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 "Rotunda" Black Metal and Glass Coffee Table by Ahrend de Cirkel
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare "Rotunda" coffee table by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. Black enameled metal base with magazine shelf and glass top. In good original condition with some signs of wear to f...
Metal
Rare Friso Kramer "Rotunda" Table in Black Metal and Glass for Ahrend de Cirkel
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare "Rotunda" coffee table by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. Black enameled metal base with magazine shelf, glass top and fat rubber feet. In original condition with signs of we...
Metal
Friso Kramer University Coffeetable Ahrend De Cirkel The Netherlands
By Friso Kramer
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Note: this table is currently part of the ''From the Guggenheim Museum to the Cobra Museum'' exhibition in Amstelveen, The Netherlands A rare round coffeetable by Dutch industrial d...
Round Black Metal 1960s Italian Side Table with Glass Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round black metal Italian side table from the 1960s with thick glass top.
Metal
$442
H 18.71 in W 19.69 in D 15.75 in
1950s Artist's Palette Side Table in the Style of Lucien de Roeck
By Lucien De Roeck
Located in London, GB
A delightful little 1950s artist's palette knock-down side or coffee table. This is in the style of Lucien De Roeck (see his designs for a similar tab...
Wool
1950s Wim Rietveld Friso Kramer Reply Drafting Table Ahrend de Cirkel
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel, Wim Rietveld
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Wim Rietveld 'Reply' drafting table with rare side tray. The hinging mechanism was a collaborative design with Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel in 1958. Adjust...
Metal
$2,450
H 30 in W 78.75 in D 39.375 in
Mid-Century Executive Desk by Friso Kramer & Coen de Vries, 1950s
By Coen de Vries, EEKA, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking example of Dutch mid-century modern design, this executive desk was designed by Friso Kramer and Coen de Vries for EEKA (Eindhovense Eisen- en Kantoorartikelenfabriek) in ...
Steel
$4,630 / item
H 16.54 in Dm 16.93 in
Hyatt Metal and Wood Table, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Hyatt table designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1984 for Memphis, in metal and laminated wood. Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he gradu...
Metal
Black Metal Side Table, by Marco Zito, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (1.8) Free standing side table in mat black metal. This black metal side table...
Metal
Pair of Faux Wood Cast Metal and Glass Tables
By Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Chic pair of metal and glass end, or side tables having textured cast metal frames which have twig like surfaces. The faux wood ( iron ) frames are in later gilt brass paint finish. ...
Iron
$1,845 / item
H 40.16 in Dm 20.48 in
ClassiCon Adjustable Table E 1027 in Black and Smoked Glass by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
This is perhaps the Classic among the classics. Its ingeniously proportioned, distinctive form has made this height-adjustable table one of the most popular design icons of the 20th century. It is named after the summer house...
Steel
$1,201 / item
H 28.5 in Dm 15 in
Verner Panton 'Barboy' Side Table and Storage Cabinet in Blue for Verpan
By Verpan, Verner Panton
Located in Glendale, CA
Verner Panton 'Barboy' side table and storage cabinet in blue for Verpan. Verner Panton was one of Denmark's most legendary modern furniture and interior designers. His innovative...
Chrome
$1,900 / set
H 18 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in
Max Sauze Isoceles Pair of Black Metal and Glass Side or Coffee Tables, France
By Max Sauze
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Max Sauze Isoceles black metal and glass side, end tables or coffee tables for Attro France. Circa 1970. The geometric shape gives the name to the tables. Very graphic in d...
Metal
Organic Coffeetable marbleplaster
Located in Vosselaar, BE
We can make this table in any size and dimensions. Also the color of the marbleplaster is at will. This particular one can be purchased together with the smaller wooden table or sepe...
Iron
$9,707 / set
H 14.97 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Side Tables in Rosewood and Glass by Henning Nørgaard, 1960's
By Henning Norgaard
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Side Tables in Rosewood and Glass by Henning Nørgaard, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Rosewood and glass Produced by Komfort in Denmark Dimensions (W x D x H): 50 x 50 x 3...
Rosewood
Wim Rietveld Small Round Pyramid Table in Smoked Oak w/ Gray Legs by Hay
By Wim Rietveld, HAY, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Side table with round smoked oak wood top and grey enameled metal pyramid legs designed by Friso Kramer and Wim Rietveld for Ahrend in the 1950s and reissued in 2015 by Hay. In origi...
Metal
Friso Kramer Euroika Coffee Table
By Friso Kramer
Located in Dronten, NL
Nice side table with plywood teak top, designed by Friso Kramer for Auping. Part of the Euroika series from 1963. Like Jean Prouvé in France Friso Kramer was very advanced with appl...
Steel
Rare Friso Kramer "Rotunda" Table by Ahrend de Cirkel
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Rotunda" Coffee Table by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel - Black Enameled Metal Base with Magazine Shelf and Glass Top. In Good Original Condition with Some Signs of Wear to Black...
Metal
Friso Kramer Auping Table Euroika, 1963
By Auping, Friso Kramer
Located in The Hague, NL
This side table was designed by Friso Kramer for Auping in 1963. Part of the 'Euroika' series, it features a bent teak wood top and a dark grey tubular galvanized steel frame.
Metal
Friso Kramer Rotunda Round Side or Coffee Table
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully austere, rare enameled folded sheet metal coffee table with magazine shelf and glass top. Original condition with some signs of wear consistent with its age and usage.
Metal
Friso Kramer Rotunda Round Side or Coffee Table
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare enameled folded sheet metal coffee table with magazine shelf and glass top. Original condition. Some scratching to the glass and table frame. Visible wear consistent with its ag...
Metal
Rare Friso Kramer Round Rotunda Table, 1965
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare enameled folded sheet metal coffee table with magazine shelf and glass top. Factory label dated 1965. Original condition with visible signs of wear.
Steel
Pair of Rare Friso Kramer "Euroika" Nightstands for Auping
By Auping, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Part of the Euroika series designed by Friso Kramer for Auping in 1963, this pair of rare floating nightstands are made of curved teak with black metal accents. Minimal and elegant w...
Metal
Rare Friso Kramer Euroika Series Coffee Table for Auping
By Auping, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Bent Teak Top on Prouve Style Enameled Metal Legs. Part of Friso Kramer's "Euroika" Series for Auping. In Good Original Condition with Minimal Wear to Teak - Some Visible S...
Metal
Friso Kramer, Rotunda Round Coffee Table
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare enameled folded sheet metal coffee table with magazine shelf and glass top.
Metal
Friso Kramer "Rotunda" Round Coffee Table
By Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Enameled Folded Sheet Metal Coffee Table with Magazine Shelf and Glass Top
Glass
Friso kramer rare round ''Reform'' dining table Ahrend De Cirkel
By Friso Kramer
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Video on Friso Kramer: http://youtu.be/8tkxlCEfTjE A rare round ''Reform'' dining table by Dutch industrial design master Friso Kramer. The rectangular Reform dining table was ...
Formica