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.
$500Sale Price|66% Off
Modernist Coffee Table by Jan Vaněk for Krásná Jizba
By Jan Vanek, Krasna JIzba
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Rare sculptural coffee table designed by Czech architect Jan Vanek for Krásná Jizba, Czechoslovakia in late 40's. Made of beech wood and very thick heavy glass. In very good original...
Glass, Wood
$533Sale Price|41% Off
Modernist oak side table by Jan Vaněk for Krásná Jizba
By Jan Vanek, Krasna JIzba
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Designed by duo of Czech architects Jan Vaněk and Ladislav Bartoníček for Krásná Jizba / Družstevní práce, Czechoslovakia 1947. Made of solid oak wood and oak veneer. In good origina...
Oak
Brown Jan Vanek Nest Tables Made in 1930s Czechia, Art Deco
By Jan Vanek
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Sold as a set. The tables have been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process. This item fe...
Oak
Modernist Cocktail Table by Guy Lefevre for Maison Jansen
By Maison Jansen, Guy Lefevre
Located in New York, NY
A modernist cocktail table designed by Guy Lefevre for Maison Jansen. Brushed nickel with a smoked glass top.
Stainless Steel
French 1930’s Modernist low coffee table
Located in London, GB
A very good French Modernist polished solid and veneered oak low circular coffee table.
Oak
Art Deco Walnut Folding Lamp Table 1930s
Located in Dereham, GB
Art Deco Walnut Folding Lamp Table 1930s Circular top,Dia 20.5cm Half Moon loop & platform Supporting folding Circular Shaped Pedestal Base, Platform Base Block Shaped Feet REG...
Walnut
Dutch Art Deco circular Coffee or Side Table in Oak, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Round Art Deco Coffee Table or Side Table from an unknown Dutch manufacturer, 1930s. Solid and very sturdy oak frame. Veneered tabletops with solid oak, hollow-profiled edges. Beauti...
Oak
$1,862
H 14.57 in W 26.78 in D 24.81 in
Sculptural Coffee Table, Side Table, Rustic, Burnt Wood, Black, Oak Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved coffee table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade desi...
Wood, Oak
$1,400 / item
H 17.72 in W 9.85 in D 17.72 in
Porto Side Table, High, by Rain, Contemporary Side Table, Ebonized Oak
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The collection has rounded lines that look for inspiration in the anchor elements present in the ports. The weight and scale of this elements guide t...
Wood
Art Deco Side Table / Dry Bar Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Larsson
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Sophisticated and crafted coffee/side or dry bar table made in the 1930s Sweden. The table is made with two doors and two drawers together with shelves. ITs made in veneer of mahog...
Glass, Birch, Mahogany
$2,573 / item
H 17.72 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
“Portico Side Table” Collectible Riuvina Marble Side Table by Aparentment
By Josep Vila Capdevila
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Portico Side Table is a sculptural object inspired by the enduring architecture of the Mediterranean. Defined by its solid geometry and monolithic presence, the piece functions a...
Marble
$4,421
H 22.45 in Dm 42.92 in
Modernist teak and beech coffee table by Kurt Østervig for Jason, Denmark, 1950s
By Kurt Østervig, Jason Ringsted
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Coffee table designed by Kurt Østervig for Jason Ringsted in 1953. Three sculptural legs in beech with a table top of beautiful teak. Legs may be un...
Beech, Teak
$2,618
H 23.63 in W 29.53 in D 21.66 in
Art Deco Modernist Coffee Table In the style of Fer Semey, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Art Deco Modernist coffee table. Design in the style of Fer Semey for Pander Den Haag. Striking Dutch design from the 1930s. Solid walnut base on original black ...
Walnut
$4,625
H 21.86 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Very Elegant Art Deco Coffee Table in Wrought Iron and Marble 1930s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Very elegant art deco coffee table in patinated wrought iron and white marble. Europe, 1930s. This coffee table is really a wonderful piece. Breathtakingly beautiful base in wrough...
Marble, Wrought Iron
$1,500
H 20.5 in Dm 28.75 in
1930s Art Deco Shanghai Coffee Table Made of Varnished Elm with Quadripod Base
Located in Yonkers, NY
This unusual round coffee table is made of varnished elm and was carved in Shanghai in an uncommon Art Deco style. The circular top is made of two elm planks and varnished with a war...
Elm