Modern Dutch design owes a great deal to Gerard van den Berg. While the Netherlands has a rich furniture-making tradition, it took a maverick like Van den Berg to bring it into a new era.
Van den Berg was born in 1947 to a family of designers. His father owned a furniture company in Hellevoetsluis where Van den Berg worked as an apprentice and then designer until he and his brother, Ton, founded their own workshop, in 1974. That company, named Montis, produced mostly upholstered seating for homes and businesses.
At Montis, Van den Berg challenged traditional Dutch furniture forms. Rather than starting with the piece's frame, which he felt was restrictive, he focused on the silhouette. This inspired Van den Berg to create slim and elegant furniture, often featuring angular metal legs and leather upholstery. In 1983, he pioneered the "jacket technique," consisting of a zipped leather cover around a metal frame. Several iconic Montis seats use this technique, including the Chaplin chair, the Butterfly lounge chair and the Rocky sofa.
In 1989, Van den Berg launched his own design studio and began designing for companies like Wittmann, Molteni and Perobell. He left Montis in 1990 to cofound a new company, called Label, with Ton the following year. Today, Van den Berg's son Jasper and Ton's daughter, Marieke, manage Label. Van den Berg's other son, Ivo, is also a designer at the company.
Van den Berg's irreplaceable contributions to furniture design have garnered multiple awards over the years. Some of the most notable include the Kho Liang Prize, the Mobilia Innovation Award and the Prize for Interior Architecture.
Find vintage Montis seating on 1stDibs.
Brown leather armchair by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis, 1970s
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Armchair from the 70s by designer Gérard Van der Berg for Montis. Round base in stained woven wicker (the edge has been redone). Armchair entirely in brown leather, swivelling from l...
Leather, Wicker
$1,582 / item
Customizable Montis Vico Armchair by GEERT KOSTER
By Montis
Located in New York, NY
Price listed for starting fabric. Vico is the cousin of our easy chair Enzo. Geert Koster designed a compact dining chair that complements any interior. With its streamlined shape a...
Upholstery
Customizable Montis Swivel Luna Armchair by FORMSTELLE
By Montis
Located in New York, NY
The reversible detail of the armrest envelops the Luna like a perfectly fitted garment. Sophisticated stitching and pleating accentuate its inviting volume. Its material properties a...
Aluminum
$1,741 / item
Customizable Montis Luna Armchair by FORMSTELLE
By Montis
Located in New York, NY
The reversible detail of the armrest envelops the Luna like a perfectly fitted garment. Sophisticated stitching and pleating accentuate its inviting volume. Its material properties a...
Upholstery
$483Sale Price|59% Off
Montis Back Me Up Armchair in Stock
By Montis
Located in New York, NY
Upholstered shell/ back: Miller 30 Upholstered Seat : S10 Kvadrat Maple 112 Legs: black Pull up a chair and let yourself be embraced by luxury. The comfort of the Back Me Up armc...
Fabric
$1,695Sale Price|47% Off
Montis Back Me Up Salon Club Chair Designed by Arian Brekveld IN STOCK
By Montis
Located in New York, NY
Back Me Up Salon Upholstery: HERO 466318 #791 Base: Oak Black carbon stained The compact club chair With the BACK ME UP Salon, Arian Brekveld pu...
Fabric
George III Mahogany Lattice Back Armchair
Located in Huntington, NY
George III Mahogany Lattice back armchair. Seat with new top fabric. The rectangular lattice back above an upholstered tight seat with mahogany arms on sq...
Mahogany, Oak
$955 / item
H 24.81 in W 22.45 in D 33.08 in
In Stock Roly Poly Armchair Red Brick By Driade, Faye Toogood
By Driade
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Shapely and utterly comfortable, the distinctive Roly Poly Armchair by Driade is a well rounded lounge chair with a graceful, bowl-like seat up top and four solid legs beneath. It's a statement chair that's considered a classic of contemporary design, and can be found displayed in the permanent collections of many museums worldwide. Designed by Faye Toogood, the Roly Poly collection is the latest line for the Italian design house that's become an instant hit, coveted by both residential and commercial clients alike. The armchair can be augmented with upholstered cushions to create a cozy, scoop-like seat. The collection also features the Roly Poly Sofa...
Plastic
$935 / item
H 29.53 in W 21.66 in D 19.69 in
Shell Beige Boucle Club Chair, by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Springy, very comfortable and stabile club seats. They are contemporary chairs inspired of 1960s style. They can be used as armchairs and dining chairs. Chair was designed by Vint...
Bouclé, Velvet, Beech
$9,359 / set
H 28.75 in W 35.04 in D 39.38 in
Maralunga armchairs designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1973
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Set of 2 armchairs designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1973. Tubular steel frame structure, polyurethane, leather. Excellent condition, restored. The project won the Compasso ...
Steel
Club Chair by Brian Holcombe in Mahogany with Upholstery
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Upholstered club chair in mahogany wood with carving details on the sides. The carvings are of a motif found in 18th century Ming furniture. The carvings are done by hand. This ch...
Mahogany
$4,445
H 28.35 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
“Sforzesca” armchair by Studio Simon, homage to Castiglioni (Customizable)
By Gavina, Studio Simon
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare and beautiful "Sfozesca" model armchair in green fabric, designed in the 1980s by Studio Simon. It is a truly original chair, with a strong personality and refined lines The fab...
Fabric, Wood
Vico Magistretti — Maralunga Armchairs — Cassina
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Budapest, HU
Vico Magistretti – Maralunga Armchairs for Cassina – Set of 2 Designed by the legendary Vico Magistretti for Cassina, this pair of Maralung...
Metal
$3,743 / set
H 29.93 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
Thonet Club Chairs No.6517 by Marcel Kammerer for Thonet
By Marcel Kammerer
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Thonet club chairs no.6517 by Marcel Kammerer for Thonet Austria 1905 in original condition with signs of usage.
Fabric, Bentwood
$955 / item
H 24.81 in W 22.45 in D 33.08 in
In Stock Roly Poly Armchair Charcoal by Driade, Faye Toogood
By Driade
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Shapely and utterly comfortable, the distinctive Roly Poly Armchair by Driade is a well rounded lounge chair with a graceful, bowl-like seat up top and four solid legs beneath. It's a statement chair that's considered a classic of contemporary design, and can be found displayed in the permanent collections of many museums worldwide. Designed by Faye Toogood, the Roly Poly collection is the latest line for the Italian design house that's become an instant hit, coveted by both residential and commercial clients alike. The armchair can be augmented with upholstered cushions to create a cozy, scoop-like seat. The collection also features the Roly Poly Sofa...
Plastic
$3,250
H 16 in W 56 in D 38 in
Gerard van den Berg for Montis 'Florence' Two-Seater Sofa aka 'The Rock'
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This compelling Mid-Century two-seater sofa, known as "The Rock" or "Florence," was designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis in 1970 and stands as a piece of innovative Dutch desig...
Leather
Vico Magistretti “Carimate” Armchairs, Italy 1960's
By Vico Magistretti
Located in New York, NY
Classic Carimate amrchairs in original lacquer and rush.
Rush, Wood
$6,083
H 37.41 in W 31.89 in D 35.44 in
Cognac Leather Delantra Swivel Lounge Chair by Gerard van den Berg for Montis
By Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Cognac Leather Delantra Swivel Lounge Chair by Gerard van den Berg for Montis, 1960s Natural Leather Bodied Lounge Chair on a Woven Rattan Swivel Base This iconic Delantra lounge ch...
Leather
Sold
H 31.89 in W 29.53 in D 36.62 in
Post-modern Set of two Loge Chairs designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Doornspijk, NL
The Loge armchair was designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis. It has a nice streamlined shape, making it almost look like it comes out of a comic strip book. These easy chairs ...
Leather
Sold
H 31.89 in W 31.89 in D 35.04 in
1980s Percival Lafer Style Lounge Chair by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Much sought after Tripod Lounge Chair Gerard van den Berg by Montis, 1970s, the Netherlands pine frame and slung/hung brown canvas support. shaped cushion of soft camel or caramel c...
Leather, Pine
Sold
H 39.38 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Set of Four Montis Leather Chaplin Armchairs by GERARD VAN DEN BERG in STOCK
By Montis
Located in New York, NY
with CASTORS The upholstery covers the frame like an article of clothing. The cover hangs nonchalantly on the chair like a padded ‘jacket’ and is secured all around with four zips. ...
Leather
Gerard Van Den Berg "The Rock" Lounge Chair
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in San Angelo, TX
The classic and reputable stylish "THE ROCK" chair! This design classic is from Dutch soil. Designed by Gerard van den Berg in the 60s & 70s. Produced by Montis. Definitely a special design due to the unusual shape and high quality leather. Over the years, the leather has acquired a beautiful patina. In this special armchair you can dream away with a good book. A real eye catcher for the interior. These are perfect for lounging and are EXTREMELY comfortable. You do not want to get out of them. *We have 2 more identical camel leather Rock chairs available plus 1 black leather Rock chair...
Leather
Pair of Gerard Van Den Berg High Back Lounge Chairs
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of gerard van den Berg high back cognac leather lounge chairs with dark chocolate leather piping and buttoned on back pillows. Lovely patina to both l...
Leather
1990's Marie-Christine Dorner 'Fantome' desk chair for Montis
By Montis, Marie-Christine Dorner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking 'Fantome' desk chair was designed by Marie-Christine Dorner for esteemed Dutch manufacturer Montis in the early 1990's. This Memphis style chair has black, organic bulbous a...
Chrome
Montis Back Me Up Salon Club Chair Designed by Arian Brekveld IN STOCK
By Montis
Located in New York, NY
Back Me Up Salon The compact club chair With the BACK ME UP Salon, Arian Brekveld puts a contemporary spin on the voluminous club chair. Its whisper...
Fabric
Sold
H 38.5 in W 22.5 in D 23 in
Postmodern Armchair Designed by Gerard Van den Berg for Montis, Holland
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in San Diego, CA
Cool and comfy burgundy leather arm lounge chair, designed by Gerard Van den Berg for Montis Holland circa 1980's solid steel piping frame with foam on ...
Steel
Sold
H 31.5 in W 35.44 in D 38.59 in
Brazilian Lounge Chair by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis, Netherlands, 1970s
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Brazilian lounge chair by the Gerard Van Den Berg. Iconic because of its tropical, organic shapes, mainly formed by the dark wooden tripod. The cognac colored leather has a very nice...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 36.23 in W 29.93 in L 36.23 in
Van Den Berg for Montis, Pair of Armchairs in Brown Leather, `after 1974
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis, sticker. Pair of armchairs in brown leather with a full Stand covered by leather. They were framed by two full arms rising in a head support on bot...
Leather
Montis Enzo Lounge Armchair with Wood Legs
By Montis
Located in New York, NY
Enzo is a comfortable and inviting armchair that is distinguished by its compact dimensions. The streamlined shape and reduced thickness of the external shell create a visual lightne...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 59.06 in D 39.38 in
Midcentury Leather Seating Group 'The Rock' by Gerard van den Berg for Montis
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Munich, DE
Amazing set of Mid-Century Modern leather seating group consisting a two and one-seat 'The Rock'. Designed by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis, 1970s, Netherlands. Original cognac bro...
Leather