Through both his bold furniture designs and his teaching and administrative positions within the architecture and design industries, the solution-oriented Friso Kramer helped elevate industrial design to a venerated place in the modernist canon.
While the mid-century years saw no shortage of function-minded modernists, Kramer may have been the most extreme of them. “If form does not contribute to the function, it has no right to exist,” the Dutch designer once said. Born in Amsterdam in 1922 to the pioneering architect Piet Kramer, Friso studied architecture, industrial design, electrical engineering and interior design. He cut his teeth in the studios of architect Jan Piet Kloos and interior designer Frans Paulussen, then, in 1948, went to work as a designer at the steel furniture manufacturer De Cirkel (part of the Ahrend group), where he would design some of his best-known work.
The 1953 Revolt chair, which is among his most celebrated seating and a darling of Dutch mid-century modernism, embodied Kramer’s function-first design; its skeletal, industrial form provides for maximum comfort and ergonomic support with minimal material. He joined forces with Wim Rietveld, son of celebrated Dutch modernist Gerrit Rietveld, for the 1958 Result chair, which married elements of the Revolt with forms from Rietveld’s Pyramid series. Kramer found numerous ways to riff on and perfect his brand of minimalism: The 1960 Resort and Repose armchairs demonstrate how he slightly tweaked the skeletal frames for different postures and uses.
In 1963, Kramer left Ahrend to found Total Design Studio with Wim Crouwel, Benno Wissing and Paul and Dick Schwartz. The firm grouped graphic, industrial and spatial design under one roof with the shared belief in functionalism. Though Total Design Studio is still in business today, Kramer left the company to return to Ahrend in 1971, serving as art director until 1983. Following Kramer’s death in 2019, Ahrend teamed up with Danish design brand HAY to relaunch the Result and Revolt chairs.
Find vintage Friso Kramer chairs, sofas, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Friso Kramer Miniature Revolt Chair Sculpture, Hand Signed, 2000
By Friso Kramer
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Friso Kramer miniature chair toy sculpture Manufactured in the Netherlands by Ahrend de Cyrkel. Scaled miniature plastic Friso Kramer Revolt chair. Comes in pieces to be assembled. ...
Plastic
$1,417
H 12.1 in W 5 in D 4.5 in
Early 1900s Hand Carved and Colored Wooden Mountaineer Sculpture / Statue
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and finely carved sculpture for the black forest and mountaineer enthousiasts. If you are or if you have a friend who is a mountaineering enthousiast then this hand carved mo...
Wood
$1,900
H 11.5 in W 12 in D 2.5 in
Arthur Secunda Acrylic Sculpture Title "Life" Signed, Numbered, 12/20
By Arthur Secunda
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful sculpture celebrating " Life" by the well known artist Arthur Second. This piece has a dedication under base as shown .Is signed and numbe...
Acrylic
$410
H 11.75 in W 6.5 in D 5.25 in
Antique A. Giannelli Bust Angelica Maria Praying Hands Lady Woman Signed Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A. Giannelli “Angelica Maria” Praying Woman Bust in Alabaster on Marble Base, Italy A refined Italian decorative bust depicting Angelica Maria, a serene young woman in prayer, sculp...
Stone, Marble
$1,076
H 9.2 in W 8.9 in D 3.1 in
Hand Carved Wood Swiss Black Forest Eagle Sculpture Label P. Maeder, Lucerne
Located in Lisse, NL
Exceptional Swiss Black Forest eagle carving with remarkable presence. This beautifully executed Swiss Black Forest wood carving depicts a majestic eagle captured at the very moment...
Glass, Wood
$2,811
H 19.7 in W 7 in D 4.9 in
Antique & Stunning, Hand Carved Wood Sacred Heart of Christ Sculpture by Geldorp
Located in Lisse, NL
Museum quality and meaningful work of religious art. This beautifully finest hand carved and large size Sacred Heart of Christ statue is another one of our recent great finds. In ou...
Beech
$2,450
H 10.5 in W 3.75 in D 3.75 in
Miniature Cast Bronze Grand Tour Architectural Sculpture of the Trajan Column
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This miniature cast bronze architectural model of the Trajan Column dates to the 19th century to commemorate one of the Grand Tours of Europ...
Bronze
$750
H 7.5 in W 9 in D 2.5 in
Large, Heavy Murano Aquarium Sculpture Signed by M. Bortolotto & C.S. Friso
By Murano 5
Located in San Diego, CA
Large, Heavy Murano Aquarium Sculpture Signed by M. Bortolotto & C.S. Friso, circa 1980s. A striking and substantial Murano glass aquarium sculpture, hand-crafted and signed by B...
Blown Glass
$959Sale Price|40% Off
H 10.04 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
Sculpture of a Boxer Signed Bertin, France, circa 1930
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Silver plated figure / sculpture of a boxer signed Bertin, France, circa 1930. Mounted over a marble base. Perfect for a box, sports wrestling fan. We have specialized in the sale...
Silver Plate, Spelter
$7,776
H 59.3 in W 18.6 in D 15.7 in
Antique Life-Size Hand-Carved Church Sculpture of Jesus Christ, Sacred Heart
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning wooden Holy Heart of Christ statue. An exceptional and deeply moving life-size hand-carved wooden sculpture of Jesus Christ, depicting the Sacred Heart. This monumental chu...
Wood
French Hand Forged Metal Rooster Sculpture, Mid-Century Brutalist
By Gerard Bouvier
Located in Miami, FL
French Patinated Metal Rooster Sculpture, Gérard Bouvier Style, Farmhouse Décor Accent Piece, French Hand Forged Metal Rooster Sculpture, Mid-Century Brutalist Beautiful French met...
Metal
$2,213
H 22.8 in W 5.9 in D 4.3 in
Antique Museum Quality Hand Carved Sacred Heart of Christ Sculpture / Statue
Located in Lisse, NL
Striking and meaningful finest work of religious art. This beautifully stylish hand carved and large size Sacred Heart of Christ statue is another one of our recent great finds. In our view the sculptor has perfectly managed to capture both the wisdom and serenity of our Lord Jesus Christ. This large size and carved out of solid teakwood Sacred Heart sculpture...
Wood, Teak
Circa 1800, Antique French Hand Carved Nutwood Putti Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Lovely putti sculpture in typical Baroque Style. This beautiful and chubby putto sculpture was probably part of a larger Church ornament / sculpture o...
Nutwood