Heinz Witthoeft (Germany 1935-2021)

Pair of ‘Tail 4’ lounge chairs. 1959. Witthoeft Stuttgart 1960s.

Pine frames with slung leather/hide. 64.5 x 64.5 x 54cm high.

Radical modernist lounge chairs that are almost never to be found as a pair – the ‘Tail 4’ design has an architectural cube frame that each houses a low slung thick leather seat. The combination of a rigid external frame and flexible seat define and enhance the seating experience. (These chairs almost cross over into the realm of sculpture – and as sculptures they pre-date and anticipate some of the later minimalist art of Sol le Wit, Donald Judd or other minimalist artists of the 60s-70s).

Trained at the prestigious Ulm School of Design, Witthoeft embodies the functionalist and minimalist spirit characteristic of German modernism from that era. His varied output as a designer included furniture systems, drawings, photographs, and graphic designs all contributed to his utopian urban vision in Post-war Germany and are embodied in the design of these chairs.

Completely original condition with a distinctive warm patina commensurate with their age.

Price: 9.500 euro (pair)

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com

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

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com

plywood cube sculpture

Minimalist object/artwork composed of a series of six plywood cubes with diagonal divisions inside reminiscent of Donald Judd’s plywood art works. Circa 1980s.
Beautifully crafted, the six cubes are connected by one or two discrete rubber hinges (with a metal bar holding them in place) that enable the cubes to be unfolded vertically or horizontally in one direction along a single plain.

There are a few possible configurations as shown which enable it to be used as a shelving unit (with limited shelving space), a long bench, or simply as a decorative art object…

Each cube 40 x 40 x 40cm

Price: 2,100 euro

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com