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.
Cees Braakman sideboard, 1960s
By Cees Braakman
Located in Lisboa, PT
Sideboard in light wood, opening with 4 drawers and a door, stamp on the reverse, Pastoe Editor, Cees Braakman. Netherlands, 1960s.
Wood
Japanese Serie DU03 Sideboard by Cees Braakman for Pastoe 1958, Dutch design
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Antwerp, BE
Minimalistisch Japanese series DU03 sideboard by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1958. Dutch design icon of high quality. The DU03 is one of the most famous but also most coveted sideboard...
Metal
Floating Sideboard Designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Beerse, VAN
Floating sideboard designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe. What makes this sideboard unique is the rare oak, a material rarely used in Braakman’s designs. The warm oak tones give it ...
Oak
Pastoe sideboard, Japanese Series by Cees Braakman
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Brussels, BE
The 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...
Metal
Sideboard Du03 Japanese Serie By Cees Braakman For Pastoe, 1960s
By Cees Braakman
Located in Brussels, BE
Sideboard Du03 Japanese Serie By Cees Braakman For Pastoe, 1960s
Metal
Vintage sideboard / wall unit Model CU09 from the Japanese Series Cees Braakman
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Breda, NB
Vintage sideboard / wall unit Model CU09 from the Japanese Series by Cees Braakman from Pastoe from the 1960s. Dimensions: Width: 185 cm Depth: 45 cm Height: 117 cm Dimensions comp...
Teak
Cees Braackman, Sideboard for Editions Pastoe, circa 1950
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cees Braackman, sideboard for Editions Pastoe, circa 1950 varnish to redo.
Birch
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.
Wood
Wall system by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, The Netherlands, 1950s
By Cees Braakman
Located in Hellouw, NL
Cees Braakman wall system designed for Pastoe. Produced by Pastoe in the Netherlands, the 1950s. The cabinet is made of Wenge. Because of the cabinets and shelves, the wall system ha...
Wood, Wenge
Wall Cupboard with Fallen Front by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Beerse, VAN
Smaller cupboard in near mint quality designed by Cees Braakman for 1950/1960s Dutch Pastoe “Made to Measure” series. This cupboard is refined by either its composition with lower f...
Chrome
$3,106Sale Price|20% Off
Sideboard with Black and White Metal Sliding Doors by Cees Brackman, Netherlands
By Cees Braakman
Located in Brussels, BE
Four black and white sliding doors and two shelves sideboard with a thick wood top. Designed by Cees Brackman, Netherlands. circa 1950.
Metal
$2,724Sale Price|20% Off
Black and White Metal and Wood Top Four Doors Sideboard by Pastoe, Netherlands.
By Cees Braakman
Located in Brussels, BE
Four black and white sliding doors industrial sideboard. Thick natural wood top. Two additional metal shelves inside. By C.Braakman for Pastoe Netherlands 1960.
Metal
Pastoe Cees Braakman Du03 Sideboard in Wenge 1958
By Cees Braakman
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This is for an iconic and nice minimalist sideboard model number DU03, designed by Cees Braakman and manufactured by Pastoe UMS, Holland 1958. This unique sideboard was made on reque...
Metal
Alf Svensson "Norrland" Sideboard, 1960s
By Alf Svensson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Oak and rattan. Model "Norrland" produced by Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Sweden, 1960s. Good vintage condition with minor signs of usage.
Rattan, Oak
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...
Chrome
$3,285
H 46.46 in W 29.53 in D 17.72 in
Iconic vintage dutch design CU07 Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Meulebeke, BE
The Netherlands / CU07 cabinet / Pastoe / Cees Braakman / metal, teak / Vintage / Mid-century Highboard CU07 designed by the Dutch designer Cees Braakman in 1958 for Pastoe. This mo...
Metal
$2,494Sale Price|57% Off
H 76.78 in W 96.66 in D 18.12 in
Mid-Century Modern Wall Unit "Made to Measure" by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Wall-filling 'Made to Measure' storage unit designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe. The 'Made to Measure' series is called like that because it completely dismountable and could be mad...
Wood
$1,971 / set
H 23.23 in W 17.92 in D 18.9 in
Two EU/NU-11 Japanese Series Wall Cabinets by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1958
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare pair of Mid-Century Modern EU/NU-11 Japanese Series wall cabinets. Design by Cees Braakman for Pastoe Utrecht. Striking Dutch design from the 1950s. The EU-11 wall ...
Milk Glass, Mirror, Teak
Archimede Sideboard for Gavina, 1960s
By Gavina
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of freestanding rosewood units model "Archimede" realized by Hirozi Fukuoh for Gavina in 1960. Solid and veneered rosewood, lacquered metal supports. Two modular freestanding ...
Metal
CB06 Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1952
By Cees Braakman
Located in Balen, BE
A Mid-Century linnen cabinet 'model CB06', designed by Cees Braakman in the 1950s and manufactured by Pastoe in the Netherlands. This is a rare example in the birchwood series with...
Birch, Teak
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 ...
Metal
French 1960s Elm Sideboard
By Charlotte Perriand, Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Presenting a noteworthy four-door sideboard, exuding an Alpine Chalet style, crafted from solid elm and discovered in the Maritime Alps. This unique cabinet, originating from the 196...
Oak
$2,329
H 29.34 in W 49.61 in D 24.22 in
Mid-Century Modern Desk Designed by Cees Braakman for USM Pastoe
By Cees Braakman
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Very elegant desk made by USM Pastoe. This desk was designed in the early fifties by Cees Braakman and is part of the oak series.
Oak
$1,636 / set
H 31.89 in W 14.57 in D 14.57 in
Pair of Q BUS cabinets by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960s
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice and multi functional rolling Cabinets . Manufactured By Dutch Design firm Pastoe . from the Q Bus series . 1960s The system stands on 4 wheels each and is easily attach...
Formica
$1,887Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 73.04 in D 31.89 in
Mid-Century Modern Desk Designed by Cees Braakman for USM Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Beautifully designed desk by Cees Braakman for Pastoe with high levels of practicality and comfort. It has six drawers, three of each side of the seating position. The exterior lo...
Oak
1960s Floating Sideboard by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Beerse, VAN
Look at this beautiful example of mid-century modern design. Whether placed in a living space, dining area, or office, this floating sideboard designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe o...
Teak
Cees Braakman for Pastoe Sideboard in Teak
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cees Braakman for Pastoe, sideboard model 'DU04', teak, metal, plastic, The Netherlands, design 1958, production 1960s Elegant and modest tea...
Metal
Cees Braakman Highboard for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe, teak and metal, Netherlands, design 1958, production 1960s. This highboard is designed by Cees Braakman, and is from his Japanese Series for Pastoe.
Metal
Cees Braakman Credenza for Pastoe from the Japanese Series
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe, sideboard model DU03, teak and metal, by The Netherlands, design 1958, production 1960s Elegant and modest teak sideboard by Cees Braakman for UMS Pa...
Metal
Cees Braakman Credenza for Pastoe from the Japanese Series
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe, sideboard model DU03, teak and metal, by The Netherlands, design 1958, production 1960s. Elegant and modest teak sideboard by Cees Braakman for UMS P...
Metal
Cees Braakman for Pastoe Wengé Wooden Sideboard
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe, wall-mounted sideboard, wengé, steel and lacquered wood, The Netherlands, circa 1960. This Dutch modernist sideboard designed by Cees Braakman has a ...
Steel
Cees Braakman for Pastoe Sideboard of Wengé Wood and Steel
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe, sideboard, wengé, steel and lacquered wood, The Netherlands, circa 1960. This Dutch modernist sideboard designed by Cees Braakman has a white lacquer...
Steel
Cees Braakman Credenza for Pastoe from the Japanese Series
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe, sideboard model DU03, teak and metal, by The Netherlands, design 1958, production 1960s Elegant and modest teak sideboard by Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe. This sideboard consists of a small metal base, which creates some lightness to the quite solid cabinet. The credenza consists of three storage compartments of which one is equipped with drawers and the other two with shelves. The warm colored teak nicely combines with the black handles, which are beautifully designed in the wooden surface. The Japanese or U-series was one of the unconventional series of Pastoe. Yet the design is still in line with the characteristic sober and modest style of the company. All tough it looks quite simplistic the Japanese series are highly detailed furniture. As seen in this sideboard on the handles, wood-joints and interior. Please note that the legs appear to be extended. Cees Braakman (1917-1995) follows his father’s footsteps as the leading designer and manager of Pastoe from 1948. He was inspired by the bent plywood furniture...
Metal
Cees Braakman DU03 Teak Sideboard for UMS Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sideboards model DU03, in teak and metal, by Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe, The Netherlands 1958. Elegant and modest teak sideboard by Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe. This sideboard...
Steel
Cees Braakman DU04 Teak Sideboard for UMS Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sideboard model DU04, in teak and metal by Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe, The Netherlands, 1958. Elegant and modest teak sideboard by Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe. This sideboard ...
Metal
Sideboard Designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, Oak Version
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Beerse, VAN
This rare oak sideboard by Cees Braakman for Pastoe is a refined statement of mid-century Dutch design. Crafted in the seldom-seen oak version, this piece brings a warm expression t...
Metal
Du03 Japanese series sideboard by Cees Braakman for Pastoe 1958
By Cees Braakman
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Gorgeous mid century sideboard model DU03 from the japanese series designed by Dutch designer Cees braakman for Pastoe. Made from teak wood, the sideboard has a beautiful and warm w...
Teak