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.
Loge Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis Pierre Frey 1980s
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg, La Maison Pierre Frey
Located in London, GB
A rare and strikingly attractive Post-Modern designer armchair and footstool in lovely vintage condition. Designed by Dutch supremo Gerard Van Den Berg and made by high-end manufactu...
Upholstery, Fabric
Postmodern Gerard van den Berg Florence Sofa for Montis, Buck Leather
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gerard van den Berg designed the Florence sofa for Dutch manufacturer Montis during the height of Postmodern experimentation with organic furniture forms. Known alternately as "The R...
Leather, Foam
$3,921
H 36.62 in W 32.29 in D 32.29 in
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
$6,086
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
$6,906
H 45.67 in W 45.28 in D 35.44 in
Rare Wammes Lounge Chair 1974 by Gerard van den Berg for Montis The Netherlands
By Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Wammes Lounge Chair by Gerard van den Berg for Montis Natural Cognac Leather Lounge Chair on a Metal Swivel Base Designed in the early 1970s, the Wammes chair represents the experim...
Leather
Wammes Lounge Chair by Gerard van den Berg for Montis, 1970s
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
The Wammes lounge chair, designed by Gerard van den Berg in the early 1970s and produced by Montis in the Netherlands. The design is defined by its generous cream padded leather upho...
Leather
Customizable Montis Ringo Sofa by GERARD VAN DEN BERG
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in New York, NY
Price listed for starting fabric. Gerard van den Berg describes his design Ringo as ‘cosy and inviting.’ Taking a strikingly minimal shape as his starting point, he designed three ...
Leather, Fabric
$3,611 / item
H 27.1 in W 40.6 in D 42.9 in
Customizable Montis Ringo Lounge Chair by GERARD VAN DEN BERG
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in New York, NY
Gerard van den Berg describes his design Ringo as ‘cosy and inviting.’ Taking a strikingly minimal shape as his starting point, he designed three basic models. Ringo is available as...
Leather, Fabric
$16,791
H 26.78 in W 90.95 in D 35.44 in
Montis Aztec Sectional Sofa & Ottoman by Gerard Van Den Berg in STOCK
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in New York, NY
Fabric: MONZA Aztec sofa sectional consist of the following: (1) 3-Z-AL (1) H-30 R (1) H-CLOSED-90 (1) 1-5-Z-ZA (1) P-60X90 The Aztec is back at last, wi...
Fabric
$8,181
H 46.07 in W 59.85 in D 35.83 in
Montis “The Rock” Sofa In Brown Leather By Gerard Van Den Berg, 1970s
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
A stunning two seater or loveseat by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis. This magnificent sofa is known as "The Rock" or "Florence". It is fabricated in the 70's. The sofa features a brown water-buffalo leather...
Leather
$4,974
H 30.71 in W 61.42 in D 37.8 in
Butterfly Sofa in Leather by Gerard van den Berg for Montis, Netherlands, 1980's
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
The Butterfly sofa, designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis, is known for its distinctive and organic shape that resembles a butterfly’s wings. Launc...
Metal
$6,500
H 46 in W 42 in D 36 in
Gerard Van Den Berg “Wammes” Swivel Lounge Chair for Montis 1970s Dutch Modern
By Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in High Point, NC
A striking 1970s Dutch Modern “Wammes” swivel lounge chair designed by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis. This sculptural chair is upholstered in supple black leather, displaying beauti...
Leather, Wicker
$3,733
H 25.99 in W 79.53 in D 33.86 in
High Back Sofa By Gerard van den Berg for Montis in Cognac Leather, 1980's
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
A stunning 3-seater high back sofa by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis. This magnificent sofa is fabricated in the 80's. It is a timeless piece of furniture that combines luxury and ...
Leather
Set of Leather Sofas by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis, 1970s
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
This leather sofas are designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis. It is upholstered in very thick, natural colored leather and the back- and armrests can be adjusted and angled. three seater and two seater set...
Leather
Ringo Sofa Set by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis, 1970
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fantastic 'Ringo' sofa set designed by Gerard Van Den Berg and manufactured by Montis, Holland 1970. This amazing shaped sofa set was made of a metal structure, foam padded and cover...
Leather
Gerard Van Den Berg Soft Form Leather Sofa and Ottoman
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Well-loved Gerard Van Den Berg leather, soft form sofa with matching ottoman. Retains Original label, in very original condition with visible patina. Set price. Ottoman. Measures: 36...
Leather
"The Rock" Two-Seater Sofa by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two-Seater Sofa in Nearly New Cognac Leather designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis 1970. Amazing Piece of Furniture Design! In Very Good Original Condition. Gerard van den B...
Leather
Sold
H 32 in W 37 in D 38 in
Percifal Lafer Style Tripod Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Gerard van den Berg
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gerard van den Berg Lounge Chair for Montis, 1970-72. Caramel Colored Leather with Great Patina and Heavy Tripod Base Frame. Smart Tension Strap Support System. In the Style of Perci...
Leather, Wood
Gerard Van Den Berg "Denver" Adjustable Back and Arm Sofa
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three-seat Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis Sofa in natural buffalo leather. Arms and back fold all the way into an upright position. Very cool! In good original condition with slight ...
Leather
Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis Plywood Frame Sofa
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finished blocky plywood frame with large natural leather seat cushion. In original condition, the cushion has great patina to the leather, stained in few places. The frame is worn an...
Leather, Upholstery
Gerard van den Berg "Denver" Leather Two-Seater Sofa
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing little love seat in incredibly thick natural buffalo leather by Gerard van den Berg for Montis, 1970. Also available is a matching three-seater sofa (s185 dvr3). Gerard va...
Leather
Gerard van den Berg "Denver" Leather Three-Seater Sofa
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three-seater natural buffalo leather sofa for Montis, 1970s. Extremely thick and strong leather with visible fading of color, nice patina. Also available is a two-seater matching love seat (S185 DVR2). Gerard van den Berg arguably defined a turning point from classic midcentury Dutch furniture...
Leather
Percifal Lafer Style Three-Seat Sofa by Gerard van den Berg
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gerard van den berg for Montis 1970-72, Camel Colored Leather Sofa with Nice Patina and Dark Finished Wenge Wood Frame. Also Available are a 2 Seater Sofa and a Single Tri-pod Lounge...
Leather
Percifal Lafer Style Tripod Lounge Chair by Gerard van den Berg
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gerard van den Berg Lounge Chair for Montis, 1970-72. Camel Colored Leather with Great Patina and Heavy Wenge Tripod Base Frame.