Best known for his Red and Blue chair, a modernist icon created using only two plywood plates and 15 connecting bars, Dutch designer Gerrit Thomas Rietveld trained as a cabinetmaker, and his bold vision for furniture was supported by his expertise in construction and craftsmanship.
Born in Utrecht, Rietveld learned goldsmithing in addition to the cabinetry apprenticeship he had in his carpenter father’s workshop. He studied draftsmanship with architect Piet Klaarhamer at the Utrecht Museum of Applied Arts and opened his own furniture workshop in 1917. In the 1930s, Rietveld began to experiment with then-unusual materials like plywood and aluminum, and he pursued intellectual concepts through his design, even considering a seat as a resting place for the body and the soul.
Designed in 1918, the minimalist Red and Blue chair is widely coveted by collectors and gained admirers in the likes of legendary American sculptor and designer Donald Judd over the years. (Examples of Rietveld’s designs can be found in Judd’s restored home-museum in New York City.) The Red and Blue chair is so stunning in its geometric simplicity that it is one of the most important symbols of the Dutch art and design movement of the early 20th century called De Stijl, of which Rietveld was an important part. De Stijl means “the Style” and was an effort to express utopian values through pure abstraction in design and the use of primary colors.
Another example of Rietveld’s celebrated seating furniture is the Zig-Zag chair, which was commissioned by the Dutch department store Metz & Co. and intended to be mass-produced. The resulting design — to which the rights to manufacture were bought by Cassina in 1971 — is the essence of the De Stijl movement and an example of Rietveld’s experiments with jointless chairs made from a single material, wood. The Zig-Zag chair’s armless, legless, elegant form is pure abstraction, yet it is also sturdy and comfortable.
Later in his career, Rietveld worked more often as an architect, designing buildings in prestigious settings like the Venice Biennale. He was a pioneer in more ways than one: The first building he designed, Rietveld Schröder House in Utrecht in 1924, is a radically modern space and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Find vintage Gerrit Rietveld furniture on 1stDibs.
$22,905 / set
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld - Utrecht Chairs
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Hasselt, VLI
Pair of early Cassina Utrecht chairs designed, by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, originally drawn in 1936 for the Metz & Co warehouse. In 1972, Cassina acqui...
Mohair
Rare Early All Original 1950s Gerrit Rietveld for Metz & Co 'Utrecht' Sofa
By Metz & Co., Gerrit Rietveld, Gerard van de Groenekan
Located in Dronten, NL
An exceptional and highly authentic example of Gerrit Thomas Rietveld’s iconic Utrecht sofa, produced by Metz & Co. in the early 1950s. Designed in 1935, the Utrecht model is a semin...
Fabric, Beech
Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Chairs, Cassina, Newly Upholstered in Pure Mohair
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A pair of Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht armchairs, produced by Cassina, and newly upholstered in a soft, luxurious, golden brown 100% mohair fabric. Cassina labels to the underneath. Price...
Alpaca
Zig Zag Chairs in solid pine wood in the style of Gerrit Rietveld
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Amsterdam, NL
These Zig Zag chairs were made by a local craftsman based on the iconic design by Gerrit Rietveld. Both the dimensions and the details correspond to the original design. Solid pine f...
Pine
Vintage Zig Zag chair with original identity card, G.Rietveld for Cassina, 1990s
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in EVERDINGEN, NL
A single vintage 1990s Cassina “Zig-Zag” chair in cherry wood, marked underneath and numbered. The chair comes from a private collection and has been very well cared for. It is struc...
Cherry
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld “Utrecht” Sofa by Cassina
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Dronten, NL
A true icon of modernist design, the Utrecht Sofa by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld—faithfully produced by Cassina—embodies the radical spirit of early 20th-century Dutch design. Originally ...
Fabric, Wood
$4,097 / item
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1934. Relaunched in 1973/ 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Materials: Wood Dimensions: D 43 cm x W 37 cm x H 74 cm (SH ...
Wood
$11,185 / item
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Utrech Pro Armchair by Cassina
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935. Relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Gerrit T. Rietveld came up with the design for the Utrecht armchair in 193...
Fabric
Red & Blue De Stijl Armchair by Gerrit Rietveld, vintage 1970-80s
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Brussels, Brussels
The icon of the "De Stijl" movement, created in 1917 by Gerrit Rietveld. This chair is a one off piece, made by a German engineer in the 1970s for his private use. This is a very w...
Oak, Plywood
Set of Two Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Utrecht Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935. Relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Gerrit T. Rietveld came up with the design for the Utrecht armchair in 193...
Fabric
Crate armchair by Gerrit Rietvelt, produced by Rietvelt Originals 1990
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Athens, Attiki
In 1934, architect Gerrit Rietveld designed a unique furniture series made from pinewood derived from packaging material used in furniture transport. In doing so, Rietveld hoped to m...
Wood
Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Armchair by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935. Relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Gerrit T. Rietveld came up with the design...
Fabric
$5,000Sale Price / item|23% Off
Early Numbered 'Zig Zag' Chairs by Gerrit Rietveld for Cassina, 1973, Signed
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These early year 'Zig Zag' chairs by Gerrit Rietveld for Cassina are the holy grail of collectors pieces. Rare and coveted, original 'Zig Zag' chairs are a part of design history, re...
Wood
Gerrit Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern Design
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1934. Relaunched in 1973/ 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Designed by Gerrit Rietveld, this chair provided an early example of...
Wood
Rare and Early 1950s Gerrit Rietveld for Metz & Co 'Utrecht' Sofa Brown Canvas
By Gerrit Rietveld, Metz & Co.
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Original Metz & Co. edition, ‘Utrecht’ sofa, canvas fabric, wood, the Netherlands, design 1935, made early 1950s We present the iconic Utrecht sofa, desi...
Canvas, Wood
1990s Cassina “Utrecht” Chairs by Gerrit Rietveld, a Pair
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Roanoke, VA
Fantastic pair of modernist lounge chairs, model 637 Utrecht by the designer Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Cassina from the 1990s. Fabric is a cool silvery blue. Check out the incredibl...
Velvet
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair for Cassina, Italy, new
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Price is dependent on the chosen material/color. Chair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1934. Relaunched in 1973/ 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
Wood
Gerrit Rietveld Zeilmaker Version of Black Red and Blue for Cassina, Italy new
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the size/model and material of the product. Chair designed by Gerrit Rietveld in 1920. Relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. One of the versi...
Wood, Leather
Red and blue chair by Gerrit Rietveld for Cassina
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in LYON, FR
Red and blue chair Gerrit Rietveld Cassina edition Vintage Red and blue chair by Dutch designer Gerrit Rietveld. Produced since 1973 by Italian manufacturer Cassina. Stamped on the...
Beech, Birch
Utrecht XL or Baby Armchair Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Cassina in pink, red...
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the chosen color and size of the chair. Available in three sizes: Standard: 64 width, 85 depth, 70 height, 37 seat height XL: 66 width, 89 depth, 75 height...
Fabric
$1,595Sale Price|36% Off
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair By Cassina c.1983
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Instantly iconic, the Zig-Zag chair (1934) by Dutch designer Gerrit Thomas Rietveld is one of the earliest examples of a cantilevered solid wood chair. Its four wood boards are...
Wood
ZIG ZAG Wooden Modernist Chair(s) / Gerrit Rietveld (NL) De Stijl 1930's
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
The Zig-Zag chair (1934) by Dutch designer Gerrit Thomas Rietveld is one of the earliest examples of a cantilevered solid wood chair. Its four wood boards are connected end to end, g...
Cherry
Crate Chair by Gerrit Rietveld, Designed in 1930s The Netherlands
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Hellouw, NL
Nice Gerrit Rietveld 'Crate' chair. This chair is designed in 1934, however, we think this is a Cassina edition from the 1970s. This chair is made out of ash wood and has a colorless lacquer. 'Gerrit Rietveld designed the 'crate' series of furniture built from standardized pine boards – cheap material for packing crates – which were soon well-known as ‘crate furniture’. 'From 1935 on the progressive designs appeared at Metz & Co, where furniture by Rietveld had already been sold since 1930. The crate desk...
Pine
Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Chairs, Cassina, Newly Upholstered in Pure Alpaca
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A pair of Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht armchairs, produced by Cassina, and newly upholstered in a white (with a hint of cream) very soft, premium 100% alpaca wool fabric. Cassina labels t...
Alpaca
Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Chairs, Cassina, Original Leather
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A pair of Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht armchairs, produced by Cassina, upholstered in their original leather. Cassina labels to the underneath. Mino...
Leather
Gerrit Rietveld Red and Blue Chair by Cassina
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in The Hague, NL
The Red and Blue chair was originally designed in 1918 by Dutch architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld, one of the leading figures of the De Stijl movement. This striking lounge cha...
Beech
$34,900Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Eight Early 'Zig Zag' Chairs by Gerrit Rietveld for Cassina, 1973, Signed
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of eight early year 'Zig Zag' chairs by Gerrit Rietveld for Cassina are the holy grail of collectors pieces. Extremely rare and coveted, original 'Zig Zag' chairs are a part...
Wood
Gerrit Rietveld Unesco Press Room Chair for Spectrum, 'Colourful Vintage'
By Gerrit Rietveld, 't Spectrum
Located in Tilburg, NL
Gerrit Rietveld designed in 1958 Unesco press room chair for Spectrum - 'Colourful Vintage' Edition 'Colourful Vintage', which means: fabric: Sprinkl...
Metal
Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Armchair by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935. Relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Gerrit T. Rietveld came up with the design...
Fabric
$67,113 / set
Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht lounge set Metz & Co 1950
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This exceptional sofa and lounge chair set stands out as one of the very few comfortable designs by Dutch architect and designer Gerrit Thomas Rietveld. Created first in 1935, it mar...
Canvas, Wood
Gerrit Rietveld Steltman Chair, Solid Oak, Bauhaus Style, Netherlands
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Toronto, CA
Manufactured by Spectrum. The Steltman chair is part of the Rietveld Originals collection, which is exclusively and globally managed by Spectrum. Gerrit Rietveld designed his last ...
Oak
Gerrit Rietveld Red and Blue Chair by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Gerrit Rietveld in 1918. Relaunched in 1973. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. A sculptural seat with a pure and rationalist form, this chair became an authenti...
Wood
Italian modern Velvet sofa Utrecht by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Cassina , 1990s
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Velvet sofa mod. Utrecht by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Cassina , 1990s fantastic three-seater sofa mod. Utrecht with curved seat and backrest, padded and upholstered ...
Velvet
Gerrit Rietveld Elling Buffet, Solid Wood, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Elling Buffet For Cassina A strikingly fascinating buffet-sideboard that, along with the Red and Blue armchair by G. T. Rietvel...
Wood
Gerrit Rietveld Elling Buffet by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Buffet designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1919. Relaunched in 2019. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Represents, with the red and blue, the essence of the new spatial concept of...
Wood
Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Armchair by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935. Relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Gerrit T. Rietveld came up with the design for the Utrecht armchair in 193...
Fabric
Utrecht Lounge Chair by Gerrit Rietveld Limited Edition Boxblocks Cassina
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Utrecht lounge chair. Design by Gerrit Rietveld for Metz & Co.,1935 This is a Cassina Limited Edition (no. 66 / 90) from 2016 called Boxblocks with fabric of the...
Fabric
$550 / item
Gerrit Rietveld Mondial Chairs
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Dronten, NL
‘Mondial’ chair designed by Gerrit Rietveld for the 1958 World Exhibition in Brussels. This chair is a later reissue by ‘Rietveld Originals’ and manufactured by Gispen. The Mondial...
Aluminum, Steel
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Gispen table lamp, Italy 1960s
By Gispen, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Long Island City, NY
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Gispen table lamp Designed and made in Italy in 1960s Aluminum, enameled metal Takes 1 Edison base bulb Complimentary US rewiring upon request. Price is fo...
Aluminum, Steel
Gerrit Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern Design
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1934. Relaunched in 1973/ 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Designed by Gerrit Rietveld, this chair provided an early example of a ...
Wood
Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Armchair by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935. Relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Gerrit T. Rietveld came up with the design for the Utrecht armchair in 193...
Fabric
$11,185 / item
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Utrecht Armchair by Cassina
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935. Relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Gerrit T. Rietveld came up with the design for the Utrecht armchair in 193...
Fabric
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld "Utrecht" Armchair for Cassina, 1935
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld "Utrecht" armchairs for Cassina, wool and steel, Netherlands, 1935. The designer came up with the idea of the “Utrecht” armchair in 1935 while working for t...
Wool
4 Zig Zag ashwood Modernist Chairs after design Gerrit Rietveld, De Stijl 1930's
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Set of 4 ash wood Zchairs. The Zig Zag chair was designed by Gerrit Rietveld. This iconic design from 1934 is one of the most important design items from the Netherlands. These Zig Z...
Ash
$11,185 / item
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Utrecht Armchair by Cassina
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935. Relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Gerrit T. Rietveld came up with the design for the Utrecht armchair in 193...
Fabric
$19,780Sale Price / set|20% Off
Rietveld Zigzag Chair - Classic Design Furniture in American Pine 1950
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Oirlo, LI
Discover the iconic Rietveld Zigzag Chair, a masterpiece of Dutch design that has been enriching interiors worldwide since 1934. Crafted for a family of artists, this special editio...
Pine
Gerrit Rietveld Press Room Chair by 't Spectrum, Hand-Crafted Design
By 't Spectrum, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Toronto, CA
By Spectrum Designed By Gerrit Rietveld 1958 The Press Room Chair was designed in 1958 by Gerrit Rietveld for the UNESCO building in Paris. Rietveld designed the armchair as a comf...
Steel
Gerrit Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern Design
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1934. Relaunched in 1973/ 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Designed by Gerrit Rietveld, this chair provided an early example of...
Wood
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Utrecht Armchair for Cassina in purple, red, green...
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the chosen material/color. Armchair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935. Relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Available in many dif...
Fabric
Gerrit Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern Design
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1934. Relaunched in 1973/ 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Designed by Gerrit Rietveld, this chair provided an early example of...
Wood
Early Crate Chair by Gerrit Rietveld
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Chicago, IL
c. Early/Mid 20th Century. Painted wood crate chair with excellent patina.
Wood
Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Sofa by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sofa designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935. Relaunched in 1988. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Gerrit Rietveld came up with the design ...
Fabric
Pair of Gerrit Rietveld Steltman chairs - Netherlands, 1963
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in London, GB
Gerrit Rietveld (1888–1964) was a key figure in the De Stijl movement, known for his radical use of geometry, line, and primary colour. A trained cabinetmaker, he brought a sculptura...
Pine
$6,078Sale Price|25% Off
Hanging Lamp by Gerrit Rietveld, Mid-Century Modern, Circa 1950
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Hanging lamp, designed in the style of Rietveld, executed circa 1950 by unknown manufacturer. Painted wooden structure and plastic tube protecting the electricity cable, with three b...
Wood
Gerrit Rietveld and J. Tricht Long Sofa
By Gerrit Rietveld, J. Tricht
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gerrit Rietveld and interior designer J. Tricht, bench, faux-leather, metal, The Netherlands, 1965. This bench was originally designed as a 'hall bench' for a local bank in Dedemsva...
Metal
Set of Two Zig Zag Chair by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Cassina
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chairs designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1934. Relaunched in 1973/ 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Designed by Gerrit Rietveld, this chair provided an early example o...
Wood
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Red Baby Utrech Armchair by Cassina
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935. Relaunched in 2015. Baby version. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Gerrit T. Rietveld came up with the design for the U...
Fabric, Wood
Gerrit Rietveld Red and Blue Chair for Cassina, Italy, new
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the chosen material/color. Chair designed by Gerrit Rietveld in 1918. Relaunched in 1973. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
Wood
Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Armchair by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935. Relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Materials: Fabric Dimensions: D 85 cm x W 64 cm x H 60 cm (SH 3...
Fabric
Set of Two Utrech Armchair by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Cassina
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935. Relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Gerrit T. Rietveld came up with the design for the Utrecht armchair in ...
Fabric