Rietveld – [merzbau]

February 24, 2026March 11, 2026 MerzbauLeave a comment

Sofa table/ coffee table. 120 x 80 x 55.3cm high. Lacquered and stained oak and plywood.

A very modestly designed constructivist table whose size measures somewhere between a dining table and a coffee table. It is particularly useful as a table at the back of a sofa as shown. The design of the table is reminiscent of the earlier modernist designs by Gerrit Rietveld/ Vilmos Huszár and the De Stijl movement. (We have images available of its ingenious construction).

This unassuming, simple table was designed by Dutch furniture maker / architect Harry Vogelaars. It is signed and dated 1998.

Note: Cassina ‘Fiandra’ leather four part sofa by Vico Magistretti also available.

Price: 900 euro

January 11, 2026January 11, 2026 MerzbauLeave a comment

Pair of Dutch circa 1940s cherry and oak wood benches with superb all original patina.

186.5cm wide x 33.5cm deep x 48cm high

A pair of simple and attractive benches. Oak boards on cherry wood X-frame legs. The thin oak and peg constructed base gives these benches an elegant modernist appeal. The best aspect of these benches is their warm period patina – It shows just the perfect degree of age and use. They are stable and ready for use. (We also have a matching table – available)

Price: 1.700 euro (pair)

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com

December 13, 2025March 6, 2026 MerzbauLeave a comment

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

December 12, 2025February 21, 2026 MerzbauLeave a comment

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: 1.100 euro

http://www.merzbaufurniture.com

November 7, 2025February 21, 2026 MerzbauLeave a comment

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