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" Coffee Table for Ahrend de Cirkel
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Rotunda coffee table by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel features a round clear glass top supported by four slender black enameled metal legs with a matching circular lower shel...
Metal, Enamel
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
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...
$195 / item
H 29.75 in W 27.5 in D 19.5 in
1960s Friso Kramer Style Industrial Desk Teak Formica Top by Werzalit
By Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Industrial work desk attributed to the Friso Kramer style manufactured by Werzalit in Austria during the 1960s. The design features a compact cantilever frame construction in dark gr...
Metal
$2,720 / item
H 35.44 in W 13.78 in D 19.69 in
Flamingo Bedside Table, by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Flamingo bedside table in laminated wood and plastic, designed in 1984 by Michele De Lucchi. Michele De Lucchi was born in 1951 in Ferrara and graduated in architecture in Florence. During the period of radical and experimental architecture he was a prominent figure in movements like Cavart, Alchymia and Memphis. His architectural designs have been mainly for office buildings in Japan, in Germany, in Switzerland and in Italy. He has taken care of numerous art and design exhibitions and has planned buildings for museums as Triennale di Milano, Palazzo delle Esposizioni di Roma and Neues Museum...
Wood, Plastic
$447
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
$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 EEKA, Coen de Vries, 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
$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
$700Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 18 in D 18 in
Black Metal Mid Century Post Modern Perfect End Table MCM
Located in Basel, BS
A very excellent accent design piece. This metal, black magazine holder end table would look great in a Modern or Mid-Century decor. It features a gorgeous sculptural design, and doe...
Metal
Unusual Modernist Childs Desk Attributed to Friso Kramer
By Friso Kramer, Jean Prouvé
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual modernist Childs desk attributed to Friso Kramer, amazing design reminescent of French designs of Jean Prouve, retains original finish, patina.
Steel
$1,600
H 20 in W 24 in D 24 in
Mid-Century Modern Plaster Rock and Glass Square Side Table Table by Sirmos
By Sirmos
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural faux rock formation table made by Sirmos in the 1970s. It features a plaster molded rock formation base with a clear glass top.
Glass, Plaster
Friso Kramer 'Reiger' Drafting Table for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 'Reiger' drafting table designed by Friso Kramer for Dutch manufacturer Ahrend de Cirkel in 1963. The name translates to 'Heron,' a reference to the table's tall, lean silhouett...
Metal, Enamel
$1,649
H 29.53 in W 51.19 in D 35.44 in
XL Dutch Reply Architect Drafting Table Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld Ahrend, 1959
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel, Wim Rietveld
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Wim Rietveld & Friso Kramer Drafting Table for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1959 **The Netherlands** A rare and highly sought-after Dutch modernist drafting table designed by Wim Rietvel...
Steel
$1,186Sale Price|29% Off
H 20.08 in Dm 27.17 in
Carlo De Carli Mid-Century Modern Italian "Spider" Coffee Table, 1950
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Italian "Ragno" side table by Carlo De Carli, 1950s Original sandblasted glass with floral decorations. " If you like it please make your offer and we will evaluate it, it couldn't ...
Beech, Glass
Fragmentos Coffee Table by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Fragmentos side table by Andres Monnier. Dimensions: D 150 x W 90 x H 35 cm Materials: Grey marble, stainless steel, red travertine Andrés Monnier, born in Guadalajara but based in Ensenada, Mexico. His purpose is to create sculptural pieces to spread materialized consciousness through the synergy between art, design and sculpture. Represented by Galerie Philia and as in independent artist, he creates sculptures, Collectible Design, Installations and Functional Art with various stone from all over Mexico. Existing as an artist and business man...
Marble, Stainless Steel
Wim Rietveld Small Round Pyramid Table in Smoked Oak w/ Gray Legs by Hay
By Wim Rietveld, Friso Kramer, HAY
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 Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
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 Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
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 Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
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 Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
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 Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
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