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.
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
$6,025Sale Price|25% Off
Hanging Lamp by Gerrit Rietveld, Mid-Century Modern, Circa 1950
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Barcelona, ES
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 small Table Lamp Model L25 for Tecta in black metal
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Small table lamp designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1925, which, with its sleek geometric form, was surprisingly modern for its time. The lampshade is made of high-gloss black lac...
Metal
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Gispen table Lamp, Italy 1960s
By Gerrit Rietveld, Gispen
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. FREE US rew...
Aluminum, Steel
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Gispen table Lamp, Italy 1960s
By Gerrit Rietveld, Gispen
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. FREE US rew...
Aluminum, Steel
Table Lamp, Gerrit Rietveld style
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A big table lamp, with a modern feeling in the design of the base, so regular and geometric. A very interesting object designed by Gerrit Rietveld, so actual and collectible. Good fo...
Metal
Gerrit Rietveld Table Lamps, Steel & Iron, Space Age Style, 1960
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Cerignola, IT
Gorgeous pair of table lamps in different colors one has aluminum-colored shade and the other bronze-colored. Adjustable hat, massive and solid structure made of enameled iron Marks ...
Steel, Iron
$1,572 / item
H 11.82 in Dm 18.9 in
Large Disa Hanging Lamp by José Antonio Coderch, Mid-Century Modern
By José Antonio Coderch
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Disa hanging lamp designed by the architect J.A. Coderch in 1954. It is an iconic reference of the lightning design. Edited and manufactured by Tunds, made with high-quality raw materials and respecting the environment at the same time. The DISA lamp...
Aluminum
Mustard Waxed Paper Table Lamp with Black Metal Base, Model Geraldine
By Dusty Deco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Geraldine Table Lamp is a chic lamp featuring a distinctive pleated shade in a vibrant mustard hue. Its base, designed with elegant simplicity, consists of three slender black legs. ...
Metal
$931Sale Price|35% Off
H 33.86 in W 8.27 in D 8.27 in
Antique Metal Ceiling Lamp, Mid-Century Modern, France, Circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique metal ceiling lamp. By unknown manufacturer, made in circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Electri...
Metal
Albano Poli for Poliarte "Stella" Table Lamp, Italy 1960s
By Albano Poli, Poliarte
Located in Naples, IT
Exceptional table lamp by Albano Poli for Poliarte, Italy 1968. Big and heavy piece made from stacked Murano glass cubes which are all handcrafted. Each one has their own unique bubb...
Murano Glass
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern hanging lamp in glass and brass, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern hanging lamp in glass and brass, 1950s Executed in glass, brass and metal. The lamp needs 2 x E14 / E15 Edison screw fit bulb. Delivery without bulb. ...
Metal, Brass
Mid Century Modern Ceiling Lamp by Erco, 1950s, Germany
By ERCO Leuchten
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid Century Modern Ceiling Lamp by Erco, 1950s, Germany Gold metal frame Beautiful Colorful Shade Lampshade is in very good vintage condition. This lamp works with E27 light bulbs...
Brass
Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Ceramic Table Lamp, Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Hammarö, SE
This elegant ceramic table lamp was designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, one of Italy’s most celebrated ceramic manufacturers. Created during the 1960s, the lamp exemplifies Londi’s d...
Ceramic, Textile
Classic Hansen Style Table Lamp
By Hansen Lighting Co.
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic table lamp by attributed to Hansen, lucite rod with chromed fittings. Three way switch and interruptor cord switch.
Chrome
Jacques Adnet Style Table Lamp
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Simple and chic table lamp in the style of Jacques Adnet Burnt orange/brown leather with signature stitching. New silk shade and newly rewired.
Leather
Desk / Table Lamp, Italy, 1960s
By Gino Sarfatti, Stilnovo
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A desk lamp, Italy, 1960s. In good original vintage condition with only some very minor signs of age and use. Sold as is - in working condition but local rewiring recommended pri...
Marble, Aluminum, Brass
Vintage Table Lamp 50s Style Lamp Orange Table Lamp
Located in Bastogne, BE
Stylish vintage orange desk lamp. Manufactured in Netherlands. In good vintage condition. No chips, cracks or crazings. There are some...
Metal
'Megafono' Glossy Black Metal Table Lamp for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Habitat International
Located in Glendale, CA
'Megafono' Glossy Black Metal Table Lamp for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midcentury era, produ...
Metal
Hanging Lamp in the Style of Gerrit Rietveld
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
Modernist Pendant L40 Designed in 1922 by Gerrit Rietveld
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Doornspijk, NL
The L40 pendant was designed by Gerrit Rietveld in 1922. It was part of the greater design Rietveld made for the consultation room of progressive doctor Arie Marinus Hartog in the town of Maarssen. The design served as the inspiration for the early work of Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer before focusing on his world-famous tubular frame furniture, which in turn was closely related to the work of Mart Stam. The design was simple and innovative, making use of the tube lighting...
Plastic, Wood
Gerrit Rietveld Buizenlamp Tubular Lamp Holland, 1950
By Gerrit Rietveld, Gerard van de Groenekan
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very important typical and well known ceiling lamp designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1922. This lamp is very typical for how Rietveld designed. What is the minimum of items we need to create light. This was his answer in 1922. This famous a symmetric lamp was made by Gerard van de Groenekan especially for a De Stijl exhibition in Stedelijk Musem, the Biennale in Venice and MOMA New York. This lamp has an unusual light grey ceiling plate where most later models have a black one but because the ceiling was black where this was hung, this was better in contrast. The lamp comes with the original wooden crate where the glass tubes where transported in. This is a museal piece with an amazing history. Provenance: The lamp was specially made for the De Stijl exhibition in Stedelijk museum in 1951. So its most likely made in circa 1950. The lamp went to the Biennale in Venice in 1952 and to the MOMA in NY in 1952. When the lamp came back to Holland Rietveld...
Glass, Wood, Plywood