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Michael van Beuren

American, 1911-2004

Michael van Beuren was born in New York and studied architecture at the Bauhaus under Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Josef Albers until its closure in 1933. He moved to Acapulco at the end of 1936, where he oversaw the design of the interiors of the bungalows at the renowned Flamingo Hotel in 1937, and quickly became a formative member of the Mexican Modernism movement.

By 1938, van Beuren began focusing on furniture design, working with a fellow Bauhaus colleague, Klaus Grabe, to create modern and affordable pieces. Inspired by the local culture and craftsmanship, the duo applied Bauhaus design principles to popular Mexican mainstays, such as woven reclining chaises and wooden dining chairs.

The approach was a success — Grabe, Morley Webb and van Beuren were named among the winners of a 1941 competition organized by the Museum of Modern Art that focused on designer teams from the United States and Latin America called “Organic Design in Home Furnishings.” This award catapulted them to wide renown.

In the following years, van Beuren founded his furniture label Domus, which became synonymous with well-crafted, modernist design that garnered fans both in Mexico and America. Along with his own designs, Domus also produced work by Clara Porset, a friend and contemporary of van Beuren’s. However, by 1951, the company’s move toward more mass manufacturing meant that van Beuren’s earlier designs were no longer being produced.

Find vintage Michael van Beuren furniture on 1stDibs.

(Biography provided by 7710 Gallery)

Average Sold Price
$9,383
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Handwoven Palm and Wood 4-Door Credenza by Michael van Beuren from LUTECA
By Michael van Beuren, Luteca Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Designed in Mexico in circa 1945 by Michael van Beuren, an American designer trained at Germany's famous Bauhaus school, who was devoted to combining the sophistication of Europe's '...
Category

2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Michael van Beuren

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Petite Disc Cabinet by Michael van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Mid-Century Modern petite disc cabinet by Michael Van Beuren, made in mahogany plywood and brass details, includes VB original l...
Category

1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Michael van Beuren

Materials

Mahogany

Set of Two Chairs by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, we offer this set of two early chairs by Michael Van Beuren made in mahogany and plywood, includes brand label. About Michael Van Beuren: Michael Van Beuren (1911–2...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Michael van Beuren

Materials

Mahogany

Set of Two Chairs by Michael Van Beuren
Set of Two Chairs by Michael Van Beuren
H 33.47 in W 22.05 in D 19.69 in
Modernist Mexican San Miguel Lounge Chair by Michael van Beuren from Luteca
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in New York, NY
The San Miguel lounge chair is a timeless mid-century Mexican piece inspired by the classic Latin American Butaque chair famed by the likes of 20th Century Mexican architect Luis Barragan and Industrial Designer Clara Porset. Michael van Beuren, an American born designer trained at Germany's famous Bauhuas school, produced this award winning piece in 1941 for the MoMA's Organic Design Exhibition in New York along with it's sister-design, the Alacran Chaise...
Category

2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Michael van Beuren

Materials

Teak

Woven Credenza with Handwoven Palm Cord Doors by Michael van Beuren from LUTECA
By Michael van Beuren, Luteca Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Designed in Mexico in circa 1945 by Michael van Beuren, an American designer trained at Germany's famous Bauhaus school, who was devoted to combining the sophistication of Europe's '...
Category

2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Michael van Beuren

Materials

Wood

Pair of Midcentury Armchairs by Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mérida, Yucatan
Set of 2 pieces of armchairs created in the mid-century period in Mexico, made of restored mahogany wood and renewed vegan leather upholstery following the same design as the origina...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Michael van Beuren

Materials

Faux Leather, Walnut

Pair of Midcentury Armchairs by Van Beuren
Pair of Midcentury Armchairs by Van Beuren
H 30.71 in W 25.6 in D 26.78 in
Original Wardrobe by Michael van Beuren "Domus Line"
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare and Original Wardrobe designed by Michael Van Beuren for the "Domus" line, circa 1950, recently restored professionally.
Category

1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Michael van Beuren

Materials

Pine

Michael Van Beuren Lounge Chair Bench
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bauhaus trained, Mexico City based designer, Michael Van Beuren created highly functional modern pieces inspired by Mexican vernacular styles and materials. This example, c.1950s Mex...
Category

1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Michael van Beuren

Materials

Rattan, Pine

Michael Van Beuren Lounge Chair Bench
Michael Van Beuren Lounge Chair Bench
H 29 in W 75 in D 27.75 in
Browse all Furniture from Michael van Beuren
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Michael van Beuren Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$32,225Sideboards, CredenzasWood2024
2025$2,600Lounge ChairsLinen, Silk, Natural Fiber, Pine, Feathers1940s
2024$12,471Sideboards, CredenzasWood2024
2024$2,250Center Tables, End TablesSeagrass, Pine1950
2024$1,800Chairs, Lounge ChairsWood1950
2024$4,950Side Chairs, Lounge ChairsCord, MahoganyMid-20th Century
$9,383
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$1,800-$32,225
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Michael van Beuren

Michael Van Beuren furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Michael van Beuren furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Michael van Beuren furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 22 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 9 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Michael van Beuren were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Senal, Eugenio Escudero, and Mario Lopez Torres. Prices for Michael van Beuren furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $500 and can go as high as $13,115, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,303.

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