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.
White Bauhaus Writing Desk Made in 1930s Germany, Restored
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
The desk has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process. The chrome parts have been cleaned a...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by R. Slezák, Chrome, Steel, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This writing desk is a fantastic example of interwar functionalism and Bauhaus style design from the 1930s. It was manufactured in Czechoslovakia by the renowned Robert Slezák compan...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk With Chair, Chrome, Steel, Wood, Czech, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
It has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process. The chrome parts have been cleaned and pr...
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, Chromed Steel, Lacquered Wood, Germany, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This visually clean and shape-inventive writing desk in the spirit of Bauhaus functionalism dates from the 1930s in Germany. The architectural concept of the entire piece is built up...
Chrome, Steel
Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by Robert Slezák, Oak, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant writing desk is a premier example of Bauhaus functionalist design, dating back to 1930s Czechoslovakia. It was manufactured in the renowned Robert Slezák factory, one of...
Steel, Chrome
Oak Writing Desk Made in 1930s Czechia by Robert Slezak, Bauhaus Style, Restored
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Manufactured by Robert Slezak factory, in the 1930s. Wood is completely restored. The original veneer is preserved. Tubular steel with ...
Chrome
Paul McCobb Style Mid-Century Modern White Painted Desk
By Paul McCobb
Located in Astoria, NY
Paul McCobb Style White Painted Wood Desk, the two drawers with gilt porcelain pulls above tapered flaring legs. 29.25" H x 48" W x 24" D. Provenance: From an East 79th Street Estate.
Wood, Paint
Mid-Century MOD Jean Maneval Inspired Chunky White Desk with Rolling Storage
By Jean Maneval
Located in Los Angeles, CA
MOD Jean Maneval inspired white laminate desk with a two drawer rolling storage cabinet. In original condition with visible wear, discoloration and...
Fiberglass
Swedish Functionalist Writing Desk, Bauhaus-Inspired, Mid-20th Century
Located in Balen, BE
This striking Swedish writing desk dates from the late 1930s to 1940s and reflects the Functionalist design language that emerged in Scandinavia during the interwar period, influence...
Steel
Mid Century Clifford Pascoe White Laminate Desk with Hairpin Iron Base, 1950's
By Clifford Pascoe
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Clifford Pascoe was a notable American mid-century modern furniture designer, active primarily in the 1950s and 1960s. His work is best known for its minimalist, industrial-inspired ...
Iron
American Post-War Desk, White Painted Wood with Chrome X Base, 1950s
Located in Queens, NY
American Post-War Design white painted wood table desk with drawers and supported on 2 chrome "X" form bases. (Desk in need of full restoration) Metal frame has very light scratchin...
Wood
Midcentury "Platone" White Folding Desk by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, 1970s
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in Roma, IT
Lovely white "Platone" folding desk. Designed by the visionary Giancarlo Piretti and produced by Anonima Castelli in Italy during the 1970s. The desk is signed on the bottom. In brand new condition, this desk has never been used and is a new old stock. The Platone desk was designed to be presented as a set with the Plia chair. It is also held in the permanent collection of the MoMa in NYC. Its ingenious three-disc mechanism, a signature feature of Piretti’s bestsellers, reaches its boldest expression in the Platone. The white top is a perfect match with the bold design of this little table, with the metal structure sustaining the table on one side. Platone is built to last and integrates seamlessly into any modern or vintage interior. This stylish desk could function perfectly in a modern or midcentury style children's room or office. Dimension (cm): Width - 82 Depth - 64 Height - 69 Italian interior and industrial designer Giancarlo Piretti was born in 1940 in Bologna. He obtained his teaching degree in drawing at the Art Institute of Bologna (dates unknown), and continued his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna in 1960. From 1963 until 1970, he taught interior design at the Art Institute of Bologna. Sometime in the 1960s, Piretti also joined Italian design company Castelli as an interior designer, creating home furniture and office furnishings. During his twelve years at Castelli, Piretti obtained numerous industrial patents for his designs, which were mostly chairs. Piretti’s work for Castelli garnered the company an international reputation in furniture design. His most well-known design is the plastic folding Plia Chair (1968), which has sold over seven million copies since 1969 and is still in production. It won the BIO 5 distinction and the SMAU prize at the Ljubljana Biennial in 1971, Germany’s Gute Form prize in 1973, and can be found in permanent collections in various museums world-wide, including Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia and the United States. In 1969 the complementary Plia Table...
Metal, Aluminum, Steel
