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 Revolt for TH Delft by Ahrend de Cirkel 1958 Arms
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare first production Revolt armchair designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland, 1953. This chair was made for the TH Delft who commissioned Friso Kramer and Ahrend to decorate the new interior. These famous TH Delft chairs...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt Folding Chair for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1953
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare Revolt folding chair 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 chair...
Metal
$2,808 / 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
$4,388 / 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 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 1950's. This solid chair has...
Metal
$3,505 / set
H 31.5 in W 18.71 in D 21.26 in
Set of Four Pyramid Chairs Designed by Wim Rietveld for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963
By Wim Rietveld, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Set of four famous ''Pyramid'' chairs Designed by Dutch designer Wim Rietveld for Ahrend de Cirkel in 1963. These Pyramid chairs have a grey/blue Petrol colored frame and light woode...
Metal
Paolo Mahogany and Canvas Folding Director's Chair
By Brett Paulin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Paolo Director's Chair is crafted from solid mahogany wood, paired with vintage style heavy loomed canvas. The chair is in the spirit of the c...
Canvas, Mahogany
$2,217
H 31.11 in W 68.9 in D 24.41 in
Ahrend/ De Cirkel no. 600 Museum Bench by Bas Puyser, 1990s, Rijksmuseum
By Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
Born in 1950 and educated at the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, Bas Pruyser designed school furniture and ranges of tables and chairs for Dutch manufacturer Ahrend. Funnily, Pruyser drew his biggest succes from his designs for the waste management group Bammens. His work included the design of the iconic yellow waste...
Metal
$1,638 / set
H 32.09 in W 18.31 in D 16.74 in
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
Vintage Romanian Wood Slats Ladder Back Folding Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
Vintage wood slat seat mid century modern folding dining game chairs. Item features wood slat seats, folding chairs, solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, very nice vintage ...
Hardwood
$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 Wim Rietveld, Ahrend de Cirkel
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
$625
H 33.75 in W 19.5 in D 18.5 in
Ahrend De Cirkel Industrial Rolling Office Chair in Plum with Gray Upholstery
By Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Ahrend De Cirkel rolling office chair. Newly upholstered grey seat, frame in original condition with visible wear, consistent with age...
Metal
Warren McArthur Folding Chair for Mayfair Industries
By Warren McArthur
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1930's art deco folding chair by Warren McArthur. The chair features a tubular aluminum frame with green fabric upholstered seat and seat back....
Aluminum
$5,450 / set
H 31.89 in W 17.72 in D 19.49 in
Friso Kramer Set of Eight 'Revolt' Dining Chairs in Metal and Blue Plywood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, set of eight dining chairs, model 'Revolt', lacquered plywood, metal, The Netherlands, 1953. This chair named ‘Revolt’ is designed by the Dutch d...
Metal
$17,500 / item
H 37 in W 19.5 in D 20 in
The JH 250 Valet Chair by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen, 1953
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
The iconic Valet chair designed by Hans Wegner. Crafted in teak and oakwood with seat that swings upward to hang trousers and hidden storage for pocket contents. Conceived in 1953...
Brass
Rare Early Edition Friso Kramer "Result" Chair
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single early edition Friso Kramer "Result" chair with handsome teak seat and back with iconic enameled grey folded sheet metal frame and Ahrend de Cirkel LOGO stamped on frame. In go...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt Armchairs in Velvet
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Friso Kramers most infamous Industrial chair with light grey sheet metal chairs, signature angled Melamine arm rests and new seal grey velvet upholstery. Frames in original condition...
Metal
Rare Set of Four Friso Kramer Theater Chairs, 1959
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Extremely rare set of ten Friso Kramer theater chairs designed in 1959. Manufactured in the Netherlands by Ahrend de Cyrkel. It was only manufactured during four years so is very d...
Metal
Blue Result Chair by Friso Kramer, Netherlands 1963
By Wim Rietveld, Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in London, GB
Very nice example of the Result chair by Friso Kramer and Wim Rietveld. This piece is an unusual configuration of blue Ciranol panels with light grey folded metal frame. It is in...
Steel
Pair of Friso Kramer Euroika Plywood Chairs for Auping
By Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Quality Bent Plywood Body on Enameled Metal Wire Legs.
Metal
Six Industrial Chairs
By Galvanitas, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
elegant blonde wood colored bent pagwood industrial chairs designed by Friso Kramer for Galvanitas, priced as set of six, individually @ 950.00
Metal
Pair of Red Upholstered Friso Kramer Revolt Chairs
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original upholstered Revolt chairs in red with black enameled sheet metal frames. In original condition. Armed chair also available. Listed Separately. Set price.
Upholstery
Set of 4 Friso Kramer Revolt Chairs
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original Royal Blue Upholstered REVOLT chairs. Black Enameled Folded Sheet Metal Originally designed in 1958. Set Price. More Available. Shown with Cees Braakman Japanese Series Dini...
Upholstery
Friso Kramer ''Olive Green'' Revolt chairs Ahrend-De Cirkel 1958
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Video on Friso Kramer: http://youtu.be/8tkxlCEfTjE Revolt chairs in stunning rare olive green Ciranol seat & back on black enameled folded steel frame. Early production Revolt ch...
A set of 2 Revolt Chairs designed by Friso Kramer .
By Friso Kramer
Located in Antwerp, BE
Upholstered revolt chairs 1958. Original condition.
Set of Four Friso Kramer Result Chairs
By Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Light grey enameled steel legs with refinished plywood seats and seat backs.
Metal
Sold
H 31.89 in W 20.48 in D 17.92 in
Extreme rare 1949 military chair by Friso Kramer for De Cirkel, The Netherlands
By Friso Kramer
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Update: both chairs where hand signed by Friso Kramer on the 14th of march 2013 (see photo's) See video Friso Kramer: http://youtu.be/8tkxlCEfTjE History: After a very succe...
Plywood