Metal, Fabric Upholstery, c. 1930
Located in Berlin, DE
This original tubular steel Couch / Daybed in Art Deco - Streamline Design is restored on request and available in different amounts. Delivery tim...
Steel, Chrome
$7,467
H 29.53 in W 76.78 in D 29.53 in
Tubular Steel Daybed / Couch by Hynek Gottwald – Czechoslovakia, 1930s
By Hana Kucerova-Zaveska
Located in Berlin, DE
This rare tubular steel daybed or sofa was produced in the 1930s by Hynek Gottwald in former Czechoslovakia and represents an outstanding example of early modernist furniture design....
Steel, Chrome
$7,103 / item
H 29.53 in W 76.78 in D 33.47 in
Art Deco Streamline Tubular Steel Couch/ Daybed, Leather Upholstery, circa 1930
Located in Berlin, DE
This original Art Deco - Streamline Couch/ Daybed is restored on request and available in different amounts. Delivery time c. 12 weeks.
Metal, Chrome
Chrome Bauhaus Robert Slezák 3-Seat Sofa, 1940s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of chrome, fabric - Original upholstery - Dimensions of mattress: W 185cm x D 83cm - Good, original condition.
Chrome
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 56 in D 39 in
Sensational Roger Sprunger Thick Chrome Tube Loveseat Settee Mid-century Modern
By Roger Sprunger
Located in Pemberton, NJ
What an exceptional design! You don't hear much about Roger Sprunger, but he was at the forefront of American mid-century design being a resident designer at Dunbar for over 25 years...
Chrome
Bauhaus Sofa by Hynek Gottwald, Circa 1930s
By Hynek Gottwald
Located in Gloucester, GB
Bauhaus sofa by Hynek Gottwald, Circa 1930s - Chromed tubular steel frame - Sprung seat - Upholstered in deep blue velvet - By Hynek Gottwald - Czech ~ 1930s - 195cm long x 85cm dee...
Steel
$2,750
H 32 in W 88.5 in D 36 in
Larry Laslo for Directional Red Modern Italian Bauhaus Style Chrome Leg Sofa
By Larry Laslo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Larry Laslo for Directional Red Modern Italian Bauhaus Style Chrome Leg Sofa. Item features 6 chrome metal legs, red microfiber upholstery, original label, clean modernist lines, sle...
Chrome
Red High-Quality Leather Bauhaus Sofa by Thonet, Chrome, Fully Restored, 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Red high-quality leather Bauhaus sofa with chrome tubular steel frame. Period : 1930-1939. Source : Czechia (Czechoslovakia). Maker : Thonet Material : Beech, high-quality leat...
Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Sofa, by R. Slezák, Chromed Steel, Leather, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Bring the absolute pinnacle of interwar avant-garde and the embodiment of pure design luxury into your interior through this breathtaking, highly sophisticated sofa, born in the 1930...
Chrome, Steel
Restored Bauhaus Sofa, by Robert Slezák, Chromed Steel, Leather, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
If you are looking for an original piece of furniture with a clear historical signature for your interior, this 1930s sofa represents an ideal ch...
Chrome, Steel
Fully Restored Red Bauhaus Sofa, High-Quality Leather, Tubular Chrome, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Fully restored red Bauhaus sofa with chrome tubular steel frame. Period: 1930-1939 Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Material: high-quality leather...
Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Sofa, by Robert Slezák, Chromed Steel, Leather, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Immerse yourself in the fascinating heritage of interwar avant-garde through this breathtaking, highly sophisticated sofa, born in the 1930s in Czechoslovakia in the workshop of the ...
Chrome, Steel
Restored Bauhaus Sofa, by Robert Slezák, Chromed Steel, Leather, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Grant your living space a touch of supreme elegance and functionalist nobility with this magnificent sofa, born in the 1930s in Czechoslovakia. The production of this iconic piece wa...
Chrome, Steel
