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.
Set of Four Mid-Century Modern Friso Kramer 'Result' Chairs, 1960
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 Mid-Century Friso Kramer 'Result' chairs with molded teak plywood seat and back rests. Designed by renowned Dutch designer Friso Kramer while at Ahrend de Cirkel, these ligh...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt Chairs for Ahrend de Cirkel 1963
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super nice and scarce set 6 Revolt chairs designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1953. Though the Revolt chair was already designed in 1953, the production started in...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt chairs wood for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super nice set of eight revolt dining chairs designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland, 1953. Though the Revolt chair was already designed in 1953, the production starte...
Metal
Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern Chairs "Revolt" by Friso Kramer for Ahrend
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Doornspijk, NL
The Revolt chair was designed by Friso Kramer in 1953 and has since become an icon of Dutch Design. The chairs used to be omnipresent in government buildings and universities. Nowada...
Steel
'Revolt' Chair by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, the Netherlands, 1953
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Steenwijk, NL
The 'Revolt' chair was designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. An award winning design that has become an icon of Dutch industrial design from the 1950s. The chair has a folde...
Metal
$9,600Sale Price / set|40% Off
Extremely Rare Set of 8 Friso Kramer 'theatre' Chairs with Fold Up Seats
By Friso Kramer
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
In 1959 Friso Kramer transformed his 1953 Revolt chair into his absolute masterpiece, the 'theatre" chair, a Revolt chair that was linkable, stackable with a fold up seat for use mai...
Steel
$12,054 / set
Set of six rare Friso Kramer Revolt theater chairs
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A stunning set of folding and stackable Revolt chairs by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. This exceptionally rare set was designed in 1953 and produced for only four years. The des...
Metal
1960's Set of Four Grey Velvet Friso Kramer 'Result' Chairs for Ahrend de Cirkel
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4, Mid-Century, grey velvet Friso Kramer designed 'Result' chairs. Friso Kramer and Wim Rietveld designed the chair while working at Ahrend. Because the chair is light and stu...
Metal
Set of 6 Revolt Chairs by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Netherlands, 1956
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Steenwijk, NL
The 'Revolt' chair was designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. An award winning design that has become an icon of Dutch industrial design from the 1950's. This solid chair has...
Metal
Set of Six Early Edition Red Friso Kramer Revolt Chairs with Black Frames
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Originally designed in 1953 by possibly the greatest of all Dutch Mid-Century designers, Friso Kramer, and created for renowned furniture maker Ahrend de Cirkel The Revolt was intend...
Steel
$4,150 / set
Friso Kramer Result Chairs Set Birch Ahrend 1965
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice iconic and rare set of 6 early Result chairs with birch plywood seats and backs. Designed for Ahrend de Cirkel in 1958 and these specific chairs were manufactured in 1965. The R...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt Chairs Set 1953 Black Blue Liver Colors
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice set of six Revolt chairs designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1953. Though the Revolt chair was already designed in 1953, the production started in 1958. The c...
Metal
$2,893 / set
H 29.14 in W 19.69 in D 11.82 in
Set of Six Adjustable Architect Stools Designed by Friso Kramer
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Antwerp, BE
Adjustable and swivel Industrial architect stools with seats are made in plywood, the base in gray lacquered metal.-The height is adjustable from 55 cm...
Metal
$1,340 / set
H 29.93 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Post Modern Zeta Dining Chairs by Martin Haksteen for Harvink, The Netherlands
By Harvink
Located in Almelo, NL
Post Modern Zeta Dining chairs by Martin Haksteen for Harvink, The Netherlands 1980s Tripod post-modern design dining chairs, model 'Zeta' designed ...
Steel
Set of Four Mid Century Yellow Chairs, Europe, 1960s.
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Set of four beautiful chairs called "stick insect" produced in the 1960s after a complete upholstery and refreshing of the woodwork, comfortable and stabl...
Textile, Beech
$1,850
H 15.5 in W 29.25 in D 76.25 in
Friso Kramer Couchette Daybed for Auping, Enameled Metal & Wood, 1965
By Auping, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Friso Kramer 'Couchette' daybed for Auping, 1965. Frame is original condition, mattress and cushions newly upholstered. Frame has visible wear, consi...
Metal
$3,650
H 22.75 in W 81.25 in D 77.25 in
Friso Kramer Euroika Series Bed with Nightstands, Teak & Metal, 1950s
By Friso Kramer, Auping
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Mid-Century 'Euroika Series' bed by widely renowned Dutch designer Friso Kramer for the Royal Auping company. This attractive bed features bent teak ends with floating nightstan...
Metal
$4,520 / set
H 31.89 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Set of 6 Revolt Chairs by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Netherlands, 1956
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Steenwijk, NL
The 'Revolt' chair was designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. An award winning design that has become an icon of Dutch industrial design from the 1950's. This solid chair has...
Metal
English Child's Chair of Fruitwood with Rush Seat
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English child's chair from the 19th century, featuring a handsomely patinated fruitwood frame with splat back and rush seat.
Rush, Wood, Fruitwood
Large and Extremely Rare Terrestrial Globe by Newton
By Newton Globes - Planer & Newton
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large and extremely rare 24-inch terrestrial globe by Newton Our most magnificent and rare globes were a pair of 24-inch Newton globes. These too were updated in 1852 (terre...
Mahogany
$2,250
H 19 in W 19 in D 3 in
Extremely Rare Antique Solid Brass Maritime Ships Porthole Storm Cover Window
Located in Dayton, OH
Extremely unique original antique heavy solid brass maritime Ship's Porthole or Hatch. A rare find with storm door, swing plate and barking plate. Its very ...
Brass
Vintage Walnut Chess Set with Folding Board
Located in New York, NY
A luxury walnut chess set. Board folds in half for easy transport and to store chess pieces. Carved wood pieces are crafted in light and dark tones for each player. USA, circa 1...
Wood, Walnut
Set of Four Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
By Big Rapids Furniture Company
Located in East Freetown, MA
Set of four dining chairs made of wood with black vinyl seats. Mid-century modern set has a sleek understated look that matches with any decor. Chairs are in good vintage condition w...
Wood
$4,250 / set
H 31.75 in W 18.75 in D 21 in
Set of 4 Rietveld 'Pyramid' Chairs in Teak w/ Gray Frames for Ahrend the Cirkel
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Wim Rietveld
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare set of 4, Mid-Century, Wim Rietveld designed ''Pyramid'' chairs. Created by Rietveld (son of Dutch "De Stijl" luminary Gerrit Rietveld) in 1959 for Netherlands based furniture m...
Metal
Sold
H 31.89 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Revolt dining chairs by Friso Kramer for Ahrend, Netherlands 1960s
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in ECHT, NL
Iconic industrial chair. Designed by Dutch designer Friso Kramer in 1954. the chairs were produced by Ahrend de Cirkel. The seat and back are made from Ciranol. A high density compac...
Steel
Sold
H 31.89 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Friso Kramer Result chairs in birch Ahrend de Cirkel The Netherlands 1958
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice set of six 1st edition “Result” dining chairs designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, The Netherlands 1958. These chairs have an original light grey lacquered metal ...
Metal
Set of 4 Wilkhahn 250 dining/office chairs by Friso Kramer
By Friso Kramer, Wilkhahn
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This set of four Friso Kramer chairs is in very good condition. The black artificial leather has a light, attractive patina. The ivory-colored fiberglass shells of the chairs are und...
Faux Leather, Fiberglass
Sold
H 31.89 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Friso Kramer Result chairs in red Ahrend de Cirkel The Netherlands 1958
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice large set of eight 1st edition “Result” dining chairs designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, The Netherlands 1958. These chairs have an original red lacquered metal...
Metal
Rare Set of 8 Friso Kramer 'Revolt' Chairs
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare set of 8 wood and metal Mid-Century Friso Kramer 'Revolt' chairs. This set has black enameled metal frames, teak stained plywood seats and back rests. The Revolt chair was desig...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt Folding Chair for Sandra
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super rare set of Revolt folding chairs designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1953. Though the Revolt chair was already designed in 1953, the production started in 1...
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 17.72 in D 17.33 in
Set of 4 Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel “Result” Dining Chairs, Netherlands 67
By Wim Rietveld, Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Set of 4 Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel "Result" dining chairs, The Netherlands 1967 Beautiful set of 4 Result chairs designed by Friso Kramer in collaboration with Wim Rie...
Steel
Sold
H 31.89 in W 17.72 in D 18.12 in
Set/6 Friso Kramer Revolt Chairs Ahrend the Circkel the Netherlands, 1960s
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Almelo, NL
Set/6 Friso Kramer Revolt chairs Ahrend the Circkel the Netherlands 1960s Friso Kramer "Revolt" chairs for Ahrend de Cirkel designed in 1953. Light grey, nearly white folded sheet ...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt Chairs Set Ahrend the Netherlands 1960
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Iconic set of 6 so called 'Revolt' chairs designed by Friso Kramer and manufactured by Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1960s. Though the Revolt chair was already designed in 1953, the prod...
Metal
Friso Kramer Euroika Series Chairs Auping the Netherlands, 1963
By Friso Kramer, Auping
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful shaped dining or side chairs from the Euroika series designed by Friso Kramer for Auping, The Netherlands 1963. Friso Kramer designed also from this series: bed, bed cabinets, table, chair, mirror and a toilet cabinet...
Metal
Set of 4 Friso Kramer Revolt Chairs with Grey Metal Frames
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Originally designed in 1953 by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. The Revolt is Widely Considered by the Dutch to be the Perfect Chair. A System of Folding Sheet Steel was Developed ...
Steel
Sold
H 29.73 in Dm 47.45 in
Friso Kramer Early Edition Revolt Chairs + Rare Matching Round Reform Table 1953
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
4 Revolt chairs and a matching round Reform table by Dutch designer Friso Kramer for Ahrend De Cirkel Friso Kramer is considered as the Dutch Jean Prouve and made his design for t...
Aluminum, Sheet Metal