ajkropholler – [merzbau]

Alexander Kropholler (Nl.1881-1973)

Rare side chairs in teak wood. Circa 1930s.
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Alexander Kropholler was a trained carpenter and a self-taught architect whose work was influenced by that other great name in Dutch architecture H.P. Berlage. Traditionalist and historical architecture was of particular importance to his work, and he incorporated overt references to established vernaculars from Medieval to 17th century historical buildings as well as the designs of earlier Egyptian and Gothic revival styles.
In 1908 Kropholler converted to Roman Catholicism. He was looking for what he thought to be a particular Dutch style; sober, earnest and functional. This is evident in the meticulous design of these chairs.
The modern and enduring appeal of the chairs lies in the ‘Truth to material’ principles and skilful structuralism; their intricate construction is revealed and featured in the design.

Literature: De Zwaarte van de Materie; Het architectonisch werk van A.J.Kropholler (1881-1973), 2020 naiOIO

Price: 3.800 euro (pair) Set of four available

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com

Delft School benches x2

bench 1/ 200 x 44.5 x 65.5cm high (seat height 43cm)

bench 2/ 221 x 46 x 65.5cm high (seat height 44cm)

Delft School small oak benches / School of M.J. Granpré Molière or A.J. Kropholler (x2 benches of differing lengths available).

Traditionalism in the Netherlands emerged shortly after the First World War. It was not so much a style as more of an attitude among architects who, in response to Functionalism and the Expressionism of the Amsterdam School, rediscovered the purity and simplicity of traditional country architecture. Under the leadership of M.J. Granpré Molière, professor at the Technical University in Delft from 1924 until 1953, many of these architects gathered in a movement which after World War Two became known as the Delftse School (‘Delft School’). Granpré Molière’s ideas include a preference for tidy brickwork, a minimal use of decorations, the inspiration taken from national architectural traditions and the use of ‘honest’ (i.e. traditional and natural) materials.
https://www.archimon.nl/history/traditionalism.html

Price: 2.400 euro p/p

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com