Thanks to design lovers’ enthusiasm for Art Deco and mid-century modern furniture, and the increasingly competitive market for pieces by more famous creators, 20th-century Czech designers are making their way back onto the international stage. Foremost among these talents is Jindřich Halabala.
Halabala was one of the leading designers of a particularly rich period in Czech furniture history, when pieces were defined by Bauhaus functionalism as well as Art Deco influences. He was a cabinetmaker’s son whose training was almost wholly focused on woodwork, first at a state-run vocational school for woodworking in Valašské Meziříčí and later at UP Závody in Brno, where he ultimately became chief designer.
Halabala's alluring bentwood H chairs, such as the H269 and H237, and stylized ottomans have become classics, while his 1930s and 1940s sofas, tables and storage cabinets, with their sweeping curves, stylized geometry and dark, richly grained wood, embody the best of Art Deco furniture design, a style that was brought to worldwide attention at an exhibition in Paris in 1925.
Halabala's work, which was manufactured by the likes of Thonet and UP Závody, is seen by some as the segue between early 1900s Czech Cubism and the modern style that dominated the mid-century years.
Find a collection of vintage Jindřich Halabala furniture today on 1stDibs.
Restored Art Deco Writing Desk, J. Halabala, UP Zavody, Oak, Beech, Czech, 1930s
By Jindřich Halabala, Up Závody
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant writing desk, designed in the Art Deco style, comes from Czechoslovakia from the first half of the 20th century. Made of blockboard veneered with oak and solid beech, it...
Brass
Freestanding Czech Art Deco Chrome Writing Desk H - 178 by Jindrich Halabala
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in Wien, AT
Rare model from UP Zavody and even then the most expensive desk from the entire production. Craftsmanship to perfection and a distinctive Caucasian walnut veneer make the H-178 a tot...
Chrome
Art Deco Writing Desk Designed by Czech Architect Jindřich Halabala, 1930s
By Up Závody, Jindřich Halabala
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
One of the most successful writing desk made in United Arts & Crafts Manufacture (UP) in Brno. Designed by Czech architect Jindrich Halabala. Original really good condition. Mater...
Oak, Lacquer, Walnut
$4,890 / item
Bauhaus Table by Jindrich Halabala for Up Zavody
By Up Závody, Jindřich Halabala
Located in Vienna, AT
Softwood covered with walnut veneer with drawer designed by Jindrich Halabala in the late 1930s for UP Zavody.
Walnut, Softwood
$840 / set
H 23.23 in W 20.08 in D 14.57 in
Set of Two Night Stands by Jindřich Halabala for UP Zavody, 1939s
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in Praha, CZ
- hand painted - cleaned
Wood
Sold|$1,588 / set
H 22.05 in W 18.9 in D 15.75 in
Set of Two Bedside Tables Designed by Jindřich Halabala for UP Závody, 1950's
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in Praha, CZ
- made in Czechoslovakia - made of wood, glass - glass has some signs use (scratch) - good, original condition.
Glass, Wood
Art Deco Heals Of London Compact Walnut Desk 1930s
Located in Norwich, England
A compact and beautifully proportioned Art Deco walnut desk by Heal's of London. Labelled. Circa 1930. An excellent quality desk made in solid and veneered walnut, the top having hi...
Walnut
Elegant French Art Deco Desk circa 1930s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant French Art Deco Desk, France, circa 1930s. Stylish tapered leg form with geometric inlaid design between the drawers. Two deep locking drawers provide ample storage and it re...
Metal
$700
H 25.6 in W 20.87 in D 14.77 in
Restored Art Deco Side Table, by J. Halabala for UP Závody, Beech, Czech, 1930s
By Jindřich Halabala, Up Závody
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This table is an elegant example of 1930s Czechoslovak design, created by one of the most prominent architects of the era, Jindřich Halabala. It was manufactured by the famous UP Záv...
Lacquer, Wood, Beech
Art Deco Style Blonde Wood Writing Desk, after Donald Deskey
Located in Astoria, NY
Art Deco Style Blonde Wood Writing Desk, after Donald Deskey (American, 1894-1989), with glass top above central long drawer flanked by banks of four drawers. 29.75" H x 76.75" W x ...
Wood
Scandinavian birch Art Deco pedestal writing desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Scandinavian birch art deco pedestal desk circa 1930. We are pleased to offer this stunning Swedish birch desk from the art deco period, comprising...
Birch, Oak
$4,484Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 66.93 in D 34.26 in
Swedish Art Nouveau Kidney-Shaped Oak Writing Desk, Circa 1930
Located in Madrid, ES
Kidney-shaped oak writing desk with double chest of drawers with 8 drawers on each side. Wrought iron handles. Sides with magazine racks.
Iron
$5,547
H 30.71 in W 63 in D 30.32 in
Restored Art Deco Writing Desk, Mahogany, Walnut, Revived Polish, Czech, 1920s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk dimensions: Height: 78 cm (30.7 in) Width: 160 cm (63 in) Depth: 77 cm (30.3 in) Space for legs: Height: 60 cm (23.6 in) Width: 57 cm (22.4 in) This elegant Art Deco desk, dat...
Lacquer, Wood, Mahogany, Walnut
$548
H 30.71 in W 47.25 in D 33.47 in
Dining Table, Designed by Jindrich Halabala, 1940s, Made by Up Závody
By Jindřich Halabala, Up Závody
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Art Deco table. Original condition Surface made by piano lacquers to the high gloss.
Lacquer, Beech, Walnut
Italian Burl Walnut Writing Desk, Art Deco, 1930
Located in New York, NY
A very fine Italian 1930's burl walnut writing table or desk, the large rectangular surface is supported by an elegantly curved apron consisting of two large drawers atop robust angl...
Brass
French Art Deco Pedestal Desk, Oak with Brass Hardware, 1930s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
French Art Deco Pedestal Desk, Oak with Brass Hardware, 1930s. This oak desk is built with two curved pedestal cabinets flanking a central kneehole and a single frieze drawer. The r...
Brass
Sold
H 29.93 in W 59.06 in D 29.93 in
Original ArtDeco Writing Desk, J. Halabala, UP Zavody, Walnut, Czech, 1930s
By Jindřich Halabala, Up Závody
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk dimensions: Height: 76 cm (29.9 in) Width: 150 cm (59.1 in) Depth: 76 cm (29.9 in) Leg space Height: 71 cm (28 in) Width: 54 cm (21.3 in) This Art Deco writing desk, designed ...
Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
Sold
H 29.93 in W 59.06 in D 27.56 in
Model H 178 Executive Desk by Jindřich Halabala for UP Zàvody, 1930s
By Jindřich Halabala, Up Závody
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Designed by the renowned Czech designer Jindřich Halabala, the H-178 desk is one of the most elegant pieces of furniture produced by the UP Zavody workshop in the 1930s. More than ju...
Wood
Sold
H 29.93 in W 59.06 in D 27.96 in
Restored Art Deco Writing Desk, by J. Halabala, UP Závody, Walnut, Czech, 1950s
By Jindřich Halabala, Up Závody
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Dimensions of the table: Height: 76 cm (29.9 in) Width: 150 cm (59.1 in) Depth: 71 cm (27.6 in) Leg space: Height: 73 cm (28.7 in) Width: 58 cm (22.8 in) Designed by Jindrich Halab...
Wood, Beech, Walnut, Lacquer
Sold
H 29.93 in W 52.37 in D 25.99 in
antique writing desk H-180, design by Jindřich Halabala, ÚP závody Brno
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in Praha, CZ
- very good original preservation - suitable for the space - 4 drawers with central locking, key, locks on the left - under the top there is a storage shelf, - gap between the boar...
Chrome
Sold
H 31.5 in W 61.03 in D 31.5 in
Art Deco Writing Desk Designed by Czech Architect Jindřich Halabala, 1930s
By Jindřich Halabala, Up Závody
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
One of the most successful writing desk made in United Arts & Crafts Manufacture (UP) in Brno. Designed by Czech architect Jindrich Halabala. Original really good condition. Mater...
Oak, Lacquer
Bauhaus Tubular Chrome Desk - Jindřich Halabala
By Jindřich Halabala, Up Závody
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s - Designer: Jindrich Halabala - Maker: UP Závody - Chrome with patina - Professionally renovated - Table model H-180 - Upper drawer including lock with key (not on the pictur...
Chrome