Elegance describes the designs of Jan Vanek.
Influenced by his family’s furniture company, Vandek studied woodworking. Following a stint in Germany, where he advanced his skills at established firms in Munich, Stuttgart and Heilbronn, he returned home to the former Czechoslovakia and took over the family business, which in 1920 became known as Spojené Uměleckoprůmyslové Závody, or UP Závody.
Vanek's early friendships and collaborations with architectural and design greats like Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Adolf Loos and others likely had much to do with his graceful style, best exemplified by his 1930s bentwood chairs, with the arabesque curves of their arms and legs conjoining to form open, dynamic loops.
True to Czech standards for uniformity, Vanek scarcely altered the design over decades of production, though he did gradually modernize his frames: His 1950s models are more angular, industrialized — and very definitely modern.
Find a collection of vintage Jan Vanek furniture today on 1stDibs.
Restored Mid-Century Sofa, by Miroslav Navrátil, Lacquered Wood, Czech, 1960s
By Miroslav Navratil
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Designer: Miroslav Navrátil This design convertible sofa, which bears the unmistakable signature of the prominent Czechoslovak designer Miroslav Navrátil, was designed and manufactu...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
1930s Bauhaus Sofa Made by Hynek Gottwald, Czechia, Restored and Reupholstered
By Hynek Gottwald
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
Restored Midcentury Sofa, Miroslav Navratil, Lacquered Wood, Czechia, 1960s
By Miroslav Navratil
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Midcentury Sofa Designed By Miroslav Navratil Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1960-1969 Material: Lacquered Wood Ou...
Wood, Fabric
Restored Bauhaus Sofa, by Robert Slezak, Beech, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This Bauhaus-style sofa originates from the first half of the 20th century and was manufactured by Robert Slezák. The frame is made of tubular chrome-plated steel, which has been exp...
Chrome, Steel
Restored Bauhaus Sofa, by Robert Slezak, Chrome, Beech, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Bauhaus sofa from the 1930s is an exceptional example of Czechoslovak functionalist design. It was produced by the renowned Slezákovy závody and has been meticulously re...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Mid-Century Chaise Lounge, by Jan Vaněk, Beech, Czech, 1950s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Breathe timeless elegance and the clean lightness of Mid-Century design into your interior through this magnificent chaise longue, born in the 1950s in Czechoslovakia. The design of ...
Fabric, Beech, Oak, Lacquer
Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Sofa by Jan Bočan, Czech Republic, 1970s
By Jan Bočan
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Sofa by Jan Bočan, Czech Republic, 1970s This striking bentwood two-seater sofa was designed by renowned Czech architect and designer Jan Bočan in the 19...
Upholstery, Bentwood
Midcentury Sofa Dreisitzer Couch Eiche Vintage danish design
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Vintage Sofa aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Dreisitzer verfügt über ein aufgearbeitetes Holzgestell aus hochwertigem, geölten Eichenholz, währ...
Oak
1950s Danish Sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Victoria, BC
A rare and elegant sofa by Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, showcasing the refined proportions and architectural clarity that define his early Danish modern work. The sculptural frame, angled ...
Wood
Mid-Century Two-Seat Sofa, Senator Series, Teak Couch by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher, France & Søn
Located in München, BY
Elegant Mid-Century modern two-seater sofa by Ole Wanscher, produced by France & Son (Cado) as part of the iconic Senator series. Made in Denmark during the 1960s, it is a refined ex...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Original Midcentury Sofa Teak Vintage danish design 1960 MCM
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes und äußerst seltenes Vintage Sofa aus den 1950er/60er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Die Polster verfügen über einen modernen dunkelblauen Bezug, der farblich pe...
Fabric, Teak
Midcentury Sofa France & Søn Couch Ole Wanscher Dreisitzer teak
By France & Søn, France & Daverkosen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Teakholz Dreisitzer Sofa von France & Son aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Möbel besticht durch seine minimalistische Formgebung, wurde prof...
Teak
