Furniture

ÚLUV was a key institution founded in 1945 to support high-quality design and craftsmanship in Czechoslovakia. Throughout the mid-20th century, it collaborated with notable designers and workshops to produce furniture that is now considered an essential part of the region’s design heritage. During the 1960s, Czechoslovak furniture increasingly embraced Scandinavian influences—light structures, organic shapes and functional elegance. This chair beautifully illustrates that shift.

During the 1930s, UP Rousínov stood at the forefront of modern Czechoslovak furniture production. Architect and designer Jindřich Halabala (1903–1978) played a key role in defining the aesthetic of Czech functionalism. This cantilever chair, armchair originates from a period deeply linked with the ideals of the Bauhaus and modernist design. Today, Halabala’s works are considered milestones of Central European modernism and rank among the most desirable collector’s items.

Jindřich Halabala (1903–1978) played a crucial role in shaping Czechoslovak furniture design. As a chief designer for UP Rousínov, he introduced modern production principles and created timeless pieces that remain highly sought after today. This table perfectly reflects Halabala’s mastery in harmonising wood and metal within the framework of functionalist ideals: clarity, purpose, structural honesty and elegance.

Although the exact designer remains unknown, the set clearly reflects the same artistic direction as the work of early-20th-century architects such as: Vlastislav Hofman Pavel Janák Josef Gočár Jindřich Halabala (early period) Its form echoes the transitional style between Art Nouveau, Czech rondocubism and early modernism. Similar pieces appear in auctions at Dorotheum, 1stdibs, and Pamono, and in museum collections dedicated to European decorative arts of the 1920s–30s.

Benches like this were widely used in school gyms, Sokol halls, and athletic facilities between the 1930s and 1950s. Built to endure daily training, they were crafted from solid spruce or pine, reinforced with cast-iron components, and upholstered with strong natural leather. Original pieces are now highly sought after and frequently appear on curated design platforms such as 1stdibs, Pamono, and VNTG.

This pedestal dates to the 1930s, a period when European interior design blended late Art Deco influences with enduring traditions of fine craftsmanship. Such stands were conceived as independent interior elements—not merely supports, but integral components of the spatial and artistic composition.

The pedestal originates from the circle of Wiener Werkstätte, the influential Viennese workshop founded in 1903 that shaped the course of modern applied arts. The design is attributed to Josef Hoffmann, one of the most important figures of European modernism and the Vienna Secession. Hoffmann’s work is defined by geometric clarity, balanced proportions, and the synthesis of art and craftsmanship. This pedestal perfectly exemplifies his philosophy of elevating functional objects to works of art.

During the late 19th century, the Historicist movement revived earlier artistic styles, including Renaissance and Baroque influences. The double-headed eagle, a symbol of imperial authority and power, became a prominent decorative element in furniture designed for representative salons, noble residences, official chambers, and ecclesiastical interiors. This chair is an excellent example of period craftsmanship, and its authenticity and preserved condition make it a valuable collectible piece.

Siren and mask motifs were popular within Eclecticism and Neo-Renaissance design during the late 19th century. Chairs of this type were crafted for bourgeois interiors, salons and representative rooms, symbolizing both status and a fascination with mythological imagery. The detailed carving attests to the era’s emphasis on craftsmanship and ornamentation.

Marc Held (1932–2023) was one of the most influential French designers of the 20th century, known for his organic minimalism and sense for functional elegance. During the 1970s he was commissioned to design furniture for European IBM offices. The resulting collection combined strength, ergonomics, and refined sculptural lines — today recognised as a collectible milestone of corporate modernism. This furniture regularly appears in design literature and exhibitions on modern European industrial design.

Introduced in the early 1970s, the Diana safari chair was part of IKEA’s exploration of lightweight, practical armchair designs inspired by traditional safari seating. Designed by Karin Mobring, one of IKEA’s pioneering female designers, the Diana model embodies the blend of minimalism and functionality characteristic of the period. 

During the 1960s and 1970s, American furniture manufacturers such as Lane Furniture, Bassett Furniture, and Broyhill became known for producing high-quality modular and office furniture combining solid craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. Characteristic features include expressive wood grain, sturdy construction, and practical drawer systems. While the exact designer remains unknown, the overall execution strongly corresponds with the output of leading American manufacturers of the period.