One of Europe's most important design institutions today celebrates the 90th anniversary of its establishment.
For fans of purist design Bauhaus is the first and last word. Designs such as the B3 "Wassily Chair" by Marcel Breuer, the Nesting Tables from Josef Albers or the WA24 lamp form Wilhelm Wagenfeld defining an approach to the combination of style and form that has lost none of its modernity nor individuality over the decades.
Where the furniture and buildings rarely strayed from the typical clear, simplistic Bauhaus form the paintings and graphic art represent a chaotic, out of control world view.
And it is not too far fetched to claim that no other design movement has had such a long lasting effect on design, nor been so cruelly brought to an end, that that set in motion by Walter Gropius and colleagues in 1919.
The coming months will see a range of events to mark the 90th anniversary of Bauhaus and we at smow will not only be present, but will use the opportunity to discuss the history and legacy of Bahuas with the care and criticism it deserves.
The name Bauhaus, however, is more than just a benchmark for 20th century design it is also one of the most misused terms in furniture advertising. Google "Bauhaus furniture" and the first page will be a glorious selection of fakes and copies - generally originating from Italy, but also from eastern Europe and the USA. And so before buying any Bauhaus designs, always check the authenticity of the piece. The right to the Bauhaus works are spread across a wide-range of producers such as Thonet, Knoll and Tecnolumen, and it is always important to check that the product you want to buy is from the correct producer. Or you buy from smow. We can supply a wide range of designs from Bauhaus designers, all guaranteed as being produced under official license.
