An elegant 1940s Modernist bedside table by Kovona, based on an earlier Robert Slezák design, has found a new home in Brooklyn, New York. Carefully restored in our Brno workshop, it was safely packed and delivered to its new owner in the USA.

This original Modernist bedside table was produced in the late 1940s in former Czechoslovakia by Kovona, based on an earlier design developed by the renowned Robert Slezák company.

The story of Slezák begins in 1908, when Robert Slezák founded a small metalworking workshop in Bystřice pod Hostýnem, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Over the following decades, the company grew into one of the leading manufacturers of metal furniture in Czechoslovakia, producing pieces in brass, steel and iron before embracing the progressive language of tubular steel furniture that defined European Modernism.

Inspired by the avant-garde ideals emerging around the legendary Bauhaus movement, Slezák produced a wide range of functionalist furniture - from chairs and tables to wardrobes, beds, and institutional furnishings for schools and hospitals. Alongside licensed designs connected to pioneers of modern tubular steel furniture, the company also developed its own distinctive models that reflected the spirit of interwar Central European design.

Following the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia in 1948, private companies were nationalised, and the Slezák factory became part of Kovona, under which this bedside table was produced.

What makes this piece especially striking is the suspended wooden cabinet - a compact geometric volume seemingly floating within its elegant chrome-plated tubular steel frame. The deep green finish is beautifully contrasted by the original orange Bakelite handle, while the upper glass shelf adds both lightness and practicality to the composition. The balance between industrial precision and warm materiality is quintessentially Modernist.

Simple, intelligent, and visually bold, this bedside table is an excellent example of Central European Functionalist design. Pieces like this were once an essential part of progressive modern interiors, yet today they have become increasingly sought after by collectors of Bauhaus and early Modernist furniture.

The table remains in good vintage condition with all original hardware preserved, including the Bakelite handle, hinges, screws, glass shelf, and tubular steel frame. The chrome, wood, and glass surfaces show minor age-related wear and patina consistent with time and use, adding to the authenticity and character of the piece.

Quantity: 1

Period: 1940's

Designer: Robert Slezak

Producer: Kovona, Czechoslovakia

Dimensions: w 44 cm, d 42 cm, h 65 cm

Materials: Beech, Chrome plated tubular steel, Glass

Delivery & Shipping Your order will be carefully packed and safely shipped from our studio in Brno, Czechia using trusted international couriers. Every piece is original, fully checked, and handled with expert care. We are always personally available to assist before and after purchase.

Shipping cost of this item within the EU is €60 (confirmed at the checkout)

Worldwide Shipping We ship safely and regularly worldwide from our studio in Brno, Czechia. For deliveries outside the EU, please contact us at info@bybarnabas.com for a tailored shipping quote.