Tag: constructivist

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Piet Klaarhamer (Nl 1874-1954)

Pair of oak chairs 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.

We have two of these chairs for sale – These important chairs were the first pieces of furniture that Klaarhamer designed that were produced in larger quantities around 1917, (although probably still 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: On Request

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

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Ko Verzuu (Netherlands 1901-1971)

A rare toy chair designed by Ko Verzuu for ADO. Circa 1930s.

plywood 19 x 20 x 20.5cm high (with original cushion). Early brandished mark to the underside (with an early understandable misattribution to Rietveld)

Between 1925 and 1955 Dutch designer Ko Verzuu designed many toys under the influence of the Dutch Modernist De Stijl painters. His designs were inextricably bound up with innovations in art, health care and pedagogy in the first half of the 20th century. In 1920, the sanatorium Berg en Bosch was founded in the sanctuary on the outskirts of Apeldoorn. This sanatorium offered rest and care to tuberculosis patients. Once patients had recovered from their illness, returning to regular working life often proved to be difficult. In order to prepare patients better for their reintegration, the sanatorium developed a modern treatment: occupational therapy. One of the ways this took shape was in the production of wooden toys. These toys were given the name ADO; an abbreviation that initially stood for Arbeid door Onvolwaardigen (Labour by the Deficient), but was wisely changed to Apart Doelmatig Onverwoestbaar (Special Functional Indestructible) in 1962.

Price: 1.300 euro

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Abstract sculpture

1970s Brutalist abstract sculpture. Unsigned.

A large basalt stone sculpture composed of simple modernist/architectural forms. At some time this sculpture has stood in a garden which has resulted in a thin layer of moss on some parts.

It measures 36 x 12 x 45cm high.

Price: 1.650 euro

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Art Deco stool

A 1930s Art Deco vanity stool. Unknown origin. (unrestored)

Mahogany and maple wood veneers around a wooden constructed base.

We have left the period linen upholstery – A possible upholstery project or just left as it is.

Price: 1.250 euro

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Martin Visser (Nl. 1922-2009)

Rare SE20 chair manufactured by ’t Spectrum Bergeyk 1980s. This late experimental Visser design from 1988 was only manufactured as a very limited production (20 or so?) making it a real collector or museum piece and prime example of Dutch postmodern design. It was manufactured in various colourways – this chair is a vibrant cobalt blue.

In superb hardly used condition.

See: Boijmans Museum collection / literature: ‘tSpectrum Moderne meubelvormgeving en naoorlogs idealisme. Uitgeverij 010, Rotterdam 2002.

Price: 3.950 euro

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monotube chair

Wim van den Bergh (Nl.c20th)

chromed steel tube with leather slung seat. 48.5 wide x 67 deep x 73cm high.

Wim van den Bergh is an architect, writer, and professor of Housing and Design at RWTH Aachen.

An 80s homage to early modernism this is a highly elegant and rare chair: Only 30 examples of this chair were ever produced (by hand) of which the first prototype was commissioned by Museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam in 1981.

Price: 4.700 euro

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Library storage unit

A wooden library / shelving unit.

1960s/70s. Teak veneer.

150 x 64 x 79.5cm high

Originally designed by Bauhaus architect Walter Gropius in the 1930s as a newspaper storage cabinet, this version was manufactured in small numbers in Italy in the 1960s (maker unknown).
Please note that this is a solid and well made item that is heavy (note: it can not be dismantled).

Price: 2.700 euro

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com

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Alvar Aalto (Finland 1898-1976)

Four early production model 60 stools.

Birch wood / 1930s for Finmar UK.

Rare set of classic Scandinavian modernist stools. These three-legged stacking stools have a superb colour and patina. One stool has its Finmar label (writing has worn off) and on one stool it can be seen that there was once a label (the other two do not have labels).

Price: 5.300 euro (set of four)

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com