Pastoe "Made to Measure" Series Executive Desk
About the Item
- Creator:Pastoe (Manufacturer),Cees Braakman (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 62 in (157.48 cm)Depth: 32 in (81.28 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. 62 x 32 x 29.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Cees Braakman Japanese Series Teak Dining Table for Pastoe w/ Black Metal FrameBy Pastoe, Cees BraakmanLocated in Los Angeles, CACees Braakman designed Japanese series dining table for Pastoe with black enameled metal frame and inset teak top. In original condition with some wear, consistent with age and use. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Cees Braakman Japanese Series Dining Table for Pastoe w/ Teak Top and Metal LegsBy Pastoe, Cees BraakmanLocated in Los Angeles, CA1960's Cees Braakman Japanese Series Dining Table for Pastoe. Lightly refinished teak top with black enameled metal legs. In original condition with visible wear. This version does n...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Tables
MaterialsTeak
- 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
- Rare Pastoe 'Flamingo' Chair, 1958By Adriaan Dekker, Pastoe, Cees BraakmanLocated in Los Angeles, CARare 1958 'Flamingo' chair, designed by Cees Braakman & Adriaan Dekker and manufactured by Tomado for Pastoe. A very rare collaboration that resulted in a one of a kind, truly gorgeo...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Lou Hodges Curved Top Walnut Executive Desk for Creative Crafts w/ File StorageBy Lou HodgesLocated in Los Angeles, CAStunning crafted executive desk by renowned California craftsman Lou Hodges in walnut, oak and koa woods for Creative Crafts, circa 1960. Heavy desk with beautiful curvatures and acc...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsOak, Walnut
- Cees Braakman Birch Loveseat for Pastoe w/ Original Straps & New Canvas CushionsBy Alvar Aalto, Pastoe, Cees BraakmanLocated in Los Angeles, CAAlvar Aalto style bent birch framed loveseat with original strapping and new natural canvas cushion. Pastoe easy chair (model FB06) designed by Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe in the 19...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
MaterialsBirch, Canvas
- “Japanese Series” Desk by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, Netherlands 1960By Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in Amsterdam, NLA beautiful Dutch design desk from the highly wanted Japanese Series designed by Cees Braakman, manufactured by Pastoe in the Netherlands, circa 1960. This stunning desk is made of ...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Cees Braakman Pastoe Desk 60'sBy Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in Bunnik, NLA neat desk designed by Cees Braakman for the Pastoe label. An extremely rare model with two cabinets on metal legs. The desk is veneered, the internal drawers have been renovated. A...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBentwood
- Desk by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960sBy Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in Lasne, BEWood and black metal desk with 6 drawers, 2 of which have a lock. No key. Wear due to time and age of the desk. Stamped Pastoe.Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Mid Century Cees Braakman EB04 Birch Pastoe DeskBy Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in Appeltern, GelderlandBeautiful writing desk designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe in the early 50s. This EB04 desk is part of the ‘Birch Series’. It has 3 drawers on the left and on the right a door with ...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBirch
- Cees Braakman for Pastoe Desk in Teak and MetalBy Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in Waalwijk, NLCees Braakman for Pastoe, desk, teak, brushed metal, The Netherlands, 1950s. Modest designed desk by Dutch designer Cees Braakman for Pastoe. The table top and drawer compartment are executed in teak. Curved plywood is used to furnish the inner part of the three different drawers, each with a metal handle. A modern exterior...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Italian-made executive desk from the 1950sLocated in Genova, ITLarge Italian-made executive desk from the early 1950s. Dark blue formica(original) covered worktop in excellent condition, resting on two walnut wood 'towers' with black metal legs...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal, Brass