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.
Modernist Cabinet Made Of Chrome Plated Metal And Walnut Veneer, c. 1930
By Robert Slezák
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist Cabinet made of chrome plated metal and walnut veneer. Designed and manufactured by Robert Slezak, c. 1930. Restored on request. Delivery time c. 12-15 weeks.
Metal, Chrome
Modernist Two Door Wardrobe, Chrome Plated Metal and Walnut Veneer, circa 1930
By Hermann John Hagemann
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist two door wardrobe designed by Hermann John Hagemann and manufactured by Thonet or Mücke-Melder, c. 1930. The wardrobe is made of chrome plated tubular steel and walnut vene...
Metal, Chrome
Modernist Three Door Wardrobe, Chrome Plated Metal and Walnut Veneer, circa 1930
By Hermann John Hagemann
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist Wardrobe designed by Hermann John Hagemann and manufactured by Thonet or Mücke-Melder, circa 1930. The wardrobe is made of chrome plated tubular steel and walnut veneered w...
Metal, Chrome
Bauhaus Four Door Wardrobe, Walnut Veneer, Chrome Plated Metal, Made-to-Measure
By Hermann John Hagemann, GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Made-to-measure Bauhaus wardrobe designed by Hermann John Hagemann and Manufactured by GMD Berlin. The four door wardrobe is made of chrome plated metal and walnut veneer.
Metal, Chrome
Bespoke Modernist Four Door Sideboard in Walnut Veneer and Chrome Plated Metal
By Rudolf Vichr, GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Customized four-door sideboard, manufactured by GMD Berlin, exclusively presented in our Rudolf Vichr Collection. These high-quality, handmade furniture in a classic modern timele...
Metal, Chrome
Modernist Four Door Sideboard, Veneered Wood, Chrome Plated Metal, Customizable
By GMD Berlin, Rudolf Vichr
Located in Berlin, DE
Bespoke modernist four-door sideboard, veneered wood, chrome plated metal.
Metal, Chrome
Walnut Bauhaus Wardrobe Made in Czechia by Robert Slezak, 1930-1939
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Original walnut wardrobe made in Czechia by Robert Slezak Period: 1930-1939 Condition: Original Material: Walnut and Chrome-plated steel.
Steel, Chrome
Hynek Gottwald Bauhaus Oak Wardrobe with Chromed Tubular Legs, 1930s
By Hynek Gottwald
Located in Żory, PL
Original Bauhaus wardrobe designed by Hynek Gottwald, manufactured in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s/1940s. Features three doors, two interior clothing rails, two shelves, and the i...
Steel, Chrome
1940s Bauhaus-Inspired Wardrobe by Hynek Gottwald – Czechoslovakia
By Hynek Gottwald
Located in Żory, PL
A functional wardrobe designed in the spirit of Bauhaus modernism by Hynek Gottwald, produced in Czechoslovakia during the 1940s. The piece combines utilitarian design with a clean i...
Steel
John Hagemann Three-Door Walnut Wardrobe for Thonet-Mundus, Early 1930s
By Hermann John Hagemann
Located in Berlin, DE
Designed by Prof. John Hagemann for Thonet-Mundus in the early 1930s, this rare three-door wardrobe is an outstanding example of Central European Classical Modernism. Hermann John Ha...
Metal, Steel
Restored Bauhaus Wardrobe, by Vichr a spol., Chrome, Steel, Oak, Czech, 1930s
By Vichr & Spol
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant three-door wardrobe is a representative piece from the renowned manufacturer Vichr a spol. in Lysá nad Labem, originating from 1940s Czechoslovakia. The structure is cra...
Steel, Chrome
Walnut Bauhaus Wardrobe Made in Czechia by Vichr a Spol, 1930-1939
By Vichr & Spol
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Original walnut wardrobe made in Czechia by Vichr a Spol. Period: 1930-1939. Condition: Original. Material: Walnut and Chrome-plated steel.
Chrome
