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.
Beechwood Armchairs, Design Jan Vaněk, 1930s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
Beechwood armchairs with tattered seat. Design Jan Vanek, Czechoslovakia, circa 1930s. Original good condition.
Beech
Midcentury "Siesta" Lounge Chair by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa, Norway, 1970s
By Ingmar Relling, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Praha, CZ
- iconic model - very confortable
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Jan Vanek Bentwood Lounge Chair, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare bentwood lounge chair designed by Jan Vanek and produced in Czechoslovakia during the 1960s. This striking piece features a sculptural ebonized beechwood frame with fluid curved...
Other
Bent Beechwood Armchair, Design Jan Vaněk, 1930's.
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Fabric,Beechwood Two pieces in stock Good Original condition
Wood, Beech
1940s Kropacek Kozelka Adjustable Armchair, Czechoslovakia
By Karel Kozelka & Antonin Kropacek
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered - Newly lacquered wooden parts in black color - Heigh of seat 43 cm - adjustable 82 - 105 cm.
Fabric, Wood
Beechwood Armchairs, Design Jan Vaněk, 1930s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Praha, CZ
Beechwood armchairs with tattered seat. Design Jan Vanek, Czechoslovakia, circa 1930s. Original good condition.
Beech
Art Deco Lounge Chair by Jindrich Halabala
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech bentwood frame upholstered seat and back rest. Designed in 1930s by Jindrich Halabala. Excelent restored, another upholstery on request possible. Set of two.
Beech, Bentwood
Mid-Century Modern German Lounge Chair by Albert Haberer, 1950s
By Albert Haberer
Located in Berlin, DE
A rare prototype easy chair designed by Albert Haberer in the 1950s, Germany. Only three of these chairs were ever created, and this particular piece originated from Haberer's person...
Leather, Fabric, Oak
Ib Kofod-Larsen Lounge Chair
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair by Ib Kofod-Larsen c.1950s, Denmark. The chair features a stained beech frame with sculpted arms and a curved upholstered backrest. The chair has new cushions and has be...
Mohair, Upholstery, Beech
French Designer, Lounge Chair, Steel, Wood, Fabric, France, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown fabric, black-lacquered tubular steel and wood lounge chair designed and produced in France, c. 1930s. Dramatic patina on metal frame with some finish loss. Overall Dimensi...
Steel
Jan Vaněk Attributed Bentwood Lounge Chair, 1940s Czech Functionalism
By Jan Vanek
Located in Almelo, NL
Jan Vaněk Attributed Bentwood Lounge Chair, 1940s Czech Functionalism This sculptural bentwood lounge chair, attributed to influential Czech designer Jan Vaněk, exemplifies the clea...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid - Century Armchair by Jan Vanek for UP Zavody 1950s
By Jan Vanek
Located in Wien, AT
This beautiful armchair made of beech bentwood by Jan Vanek is one of his rarer models. Ideal wellness and relaxation chair. The armchair has been completely restored. We have anothe...
Bentwood
