The Bauhaus was a progressive German art and design school founded by the architect Walter Gropius that operated from 1919 to 1933. Authentic Bauhaus furniture — sofas, dining chairs, tables and more — and the school’s followers married industrial and natural materials in simple, geometric forms. The goal of the Bauhaus was to erase the distinction between art and craft while embracing the use of new technologies and materials.
ORIGINS OF BAUHAUS FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF BAUHAUS FURNITURE DESIGN
BAUHAUS FURNITURE DESIGNERS YOU SHOULD KNOW
AUTHENTIC BAUHAUS FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The name Bauhaus is derived from the German verb bauen, “to build.” Under the school’s innovative curriculum, students were taught the fine arts, such as painting and sculpture, as well as practical skills like carpentry and metalworking.
The school moved from Weimar in 1925 to the city of Dessau, where it enjoyed its heyday under Gropius, then Hannes Meyer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The period from 1932 to 1933 when it operated in Berlin under Mies was its final chapter. Despite its brief existence, the Bauhaus has had an enduring impact on art and design in the United States and elsewhere, and is regarded by many as the 20th century’s chief crucible of modernism.
The faculty roster at the Bauhaus reads like a who’s who of modernist creative genius — it included such artists as Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky and László Moholy-Nagy along with architects and designers like Mies and Marcel Breuer, who became known for his muscular brutalist-style concrete buildings in the postwar years. In 1925, while he was head of the Bauhaus carpentry workshop, Breuer gave form to his signature innovation: the use of lightweight tubular-steel frames for chairs, side tables and sofas — a technique soon adopted by Mies and others. Breuer’s Cesca chair was the first-ever tubular steel frame chair with a caned seat to be mass produced, while the inspiration for his legendary Wassily chair, a timeless design and part of the collection crafted to furnish the Dessau school, was the bike he rode around campus.
Bauhaus design style reflects the tenets by which these creators worked: simplicity, clarity and function. They disdained superfluous ornament in favor of precise construction. Seating pieces such as side chairs, armchairs or club chairs for example, were made with tubular metal or molded plywood frames, and upholstery was made from leather or cane. Above all, designs in the Bauhaus style offer aesthetic flexibility. They can be the elements of a wholly spare, minimalist space, the quiet foundation of an environment in which color and pattern come from one’s own collection of art and artifacts.
Today, from textiles to typefaces, architecture, furniture and decorative objects for the home, Bauhaus creations continue to have an outsize influence on modern design.
Find a collection of authentic Bauhaus furniture on 1stDibs.
Early Year Grey Leather 'LC3' Club Chairs by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Pierre Jeanneret, Cassina, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An incredible pair of early production year (ideal for collectors) 'LC3' club chairs in grey leather, by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand for Cassina, circa 1970...
Chrome
Early Year 'LC2' Leather Club Chair by Le Corbusier for Cassina, c 1980s, Signed
By Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable early year collectors example of the Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' club chair (authentic signed example, see pics) in gorgeous thick Italian black leathe...
Chrome
Marcel Breuer Cesca Chair, Walnut & Animal Skin, Bauhaus Style
Located in bari, IT
Chair in the style model Cesca S64 by Marcel Breuer from 1960s in wood and oven skin.
Animal Skin, Walnut
L'Unité Bauhaus-Inspired Armchair in Green Velvet with Brass Feet, by DOOQ
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
L’Unité armchair is proportional and sculptural, perfectly made to the human scale. It gathers strong upholstered shapes lightly supported on elegant stand...
Brass
Early Year Grey Leather 'LC3' Club Chairs by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An incredible pair of early production year (ideal for collectors) 'LC3' club chairs in grey leather, by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand for Cassina, circa 1970...
Chrome
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll Krefeld Chairs- A Pair
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful pair of club chairs designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll circa 2004. The original design of these was from the 1920s. These are very well made and comfortable cha...
Leather, Ash
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll Krefeld Chairs- A Pair
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful pair of club chairs designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll circa 2004. The original design of these was from the 1920s. These are very well made and comfortable cha...
Leather, Ash
Italian Rationalist Adjustable Wooden Lounge Chair, Italy 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Italian Rationalist adjustable wooden lounge chair, Italy 1940s Measurements when opened 125 x 66 x H 70 cm.
Upholstery, Oak
Early Production 'LC3' Lounge Chairs by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Charlotte Perriand, Atelier International, Cassina, Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Jeanneret and Le Corbusier Grand Modèle LC3 pair of club chairs by Cassina Original design France 1928 / Italy c. 1...
Steel
Mies van der Rohe Krefeld Leather Club Chair for Knoll International
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe gray/stone leather Krefeld club chair for Knoll International, circa 1990s. While planning the Esters and Lange residences in Krefeld, Germany, modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe conceived a restrained, emblematic lounge chair, ottoman and companion table...
Leather, Wood
L'Unité Bauhaus-Inspired Velvet Armchair with Brass Feet, by DOOQ
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
L’Unité armchair is proportional and sculptural, perfectly made to the human scale. It gathers strong upholstered shapes lightly supported on elegant stands. A piece that excites the...
Brass
Contemporary, Bauhaus Inspired Armchair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A contemporary, Bauhaus inspired armchair. Solid teak seat with grey wire brushed finish to expose the grain. Powder-coated dark grey solid steel base. Indoor chair.
Teak
Unique Armchair Thonet B 1045, since 1938
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
It is unique, the only known piece, made to order for a special customer. This unique armchair has never been shown in a regular sales catalog. Documents about the armchair were kept only in the in-house archive of the Thonet company. Thonet B...
Beech, Bentwood
Pair of Art Deco Style Bauhaus Club Chairs by ószef Peresztegi Stamped 1961
Located in Surrey, GB
A pair of Bauhaus club chairs by Hungarian designer József Peresztegi stamped 1961. Original upholstery, in very good condition.
Chrome
Thonet 1930s Cantilever Armchair in the Style of Erich Dieckmann, Gilbert Rhode
By Gilbert Rohde, Thonet
Located in London, GB
Attributed to Thonet, Bauhaus 1930s tubular steel cantilever armchair in the style of Erich Dieckmann or Gilbert Rhode.
Steel
Circa 1960 Black Metal Pair Of Bauhaus Style Cantilever Upholstered
Located in High Point, NC
This dining chair makes its impression through black frame, mauve tweed upholstery. Originating in France during 1960s, it shows the construction techniques typical of the time. Buil...
Metal
3 Armchairs mod. LC 1 1970s Le Corbusier - Cassina -Made in ITALY
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Milano, IT
The 3 armchairs model LC1 by Le Curbusier is reproduced by Cassina in Italy, in the 1980s, are in perfect condition and there is the possibility to buy 1 at € 1,200.00 , 2 at € 2,20...
Steel
1940s Bauhaus Restored Tubular Armchair, Germany
Located in Praha, CZ
- newly lacquered wooden parts - Chrome parts with minor signs od use - high of seat 46 cm
Chrome
H 32.68 in W 20.48 in D 18.51 in
Italian Cesca Chair 1952 After Marcel Breuer
Located in Čelinac, BA
Marcel Breuer Cesca Chair Italy 1952
Chrome
H 27.56 in W 29.53 in D 27.56 in
Leather Le Corbusier LC2 Longue Chair Italy 1980s
By Le Corbusier
Located in Čelinac, BA
Vintage Leather Le Corbusier LC2 Longue Chair Italy 1980s
Chrome
H 31.5 in W 22 in D 18 in
Bauhaus Black Chrome Tubular Director Arm Chairs, a Pair after Marcel Breuer
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of black and chrome armchairs after Marcel Breuer. This set of chairs are created from chrome with tubular frames and faux leather. They have a director chair feel. Both the b...
Chrome
H 27.56 in W 30.32 in D 29.14 in
Le Corbusier LC2 Longue Chair Italy 1980s
By Le Corbusier
Located in Čelinac, BA
Le Corbusier LC2 Longue Chair Italy 1980s
Chrome
H 26.38 in W 30.32 in D 28.35 in
Vintage Le Corbusier LC2 Longue Chair 1980s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Vintage Le Corbusier LC2 Longue Chair Italy 1980s
Chrome
H 31 in W 22.5 in D 18 in
Pair of Vintage Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Brno Chairs For Knoll New Upholstery
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
These vintage modern Brno flat bar chairs are sleek and timeless. Chairs feature cantilevered, heavy stainless steel flat-bar frames. The seat, backrest and the arched armrest . in N...
Steel
H 16.93 in W 25.99 in D 20.48 in
Krefeld Ottoman ottoman by Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Ravenna, IT
Pouf designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll in 1930. The padded cushion is attached via an inner fabric to the part underneath. The lower part of the ottoman features a fabri...
Leather, Wood
H 27.56 in W 30.32 in D 29.14 in
Set Of Two Vintage Le Corbusier LC2 Longue Chair Italy 1980s
By Le Corbusier
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set of Two Le Corbusier LC2 Longue Chair Italy 1980s
Chrome
H 27.56 in W 29.93 in D 26.38 in
Pair of LC2 Armchairs by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Italy 1970s
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of LC2 Armchairs, designed by Le Corbusier in 1928 and realized by Cassina in 1970s. Upholstered in cream silk. Cassina original label and serial numbers marked on steel. Ver...
Steel
H 24.41 in W 22.05 in D 38 in
Marcel Breuer TI-1A Chair / Authentic Bauhaus Chair
Located in Zürich, CH
Sculptural qualities define this object. A vivid dynamic between the different volumes and surfaces, showing different qualities from different angles. Its expressive form offers a c...
Fabric, Oak
H 31 in W 22.5 in D 18 in
Pair of Vintage Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Flat Bar Brno Chairs For Knoll Mohair
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in San Diego, CA
These vintage modern Brno flat bar chairs are sleek and timeless. Chairs feature cantilevered, heavy stainless steel flat-bar frames. The seat, backrest and the arched armrest . in m...
Steel
H 30.32 in W 29.53 in D 29.93 in
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe Red Barcelona Lounge Chair for Knoll, 1972, Set of 2
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of 2 Barcelona lounge chair, designed by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe in 1929 and manufactured by Knoll International in 1972. Made of chromed steel and leather. Excellent vintage co...
Chrome
H 23 in W 39 in D 27 in
LC3 Grand Modele Armchair by Le Corbusier for Cassina in Cowhide
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Italy. Reupholstered in brown cowhide, all new foam.
Cowhide
H 24.25 in W 39.25 in D 29 in
Early Production 'LC3' Lounge Chairs by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Charlotte Perriand, Atelier International, Cassina, Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Jeanneret and Le Corbusier Grand Modèle LC3 pair of club chairs by Cassina Original design France 1928 / Italy c. 1...
Steel
H 27.56 in W 39.38 in D 28.35 in
Leather Le Corbusier LC3 Italy 1980s
By Le Corbusier
Located in Čelinac, BA
Leather Le Corbusier LC3 Italy 1980s
Chrome
H 33.9 in W 22.6 in D 25.7 in
Circa 1960 Black Metal Pair Of Bauhaus Style Cantilever Upholstered
Located in High Point, NC
This dining chair makes its impression through black frame, mauve tweed upholstery. Originating in France during 1960s, it shows the construction techniques typical of the time. Buil...
Metal
H 30 in W 32 in D 27 in
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll Krefeld Chairs- A Pair
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful pair of club chairs designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll circa 2004. The original design of these was from the 1920s. These are very well made and comfortable cha...
Leather, Ash
H 24.5 in W 39 in D 29 in
Pair of 'LC3' Black Leather Club Chairs by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of LC3 club chairs in thick supple black leather, by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand for Cassina, signed with Cassina decking fabric, Cassina s...
Chrome
H 24.5 in W 39 in D 29 in
Early Production Le Corbusier for Cassina LC3 armchair in Edelman Baby Blue
By Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Seattle, WA
Iconic Bauhaus designs by the Swiss-born architect Le Corbusier (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret) are the LC2 and LC3 armchairs. This vintage Fauteuil Grand Confort, or LC3 Lounge Chair,...
Chrome
H 27 in W 30 in D 27.5 in
Pair of 'LC2' Leather Club Chairs by Le Corbusier for Cassina, c 1970s, Signed
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina, Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable pair of early year production examples of the Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' club chairs (authentic signed examples, see pics) in its original gorgeous th...
Chrome
H 27 in W 30 in D 27.5 in
Pair of 'LC2' Leather Club Chairs by Le Corbusier for Cassina, c 1990s, Signed
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina, Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable pair of Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' club chairs (authentic signed examples, see pics) in gorgeous thick Italian black leather are in beautiful vintage ...
Chrome
H 28.5 in W 30.5 in D 26.5 in
Marcel Breuer Wassily Brown Leather and Chrome Lounge Chair by Knoll
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
This is earlier Knolls version of the iconic Wassily Lounge Chair by Marcel Breuer. Stitching is solid through and through. Leather has a few worn out spots consistent with age of t...
Steel, Chrome
H 29.53 in W 39.38 in D 31.89 in
Pair of Bibendum armchairs by Eileen Gray 80's
By Eileen Gray
Located in Conversano, IT
Extraordinary pair of Bibendum armchairs inspired by Eileen Gray's original design and made in the 1980s in italy. Designed for a famous fashion designer in the early 1900s, the name and design of this chair were inspired by Michelin's famous 'rubber man'. Seat and back are made of solid wood inner elements covered with polyurethane foam; the base frame is made of chrome-plated tubular steel. The seat and the backrest are upholstered with black leather. The Bibendum armchair is an iconic design product. Very good overall condition, a few small signs of time and tiny rust spots as per photographs. Dimensions - cm 100 p.81 h.75 Product Name: Pair of Bibendum Armchairs by Eileen Gray 80's Designer: Inspired by the original design of Eileen Gray Year of Design: 1980s (Italy) Style: Bauhaus Main Materials: Solid wood, polyurethane foam, chrome-plated steel, black leather Distinctive Design: Inspired by Michelin's namesake 'rubber man' Typical Dimensions: 100 x81xH75cm Comfort: Ergonomic seat and backrest Typical Use: Office armchairs, lounge chairs, armchairs for elegant spaces Versatility: Suitable for different contexts and styles Current Design Condition: Excellent overall condition with light signs of time and rust spots as pictured Additional Notes: Iconic design product made from high-quality materials. Its size and style make it suitable for various settings. Eileen Gray had Scottish-Irish ancestry. When his father died in 1900, he had already been in London for two years, taking drawing classes at the "Slade School." He discovered the workshop of D. Charles, a painter specializing in lacquers. She worked with him and learned everything she needed for the period of her professional career. In 1902 he went to Paris where he continued to perfect the art of drawing and oriental lacquers. Here he met the Japanese Sugawara with whom he perfected his knowledge of lacquer use. She was noticed by the great tailor Jacques Doucet, an art connoisseur and collector, who commissioned her to furnish his new home. He made two tables and a screen for Doucet, his only dated and signed works. The first major work was the furnishing of Madame Lévy (the famous nodist Suzanne Talbot) on Rue de Lota. In 1922 he opened in the elegant Rue Faubourg St. Honoré the "Jean Désert...
Steel
H 30.71 in W 26.38 in D 35.44 in
Bauhaus Armchair Chrome
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
A Bauhaus chair in great condition and an impressive design. The wide, solid chrome frame gives the armchair an imposing appearance. The high-quality black leather is in perfect cond...
Leather
H 27 in W 30 in D 27.5 in
Early Year 'LC2' Bouclé Club Chairs by Le Corbusier for Cassina, c 1969, Signed
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable pair of Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' club chairs (authentic signed and earlier year production examples) in gorgeous newly reupholstered nubby white bou...
Steel
H 27 in W 30 in D 27.5 in
Pair of 'Lc2' Black Leather Club Chairs by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An incredibly comfortable pair of Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' club chairs (authentic signed examples) in gorgeous thick Italian black leather. The LC2 was designed in 1928 by L...
Chrome
H 27.56 in W 28.55 in D 25.6 in
Set of 2 Leather Vane-2 Sling Armchairs by Walter Antonis for T Spectrum, 1970s
By Walter Antonis, 't Spectrum Bergeijk
Located in Izegem, VWV
These stylish minimalistic sling armchairs, clearly inspired by the Bauhaus movement were designed by Dutch industrial designer Walter Antonis in the 1970s. They feature a light weig...
Chrome
H 26.75 in W 29.85 in D 27.5 in
LC 2 Petite Club Chair by Cassina
By Cassina
Located in Portland, OR
Based on the designs of Le Corbusier, Cassina created the LC 2 line. A petite club chair built for smaller spaces. Full grain leather and chromed ste...
Chrome
H 29.93 in W 29.93 in D 27.56 in
S3001 Bauhaus Club Chair by Christoph Zschoke for Thonet (4/4)
By Thonet
Located in Izegem, VWV
A stylish comfortable, heavy club chair model S3001 designed by Christoph Zschocke in 1990s and produced by Thonet Germany. The soft black leather u...
Chrome
H 29.93 in W 29.93 in D 27.56 in
S3001 Bauhaus Club Chair by Christoph Zschoke for Thonet '1/4'
By Thonet
Located in Izegem, VWV
A stylish comfortable, heavy club chair model S3001 designed by Christoph Zschocke in 1990s and produced by Thonet Germany. The soft black leather u...
Chrome