Bauhaus-Style Tubular Steel Sofa by Franz Singer, 1920s

Details

Description

1920s Bauhaus-Style Multifunctional Sofa with Hand-Painted Veneer

Possibly designed for Metz & Co, Amsterdam

This exceptional early 1920s multifunctional sofa … Read more 1920s Bauhaus-Style Multifunctional Sofa with Hand-Painted Veneer

Possibly designed for Metz & Co, Amsterdam

This exceptional early 1920s multifunctional sofa showcases the refined materiality and logic-driven construction characteristic of the Bauhaus movement. It features a rare, fully hand-painted wood veneer frame with warm tones and unique surface patterning — a highly expressive example of early 20th-century decorative craftsmanship.

The bent tubular steel frame is both stable and visually light. The fold-down armrests allow the sofa to be quickly transformed into a daybed, reflecting the modernist emphasis on versatility and spatial efficiency.

Its compact dimensions and transformable design align with the functionalist ideals promoted by 1920s Viennese design circles, such as those of Franz Singer and Friedl Dicker. Singer advocated for “economy of time, space, and money” as the basis of modern life — a philosophy embodied in this piece.

New seat and back cushions were custom made and upholstered in a high-quality Italian cotton fabric with a stylized leaf motif, carefully selected to complement the warm tones of the veneer. The metal structure was cleaned and treated with natural beeswax, preserving its patina while enhancing durability.

Recent documentation and stylistic parallels suggest that this model may have been originally designed for Metz & Co, the renowned Amsterdam-based modern design department store known for commissioning avant-garde furniture from leading European designers in the 1920s and 1930s. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution See less