tubular steel daybed / couch by Hynek Gottwald – Czechoslovakia, 1930s

This tubular steel couch, which can also be used as a daybed, was produced in the 1930s by Hynek Gottwald in Czechoslovakia. Gottwald was among the important manufacturers of tubular steel furniture in the country during this period. The design combines the structural clarity of Bauhaus modernism with the softer lines typical of the Streamline tendencies of the early 1930s.

The frame is made of chromed tubular steel mounted on high-gloss lacquered wooden sled bases. Side arm supports made from the same high-gloss lacquered wood repeat this material motif and create a calm counterpoint to the curved steel structure.

The couch has been professionally restored and newly upholstered. The cushions follow a flexible arrangement: the individual elements can be repositioned so that the piece may function as a sofa, reclining chaise or guest bed. By rearranging the cylindrical and wedge-shaped cushions, the visual appearance of the furniture can also be subtly altered.

The upholstery uses an unused vintage fabric from 1950s stock. Its fine woven texture recalls classic Bauhaus textiles and complements the clear modernist language of the design.

Tubular steel furniture of this quality illustrates the level of design achieved by the Czechoslovak modernist furniture industry already in the early 1930s. The combination of steel, wood and textile gives the piece a clear architectural presence and a distinct character within an interior.