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Cees Braakman Secretaires

Dutch, 1917-1995

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.

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Creator: Cees Braakman
Cees Braakman CB07 Secretaire in Birch red / blue plywood for Pastoe Netherlands
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stylish Secretaire Model CB07 designed by Cees Braakman and manufactured by Pastoe in the 1950s, the Netherlands. This Secretaire was part of the 'Birch Series' of Pastoe and inspire...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Cabinet Secretaire by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1950s
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in amstelveen, NL
A wonderful piece from the Birch - series with distinctive laced legs. Designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe in the early 1950s. Bookcase with 2 shelves an...
Category

1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Set of Two Cees Braakman Cu07 Cabinets
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Set of two cabinets designed by the Dutch designer Cees Braakman in 1958 for Pastoe. This pair of the Japanese series is made of teak wood , a blac...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Cees Braakman for Pastoe "P5" Jacaranda Wood Secretaire
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cees Braakman for Pastoe Jacaranda wood secretaire with drop down desk or dry bar and light with original wiring. Lightly refinished exterior ...
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Japanese Series Highboard by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, the Netherlands, 1960s
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Appeltern, Gelderland
Dutch vintage design cabinet CU01 designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1958. This design from the Japanese series is one of the top pieces from Pastoe's history. The warm teak and t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Cees Braakman CB07 Secretaire in Birch black / white plywood for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stylish Secretaire Model CB07 designed by Cees Braakman and manufactured by Pastoe in the 1950s, the Netherlands. This Secretaire was part of the 'Birch Series' of Pastoe and inspire...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Related Items
Large Pastoe Wall Unit ''Japan Series '' Cees Braakman 1958 Holland
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Large Pastoe Wall Unit .Design by Cees Braakman in the 1960s , from the so called ''Japan series '' consisting of 4 Wall Panels hanging on a wooden ra...
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1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

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Italian Mahogany Secretaire Cabinet, 1950s
Located in Meda, MB
Precious cabinet secretaire produced in Italy in the 1950s, The whole cabinet is veneered in mahogany with a fine solid wood carving in the center of the two doors representing two b...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

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Italian Mahogany Secretaire Cabinet, 1950s
Italian Mahogany Secretaire Cabinet, 1950s
H 50.4 in W 55.12 in D 16.54 in
Cees Braakman Japanese Series Wall Mount Cabinet
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-century, two-toned Japanese Series wall mount cabinet with blonde drawers and teak cabinet body. Drawers have signature black drawer pulls. a beaut...
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1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

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Refined Pander Cabinet
By H.Pander & Zonen
Located in Dronten, NL
Beautiful cabinet made by Pander & Zonen, renown Dutch manufacturer of high-end furniture in the first half of the 20th Century. Pander worked with important interior architects and ...
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Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Ash

Refined Pander Cabinet
Refined Pander Cabinet
H 64.57 in W 39.38 in D 17.72 in
Cees Braakman CB05 Birch Chest of Drawers for UMS Pastoe, 1952, Netherlands
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in London Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire
A 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 Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Plywood

Cees Braakman Oak Dresser
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Dronten, NL
Compact dresser designed by Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe the Netherlands. Practical vintage modern design piece for a small apartment. The cabinet is marked on the back with a Past...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Cees Braakman Oak Dresser
Cees Braakman Oak Dresser
H 31.89 in W 34.26 in D 18.12 in
Mid-Century Modern Desk EB02 Designed by Cees Braakman for USM Pastoe
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Elegant writing desk designed in 1952 by Cees Braakman for USM Pastoe. The desk is made of plywood and has a birchwood finish. The top and drawers have rec...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Plywood

Night Cabinet by Cees Braakman, Japanese Series, 1950s
By Cees Braakman
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Mid century teak wall mounted night cabinet designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe. Original handle and white opaline plate. 1950s - Netherlands G...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Teak

1950s Cabinet in the Style of Cees Braakman
By Cees Braakman
Located in Antwerp, BE
Original 1950s cabinet with blue colored doors and tri-colored tilting doors in birch veneer. Large shelving on top and the doors come with their origi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Wood

1950s Cabinet in the Style of Cees Braakman
1950s Cabinet in the Style of Cees Braakman
H 58.27 in W 37.8 in D 15.75 in
Sideboard Designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960s
By Pastoe
Located in Delft, NL
Sideboard Designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960s Mid-Century sideboard designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe in the 1960s. The sideboard is the contrast between the with wengé v...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Chrome

Midcentury Pastoe "Cu07" Japanese Series Highboard by Cees Braakman - 1950s
By Cees Braakman
Located in Brussels, BE
Midcentury Pastoe "Cu07" Japanese Series Highboard by Cees Braakman - 1950s.
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Pastoe ‘BE05’ oak series cabinet – Cees Braakman
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Heerhugowaard, NL
Oak series book cabinet model ‘BE05’ designed by Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe in the 1950s. This cabinet is veneered in oak and has thick solid oak edges and feet. The door handle i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Previously Available Items
Cees Braakman Combex Series CB07 cabinet Pastoe The Netherlands 1950
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful cabinet or secretary model CB07 designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, The Netherlands 1950. It is a model from the famous Combex Series. This cabinet has a folding door on...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Formica, Birch

Cees Braakman "CB07" Birch Secretary/ Cabinet For Pastoe, 1953
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in The Hague, NL
Mid- Century modern period secretary/ cabinet designed by famous Dutch furniture designer Cees Braakman and manufactured by Pastoe in early 1950's period. Model- CB07 Cabinet has ma...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Birch

CB07 Bureau Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in London, GB
CB07 Bureau cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe made in The Netherlands Circa, 1950s. A design classic from the early days of birch plywood, the steam bent legs are the signature of ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Plywood

CB07 Bureau Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
CB07 Bureau Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
H 47.25 in W 31.89 in D 17.72 in
Birch Series Cabinet Secretaire BB04 by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1950s
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Appeltern, Gelderland
Cabinet or secretaire (BB04) from the birch series designed by Cees Braakman and produced by Pastoe. If features bentwood legs and it can be used as a desk with the door down. Di...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Rosewood Bar Cabinet or Secretaire by Cees Braakman for Pastoe CT69
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Rosewood veneer bar cabinet on metal legs. Designed in The Netherlands by Cees Braakman for Pastoe in 1959. Cees Braakman was a Dutch furniture designer who worked for UMS Pastoe in the midcentury. He designed many beautiful pieces with the “U+N series”, better known as the “Japanese Series”, as his most famous. In the 1940s, Braakman was sent to the United States to observe design and production processes of furniture. Inspired by the works of Charles and Ray Eames, he started working with new materials like ply-wood and steel, which were used in many of his designs. Many items of his hand are now well known Dutch design classics, such as his DU03 sideboard, TU11 dining table...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Cees Braakman CU01 Cabinet Pastoe Holland, 1958
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice minimalist teak wooden cabinet model CU01 designed by Cees Braakman and manufactured by Pastoe UMS, Holland 1958. This is for model CU01 and has a drop down door on the lef...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Cees Braakman CU01 Cabinet Pastoe Holland, 1958
Cees Braakman CU01 Cabinet Pastoe Holland, 1958
H 46.46 in W 49.61 in D 17.72 in
CE09 Oak Highboard by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1950's
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This stunning highboard, model CE09, was designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe in about 1948. An early design, made of oak veneered board. It has 3 doors and a flap door with 3 keys, ...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Wandkast CU06, Japanse Serie Braakman Voor Pastoe, Derksen
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Appeltern, Gelderland
Dutch vintage design cabinet CU01 designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1958. This highboard comes from the very popular 'Japanese Series". This design from the Japanese series is on...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Japanese Series Birch Cabinet CU03 by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1950s
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Appeltern, Gelderland
Beautiful closet designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe. Timeless design with black minimalistic handles and beautifully bent plywood drawer. . The closet is made of birch on a black m...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Birch Series Secretary Model BB04 by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Very nice secretary by Cees Braakman from the famous Pastoe Birch series. The curved birch wood legs are characteristic of this series. This beautiful cabinet can be used for storage...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Plywood

Cees Braakman BB04 Birch Secretaire for UMS Pastoe, Designed 1952, Netherlands
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in London Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire
A Cees Braakman BB04 Birch Secretaire for UMS Pastoe, Designed 1952, Netherlands A Cees Braakman designed BB04 birch bookcase and writing desk, part of the Combex range. Consistin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Plywood

Midcentury Secretary CB-01 by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1950s
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Appeltern, Gelderland
Birch series cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, type CB-01. Working desk behind the flap door. Flap door has a Formica top on the inside with room for storage of stationary, with t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cees Braakman Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Cees Braakman secretaires for sale on 1stDibs.

Cees Braakman secretaires are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Cees Braakman secretaires, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original secretaires by Cees Braakman were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the mid-20th century. Prices for Cees Braakman secretaires can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,330 and can go as high as $6,750, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,750.

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