Rare birch DU Series 4 drawer dresser, designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
View Similar Items
Rare birch DU Series 4 drawer dresser, designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
About the Item
- Creator:Pastoe (Manufacturer),Cees Braakman (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.35 in (72 cm)Width: 29.53 in (75 cm)Depth: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1958
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
- Seller Location:Dronten, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9314846839
Cees Braakman
Revered Dutch mid-century modernist designer Cees Braakman had been creating furniture since his teenage years when he was promoted to head of design at UMS Pastoe in 1948. Today’s vintage furniture enthusiasts know that Braakman found inspiration in works by Scandinavian artisans such as Alvar Aalto and Herman Miller luminaries Charles and Ray Eames — Braakman’s clean-lined dining chairs, sleek sideboards and other case pieces are demonstrative of those influences.
UMS Pastoe was established in 1913 by German-Jewish entrepreneur Frits Loeb and became rapidly successful largely owing to its reputation for well-made tables and chairs. However, the Dutch brand is best known by collectors for the modular sideboards, storage cabinets and other spare, streamlined case pieces that it produced during the postwar years.
The Utrecht-born Braakman took over for his father, Dirk, who had by then been managing the company for more than 20 years and had designed a variety of furnishings for the manufacturer by himself. A year before he assumed his new role at Pastoe, Cees visited the United States where he became enamored with the designs of Charles and Ray Eames and the other creative minds associated with legendary American furniture manufacturer Herman Miller.
While many Dutch designers who are now celebrated by vintage furniture collectors — names like Gerrit Rietveld and Friso Kramer are in this list — found inspiration in Piet Mondrian and the country’s De Stijl art movement, they also looked to Scandinavian modernists such as Alvar Aalto and Americans such as the Eameses. Cees Braakman was no different.
Braakman’s 1940s-era tour to the States included a visit to the Herman Miller factory in Zeeland, Michigan. At the time, architect-designer-journalist George Nelson was director of design at the firm and had enlisted a range of designers to collaborate with Herman Miller and create what are now icons of mid-century modernism. Braakman took notice of industrial manufacturing techniques at HM and in particular, the company’s innovations in furniture design owing to experimentation with molded plywood and fiberglass-reinforced plastic.
The Dutch designer introduced the first line of modern furniture at UMS Pastoe thereafter — a table, a chair, a bed and more created in molded plywood and featuring oak veneers, specifically tailored for smaller living spaces. Braakman was convinced that Pastoe should move on from the restrictions that a collection or set of furniture presented to consumers.
Furniture for a bedroom, for example, should be practical and built as individual pieces that could be adapted as more space became available. New production methods and creative marketing came into focus under Braakman’s leadership, and his own lines of oak and birch furniture — which were created around cupboards that could be reconfigured as needed, or armchairs that could be combined to form a sofa — earned acclaim and were commercially very successful.
UMS Pastoe was recognized for its innovative furniture at the Milan Triennial in 1957 and Le Signe d’Or in Belgium, and Cees Braakman’s work can today be found at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.
Find vintage Cees Braakman furniture on 1stDibs.
Pastoe
Dutch furniture company UMS Pastoe was established in 1913 by German-Jewish entrepreneur Frits Loeb and became rapidly successful largely owing to its reputation for well-made tables and chairs. Today, however, the brand is best known by collectors for the modular sideboards, storage cabinets and other spare, streamlined case pieces that it produced during the postwar years.
Influential mid-century modernist designer Cees Braakman had been creating furniture since his teenage years when he was promoted to head of design at Pastoe in 1948. The Utrecht-born designer took over for his father, Dirk Braakman, who had by then been managing the company for more than 20 years and had designed a variety of furnishings for the manufacturer by himself. A year before he assumed his new role at Pastoe, Cees visited the United States where he became enamored with the designs of Charles and Ray Eames and the other creative minds associated with legendary American furniture manufacturer Herman Miller.
While many Dutch designers who are now celebrated by vintage furniture collectors — names like Gerrit Rietveld and Friso Kramer are in this list — found inspiration in Piet Mondrian and the country’s De Stijl art movement, they also looked to Scandinavian modernists such as Alvar Aalto and Americans such as the Eameses. Cees Braakman was no different.
Braakman’s 1940s-era tour to the States included a visit to the Herman Miller factory in Zeeland, Michigan. At the time, architect-designer-journalist George Nelson was director of design at the firm and had enlisted a range of designers to collaborate with Herman Miller and create what are now icons of mid-century modernism. Braakman took notice of industrial manufacturing techniques at HM and in particular, the company’s innovations in furniture design owing to experimentation with molded plywood and fiberglass-reinforced plastic.
The Dutch designer introduced the first line of modern furniture at UMS Pastoe thereafter — a table, a chair, a bed and more created in molded plywood and featuring oak veneers, specifically tailored for smaller living spaces. Braakman was convinced that Pastoe should move on from the restrictions that a collection or set of furniture presented to consumers. Furniture for a bedroom, for example, should be practical and built as individual pieces that could be adapted as more space became available. New production methods and creative marketing came into focus under Braakman’s leadership, and his own lines of oak and birch furniture — which were created around cupboards that could be reconfigured as needed, or armchairs that could be combined to form a sofa — earned acclaim and were commercially very successful.
UMS Pastoe was recognized for its innovative furniture at the Milan Triennial in 1957 and Le Signe d’Or in Belgium, and Cees Braakman’s work can today be found at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. Over the years, designers such as Jan van Grunsven, Radboud Van Beekum and Rob Eckhardt collaborated with UMS Pastoe.
Find vintage UMS Pastoe furniture on 1stDibs.
- Rimbert Sandholt Scandinavian DresserBy AB Glas & Trä, Rimbert SandholdtLocated in Dronten, NLExceptional small dresser designed by Rimbert Sandholt and manufactured by Glas & Trä Hovmantorp in Sweden. Made in Brazilian rosewood with architectural brass details. Marked with l...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Rare Model 4065 Hanging Lamp by Gerd Lange for KartellBy Gerd Lange, KartellLocated in Dronten, NLVery rare model 4065 hanging lamp in white and red acrylic, made by Kartell, Milan. Smart design provides many shade positions. Socket for standard E27 light bulb, max 75 W. The last...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsAcrylic
- Kai Winding Small Rosewood SideboardBy Kai WindingLocated in Dronten, NLRosewood sideboard designed by Kai Winding, produced by Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik. The piece has 2 inside drawers with an opening, very suitable for high end stereo equipment storag...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsRosewood
- Set of Four Eero Saarinen Series 71 Executive Armchairs for KnollBy Knoll, Eero SaarinenLocated in Dronten, NLFeatured in nearly all Florence Knoll-designed interiors, the Saarinen Executive Chair has remained one of Knoll's most popular designs for nearly 70 years. The design, which is now ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Original Car Design Drawing by Gio Ponti for Touring Carrozzeria Milan, 1952By Gio PontiLocated in Dronten, NLImportant drawing by Gio Ponti of the Diamante line for Touring Carrozzeria Milan. A similar example pictured on page 167 of Gio Ponti: The Complete Work by Lisa Ponti. Ponti's car ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Drawings
MaterialsPaper
- Birch Danish Arm ChairBy Charlotte PerriandLocated in Dronten, NLBeautiful, organic and natural arm chair in solid honey colored birch. A simplistic design with a round seating and attention for the natural expression and grain of the wood. This c...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsBirch
$1,250
- Cees Braakman CB05 Birch Chest of Drawers for UMS Pastoe, 1952, NetherlandsBy Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in London Road, Baldock, HertfordshireA Cees Braakman CB05 Birch chest of drawers for UMS Pastoe, designed 1952, Netherlands. A Cees Braakman designed CB05 birch chest of drawers, part of the Combex range. Consisting ...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBirch, Plywood
- Mid-Century Cees Braakman 'DU04' Japanese Series Credenza for Pastoe in TeakBy Pastoe, Cees BraakmanLocated in Los Angeles, CATeak Credenza with black enameled Model DU04 of the Japanese Series designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1958. This model has a delicate black enameled metal base, two cabinets and ...Category
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMetal
- Pastoe highboard, Japanese Series by Cees BraakmanBy Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in Brussels, BEThe highboard CU08, designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe in 1958, is crafted from teak wood with a white lacquered folding door. It includes also four drawers below and two doors on...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsMetal
- Pastoe sideboard, Japanese Series by Cees BraakmanBy Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in Brussels, BEThe minimalist sideboard DU03, designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe in 1958, is a Dutch design classic. Crafted from teak wood, it features a sleek black lacquered metal frame. The...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage birch series sideboard–secretaire CB01 by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 50sBy Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in Denventer, NLVintage Birch series sideboard CB01, designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1950s. The cabinet has a birch veneer finish, stands on the characteristic plywood loop legs and has the we...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBirch
- Iconic Pastoe Credenza, Sideboard, Japanese Series, Model DU03 by Cees BraakmanBy Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in Schagen, NLMindblowing and timeless design, this large sideboard/Credenza by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, The Netherlands. This piece was made from teakwood veneer and features four drawers and tw...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMetal