Gerrit Th. Rietveld 1888-1964
Two-part writing desk ‘r6’, 1931
On the left: A black lacquered wooden top on a silver-painted metal frame with nickel-plated tubular steel legs. A white painted drawer unit with two small drawers and nickel-plated handles is mounted under the desktop.
On the right: A black-stained cabinet with white edges and a glass top, four storage compartments, and three large drawers with nickel-plated handles.
Dimensions: 70 x 150 x 90 cm./27,5 x 59 x 35,4 Inch.
Executed by: The Dutch avant-garde warehouse ‘Metz&Co’. under Rietveld’s control, Amsterdam/The Hague, The Netherlands, 1931-1935
In this design, Rietveld combines features of ‘De Stijl’ with the principles of functionalism. Desk r6 was given a prominent position at three historical presentations in the 1930s, showcasing the new furniture that marked a turn in Rietveld’s career as an architect and furniture designer towards functionalism. It also marks the beginning of a long and fruitful cooperation between Rietveld and the avant-garde warehouse Metz & Co. in Amsterdam.
Provenance:
Gilles Pieter de Neve, Dutch publisher of art calendars, Amsterdam, 1931/35-1978; His daughter Joanne de Neve, 1978-2015.
Literature:
M. Küper, I. van Zijl, Gerrit Th. Rietveld 1888-1964, The Complete Works, Centraal Museum Utrecht 1992, p. 134-135.; P. Timmer, Metz & Co de creatieve jaren, 010 Publishers Rotterdam 1995, p.77-94.
This high-end museum quality desk is also fit for daily use in its original condition.
