Skip to main content

Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

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.

1
2
2
to
2
4
4
2
2
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
3
2
1
70
729
495
435
405
Color:  Gray
Creator: Gerrit Rietveld
Pair of Utrecht Armchairs by Gerrit Rietveld for Cassina
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in London, England
Set of 2 Utrecht armchairs by Gerrit Rietvald for Cassina. Reupholstered in 'Sky Blue' heavy weight cotton velvet by Rose Uniacke.  
Category

1930s Vintage Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Velvet

Rietveld 'Berlin Chair and End Table' Model Toy, 1985
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Scale model kit of the Berlin chair and end table. Manufactured in Holland in 1985. It consists of parts of quality wood with little paints. In 1/6 scale...
Category

1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Paper

Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Utrech 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 t...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Utrech 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 t...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Related Items
Gerrit Rietveld "Zig-Zag" Chair by Cassina n° 859, Italy 1973
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Sacile, PN
Gerrit Rietveld "ZIG-ZAG" chair by Cassina, Italy 1970s. N°859 Provenance: Private collection Milan This early year 'Zig Zag' chair by Gerrit Rietveld for Cassina are the holy gra...
Category

1970s Italian De Stijl Vintage Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Wood, Elm

Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1934. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy, relaunched in 1973/2011. Designed by Gerrit Rietveld, this chair provided an early example of a...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina
H 29.14 in W 14.57 in D 16.93 in
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina
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 a ...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina
H 29.14 in W 14.57 in D 16.93 in
Zig Zag Chair by Gerrit Rietveld for Cassina, 1970s
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Antwerp, BE
'Zig Zag Chair,' originally designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1934 and relaunched by Cassina in Italy in 1973 and 2011. This contemporary edition features striking red with white sides, emphasizing the interplay of vertical, oblique, and horizontal lines. With its innovative cantilevered design, the chair consists of four wood boards intricately joined to create a visually captivating yet unstable structure. Departing from traditional seating arrangements, Rietveld crafted a ribbon-like form resembling a 'Z'. Cassina's expert carpenters showcased their skill through precise dove-tail joints, enhancing the chair's aesthetic appeal. This colored wooden lacquer version is one of several variations by Rietveld. One available and in perfect condition. Gerrit Thomas Rietveld (24 June 1888 – 25 June 1964) was a Dutch furniture designer and architect. One of the principal members of the Dutch artistic movement called De Stijl, Rietveld is famous for his red and blue chair and for the Rietveld Schröder House...
Category

2010s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina
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. Materials: Wood Dimensions: D 43 cm x W 37 cm x H 74 cm (SH ...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina
H 29.14 in W 14.57 in D 16.93 in
Gerrit Rietveld XL Utrecht Chairs, Cassina, Newly Upholstered in Pure Alpaca
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in London, GB
A pair of Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht armchairs, in rare XL size, produced by Cassina, and newly upholstered in a luxurious, soft, ivory pure alpaca wool fabric. Cassina labels to the u...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Alpaca, Wood

Gerrit Rietveld Red and Blue Chair for Cassina, Italy, new
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Berlin, DE
Chair designed by Gerrit Rietveld in 1918. Relaunched in 1973. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gerrit Rietveld
Located in New York City, NY
The richly illustrated and accessible monograph on the Dutch designer and world-renowned architect - now in paperback Gerrit Rietveld's simple yet dynamic style greatly influenced i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Paper

Gerrit Rietveld
Gerrit Rietveld
H 1 in W 9.88 in D 11.38 in
Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Chairs, Cassina, Newly Upholstered in Pure Alpaca
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in London, GB
A pair of Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht armchairs, produced by Cassina, and newly upholstered in a soft, brown/grey premium 100% alpaca wool fabric. Cassina labels to the underneath. Price...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Alpaca

Vintage 1960s Souvenir Building Architectural Model Berlin Bear, Metal Statue
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A classic decorative Berlin bear statue. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal. This item was bought as a souvenir in Ber...
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Metal

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. Designed by Gerrit Rietveld, this chair provided an early example of...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina
H 29.14 in W 14.57 in D 16.93 in
Gerrit Rietveld, designer and architect
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Gerrit Rietveld (1888 - 1964) was a Dutch designer and architect. This booklet gives an interesting insight of his life and struggles he had as an architect. The text is in Dutch,...
Category

Late 20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Paper

Gerrit Rietveld, designer and architect
Gerrit Rietveld, designer and architect
H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 0.2 in
Previously Available Items
Bookcase / Room Divider by Wim Rietveld for De Bijenkorf, the Netherlands, 1960s
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Antwerp, BE
Impressive bookcase / room divider designed by Wim Rietveld for De Bijenkorf, The Netherlands 1960s. This bookcase stands on its own, its double sided so you can also use this as a r...
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Metal

Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Chairs, Cassina, Newly Upholstered in Pure Alpaca
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in London, GB
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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Alpaca

Pair of 637 Utrecht Armchairs in a Dust Blue Mohair by Rietveld for Cassina
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Dallas, TX
Fantastic pair of modernist lounge chairs, model 637 Utrecht by the designer Gerrit Thomas Rietveld edition Cassina from the 1990s. Each chair has armrests...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Mohair

Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Armchairs, Cassina, Newly Upholstered in Pure Alpaca
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in London, GB
A pair of Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht armchairs, produced by Cassina, and newly upholstered in a light grey / silver thick, soft, luxurio...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Alpaca

Bookcase / Room Divider by Wim Rietveld for De Bijenkorf, the Netherlands 1960’s
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Antwerp, BE
Impressive bookcase / room divider designed by Wim Rietveld for De Bijenkorf, The Netherlands 1960’s. This bookcase stands on its own, its double sided so...
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Metal

Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Armchairs, Cassina, Newly Upholstered in Pure Alpaca
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in London, GB
A pair of Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht armchairs, produced by Cassina, and newly upholstered in a light grey / silver thick, soft, luxurio...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Alpaca

Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Armchairs, Cassina, Newly Upholstered in Alpaca
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in London, GB
A pair of Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht armchairs, produced by Cassina, and newly upholstered in a thick, soft, luxurious alpaca. Cassina l...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Alpaca

Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Armchairs, Cassina, Newly Upholstered in Alpaca
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in London, GB
A pair of Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht armchairs, produced by Cassina, and newly upholstered in a thick, soft, luxurious alpaca. Cassina l...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Alpaca

Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht Armchairs, Cassina, Newly Upholstered in Alpaca
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in London, GB
A pair of Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht armchairs, produced by Cassina, and newly upholstered in a thick, soft, luxurious alpaca. Cassina l...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Alpaca

Pair of Gray Fabric Lounge Chairs by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A spectacular pair of Utrecht lounge chairs designed by iconic Dutch Architect Gerrit Thomas Rietveld. The chairs have been recently recovered wit...
Category

1980s Dutch Modern Vintage Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Utrecht Lounge Chairs by Gerrit Rietveld for Cassina
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Utrecht lounge chairs designed by Gerrit Rietveld and produced by Cassina, 1980s. Fully restored and upholstered in a boucle fabric.
Category

1980s Vintage Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Stunning De Stijl Gerrit Rietveld "Utrecht' Sofa Cassina, circa 1988
By Cassina, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Stunning sofa by Dutch De Stijl architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld. This Cassina edition is from 1988, to celebrate the centenary of Rietveld’s birth. It has been newly re-up...
Category

1980s Dutch De Stijl Vintage Gerrit Rietveld Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Gerrit Rietveld furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Gerrit Rietveld furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gerrit Rietveld furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 59 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 66 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Gerrit Rietveld were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Wim Rietveld, UMS Pastoe, Le Corbusier, Jeanneret, and Perriand. Prices for Gerrit Rietveld furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $106 and can go as high as $42,300, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,858.
Questions About Gerrit Rietveld Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Gerrit Rietveld used a variety of materials. He was one of the first furniture makers to employ plywood and aluminum in furniture designs. Two of his most famous pieces are the Red Blue chair and the Zig Zag chair. Shop a selection of Gerrit Rietveld furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Gerrit Rietveld's style reflects the characteristics of De Stijl, a Dutch art movement active in the early 20th century. Rietveld created simple, sleek furniture designs easily manufactured in mass by machines. Shop a variety of Gerrit Rietveld furniture on 1stDibs.

Recently Viewed

View All