Alexander Kropholler (Nl.1881-1973)


Rare side chairs in teak wood. Circa 1930s.
.
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

Wim den Boon (Nl.1912-68)

Solid wenge wood with chrome plated two part base. 190 x 86.5 x 72.5cm high

A unique bespoke dining table designed by Dutch architect Wim den Boon. In 1956 Den Boon was the architect of a residential project in the Dutch city of Wageningen – This house that still exists today (although in slightly altered state) and could be regarded as one of his best designs. Den Boon designed the house and most of the furniture for it. This table was part of that bespoke dining room, and was purchased from the family that commissioned the house.
It has a handmade chromed metal base in two triangular sections, and a 4.5 cm thick solid wenge wood top with curved sides that gives this table both a strict modern presence and a considered elegance and warmth.

This is an historical piece of furniture and an important part of the legacy of Wim den Boon as an important Dutch architect and interior designer.

Price: 2.900 euro

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com

Haagse School / Art Deco settle / bench 1930s

Oak frame with drop-in seat and upholstered back. 103 x 59.3 x 102.6cm high.

A neat little bench in the Dutch art deco / Haagse School style. The upholstery is showing its age – It would benefit greatly from a complete re-upholstery (which we have taken into account when pricing it).

Price: 1.600 euro

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com

Frank Gehry (Canada 1929-2025)


Frank Gehry “Easy Edges” wiggle chair by Vitra. Labeled underneath and in a very nice original condition. This example is a 1999 production.

The chair was designed in 1972 as part of Gehry’s famous Easy Edges series. It was reissued by Vitra from 1992 as the Wiggle side chair. Created by the renowned architect Frank Gehry this extraordinary chair challenges the conventional notions of form, material and structural dynamic. Crafted from layers of corrugated cardboard, the Wiggle Chair exhibits a delicate balance between strength and flexibility. Gehry’s signature aesthetic make it a standout piece in any space. The chair has a slight twist/lean from use but it has a good warm tone (…that recent production chairs do not have)

Price: 1.700 euro

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com

Vladimir Tatlin (Russia 1885-1953)

Tatlin Chair

Chromed steel tubular frame with black leather upholstered seat. 55cm x 70cm x 80cm high.

Vladimir Tatlin was a Russian and Soviet painter, architect, and stage-designer. Tatlin achieved fame as the architect who designed The Monument to the Third International, more commonly known as Tatlin’s Tower, which he began in 1919. With Kazimir Malevich he was one of the two most important figures in the Soviet avant-garde art movement of the 1920s, and he later became an important artist in the Constructivist movement

Designed by Russian constructivist Vladimir Tatlin (1885-1953) in 1927. The prototype for this chair was made initially in bent cane. From the 1950s it was manufactured by Nikol International, Italy with a tubular metal frame and leather seat.

Price: 1.400 euro

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com

Piet Klaarhamer (Nl 1874-1954)

Oak side chair with green leatherette upholstery. Circa 1917.

The early designs of modernist architect Piet Klaarhamer use simple, rudimentary constructions, and demonstrate an honest use of the materials used.

This important chair was the first piece of furniture that Klaarhamer designed in 1917 with manufacture in mind – However it was ultimately manufactured in very limited numbers by company called NV Nederlandse Meubel en Houtwarenfabriek in Zaandam.

Klaarhamer’s designs had a clear influence on his students, including the well-known architects Piet Elling and Gerrit Rietveld.
The design of this particular model (without arms) inspired Rietveld in the design of his well known ‘Military Chair’ in 1923. It is a design that is well documented in the monograph on Klaarhamer written by author/historians Marijke Kuper & Monique Teunissen*. This book details a letter (with a sketch of the chair) by Gerrit Rietveld to the architect J.J.P Oud.

Price: 2,400 euro. Condition report available.

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com

*Literature: Piet Klaarhamer Architect en Meubelontwerper. Marijke Kuper & Monique Teunissen, nai010. 2014

Locus Solus chairs

Gae Aulenti (Italy 1927-2012)

Set of 4 ‘Locus Solus’ chairs for Poltronova, Italy 1960s

55.5 x 54 x 66.5cm high

enamelled black tubular metal frames with perforated seats. This set comes with their original loose waxed cotton cushions with dotted black on grey pattern. The design of these chairs was intended to be a playful take on the classic bentwood design.

Price: 4.200 euro (set of 4)

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com

Krat tafel

Gerrit Rietveld (Nl 1888 – 1964)

Cassina ‘crate’ table. Early edition – late 70s/early 80s.

beech wood. 174.5 x 97.5 x 71cm high.

The original Crate Series were designed by Gerrit Rietveld in 1934 and sold mainly through the warehouse Metz &Co. The furniture was described in the store’s advertising as “weekend furniture,” suitable for “weekend houses, sunrooms, student and children’s rooms“.

This table or desk is a late 1970s or early 1980s Cassina edition. It has a very low manufacturers number (31) stamped on the underside next to the Cassina mark.

Price: 3.600 euro

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com