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.
Gerard van den Berg Natural Leather High Back Loveseat with Tufting
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very unusual Gerard van den Berg natural leather high back loveseat with light tufting details throughout the piece creating a subtle pattern. The expression of this piece is in it's...
Leather
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
Gerard van den Berg 'Corvette' Sofa in Natural Cognac Leather
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gerard van den Berg 'Corvette' sofa in cognac leather with short tapered wood legs. In original condition with some visible wear and scratching consistent with age and use. Another '...
Leather
1970s Montis Chrome Black Leather Wegner Style Loveseat Sofa
By Montis
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, leather and chrome loveseat you could hope to find. In the style of Hans Wegner. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. T...
Chrome
Gerard van den Berg Tall Back Light Brown Leather and Rattan Loveseat for Montis
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful loveseat with buck leather seating and hanging headrest pillows on a rattan frame designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis. The leather has beautiful patina. In original ...
Leather, Rattan
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
H 32 in W 60 in D 36 in
Mid century modern beautiful Black leather 2 seat loveseat sofa with walnut legs
By Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century modern beautiful Black leather 2 seat loveseat sofa with walnut legs. Beautiful Black leather that shows little signs of use but broken in nicely. Great small deep leathe...
Leather, Walnut
$3,470
H 29.53 in W 61.03 in D 37.41 in
Ligne Roset Marsala Sofa in Black Leather by Michel Ducaroy, France, the 1970s
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in Almelo, NL
Ligne Roset Marsala sofa in black leather by Michel Ducaroy, the 1970s. Good-looking black leather Marsala two-seater sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne...
Leather, Plexiglass
$10,387 / set
H 39.38 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
6 vintage Chaplin dining chair in cognac leather by Gerard van den Berg - Montis
By Montis
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Exceptional set of 6 Chaplin dining armchairs. Stunning patinated, thick leather. Hard to find in this color. Designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis, the Netherlands (1983) Th...
Leather
1970s Gerard van den Berg “Ringo” Cognac Leather Loveseat
By Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful leather “Ringo” loveseat designed by Gerard van den Berg, Netherlands, 1970s. Upholstered in its original cognac leather, the loveseat has aged gracefully with natural pa...
Leather
$1,650Sale Price|25% Off
H 30 in W 63 in D 31 in
Mid Century Scandinavian Danish Modern Black Leather sofa Loveseat
By Skipper Mobler
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Scandinavian Danish Modern Black Leather sofa Loveseat by Skipper Mobler. Stunning design and shape 2 seat sofa with 2 additional arm cushions that sits on 4 large round ...
Leather
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 75 in D 35 in
Dutch Modern Cognac Leather loveseat sofa by Gerard Van Den Berg
By Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dutch Modern Cognac leather loveseat sofa. Chrome flat bar legs. Made by label van den berg and designed by Gerard Van Den Berg. Made circa 2000s. Pre owned with signs of use and pat...
Chrome
$4,373
H 35.83 in W 31.5 in D 40.16 in
MCM Swivel Lounge Chair Caramel Leather 1970 Delantra Gerard Van Den Berg Montis
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in London, GB
A very rare, distinctive, and strikingly attractive Mid-Century designer caramel-tan leather swivel lounge chair. Designed by Dutch design supremo Gerard Van Den Berg and produced by...
Steel
$3,270
H 31.5 in W 55.5 in D 32.5 in
Danish Brown Leather Loveseat Sofa by Stouby, Hand-Crafted, 1970s
By Børge Mogensen, Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik
Located in Round Top, TX
Brown Leather Loveseat Sofa by Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik in milk chocolate with blonde wood square profile legs. An iconic design in great vintage condition. Edges are starting to g...
Leather, Wood
Mid Century Leather Sofa By Mogen Hansen Denmark 1970s
By Mogens Hansen
Located in Hudson, NY
Luxurious leather sofa by Mogens Hansen, model #535. This sofa features gently curved track arms with soft, refined silhouettes. It's finished in supple leather with a soft, sun warm...
Wood, Leather
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 59.5 in D 32 in
Leather Box Style Loveseat Sofa by Charles Pfister for Knoll
By Knoll, Charles Pfister
Located in New York, NY
Chic, sophisticated, and voguish loveseat sofa, designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll. This example was executed in grayish blue leather, it is in good, original condition, showing l...
Leather
1970s Leolux Loveseat with Oak Frame and Brick Toned Natural Leather
By Leolux
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic Leolux solid oak framed loveseat with natural brick leather on canvas sling support. Beautiful light oak tone with attractive grain and light patina. Leather cushion arm rest...
Leather, Oak
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
Gerard Van Den Berg High Back Leather Loveseat
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A distinctive Dutch design by Gerard van den Berg for Montis, this high-back leather loveseat combines rugged elegance with comfort. Upholstered in beautifully aged natural leather, ...
Leather
Sold
H 34.625 in W 56 in D 37.5 in
Percival Lafer Style Leather Loveseat Sofa by Gerard van den Berg for Montis
By Percival Lafer, Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century leather sofa designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis. Dark stained oak frame with tripod legs supports the leather bucket seat cushion and headrest. In original condit...
Leather, Wood
Gerard van den Berg "The Rock" Loveseat Sofa for Montis
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"The Rock" two seater leather sofa by Gerard van den Berg for Montis. Gerard van den Berg apprenticed with a painter at a young age, where he honed and expanded his creative abilitie...
Leather
Montis Axel Light Blue Leather Sofa by Gijs Papavoine in Stock
By Gijs Papavoine, Montis
Located in New York, NY
Upholstered: Sorensen Leather Flux light blue. Firecode: California 117 Frame: Sled stainless steel Model: 200 Number/type: Axel XL 200-B Execution: 2 Arms, wide Arm, deep seating T...
Leather
Sold
H 36.5 in W 80.5 in D 32 in
Gerard van den Berg Sofa High Back Sofa for Montis in Cognac & Chocolate Leather
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
High back cognac leather sofa by Gerard van Den Berg for Montis. Cognac leather with 3 dark chocolate leather buttoned on back pillows and matching chocola...
Leather
Gerard van den Berg for Montis Cognac Leather Loveseat
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cognac leather loveseat designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis. In original condition with visible wear, including heavy patina on leather ...
Leather
Gerard van den Berg "Rock" Two Seater Sofa for Montis
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"The Rock" two seater leather sofa by Gerard van den Berg for Montis. Burnt orange leather with a heavy patina and visible wear, consistent with its age and use. A few other 'Rock' s...
Leather
"The Rock" Two Seater Sofa by Gerard van den Berg for Montis
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Caramel leather two-seater "Rock" sofa designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis 1970. In original condition with some visible wear to leather on seat and seat back. Tear in seat (r...
Leather
Gerard Van Den Berg 'Corvette' Sofa in Natural Leather
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gerard van den Berg 'Corvette' sofa in cognac leather with short tapered wood legs. In original condition with some visible wear and scratching consistent with age and use.
Leather, Foam, Wood
Gerard Van Den Berg High Back Leather Loveseat
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dark leather high back loveseat by Gerard Van Den Berg with heavy patina. Loveseat has 2 small back pillows with braided leather button attachments....
Leather
1980s Gerard Van Den Berg 'Corvette' Sofa in Bordeaux Leather
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Gerard van den Berg 'Corvette' sofa in bordeaux leather with short stubby wood legs. In original condition with visible wear and scratching consistent with age and use. A...
Leather, Foam, Wood
Montis Rock Sofa by Gerard van den Berg Holland, 1970
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fantastic well known sofa from the Rock series, also called the Florence. Designed by Gerard Van Den Berg and manufactured by Montis, Holland 1970. This example comes in very nice na...
Leather