Pair of Crate Chairs by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld

A very rare surving pair of original crate chairs, c.1935 designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld (1888 - 1964) and manufactured by Metz & Co., Amsterdam, Holland.

Gerrit Thomas Rietveld was a Dutch architect and furniture designer. He was one of the principal members of the De Stijl artistic movement until it was dissolved in 1931. He was known for his use of primary colours, particularly his iconic red and blue chair. 

At first, Rietveld focussed his attentions on architecture and his masterpiece is Schoeder House in Utrecht, 1924. However, in the years leading up to the Second World War and during it, Rietveld dedicated himself to furniture design.

He was always associated with uncompromising devotion to aesthetic, but after the worldwide economic depression Rietveld designed a line of furniture made from simple wood used for packing cases, with no joints and using just screws to assemble. 

This pair of chairs in the lounge model would have been intended for use with upholstered cushions. The intention was to create an affordable line, with simple construction and painted wood. 

This design demonstrates an economic use of materials following the Depression, consisting of simple construction of painted wood and made c.1934. This lounge chair model was most likely intended to have upholstered cushions.

An iconic pair by a renowned designer, that reflect a world in turmoil.