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.
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
Customizable Montis Florence 3 Seater Sofa by GERARD VAN DEN BERG
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in New York, NY
One of Montis’ first success stories is making a comeback. With its lowered back, enhanced comfort and additional capitons, our popular easy chair Florence has been updated to meet t...
Upholstery
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
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
1990s Niels Bendtsen 'Baku' Memphis Style Sofa for Montis, Built-In Table
By Niels Bendtsen, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sofa designed by Niels Bendtsen for Montis embodies the bold spirit of Memphis style design from the 1990s. The 'Baku' model features a black faux leather seat cushion contrasted wit...
Metal
Gerard van den Berg 'Corvette' Sofa in Natural Cognac 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. Another '...
Leather
Montis Domino.18 Modular Sofa by Dick Spierenburg in STOCK
By Dick Spierenburg, Montis
Located in New York, NY
Upholstery: Zaffera 01 & Sahco / Kvadrat Fiorella #0222 Table Colour: oak carbon Execution: 50x75x36 Export carton: Export Feet: 60mm synthetic material plug: USA USB: USB-C We confirm this table * with USB-C * with US-style power socket Domino.18 Experiment with the various elements to create your ideal combination and seating arrangement. Arrange (and rearrange) them in whatever way you like. Play with three different heights and create your own skyline. We’ve expanded our collection with the new round corner modules and connecting elements to reflect on the current organic trend. Dick Spierenburg...
Fabric
Customizable Size & Upholstery Montis Axel Sofa by GIJS PAPAVOINE
By Montis
Located in New York, NY
Price listed for starting leather. This sober design, unrivaled in comfort, has grown to be an icon of our time. Its notable frame, almost entirely hidden from view, creates an open...
Upholstery
$13,800Sale Price|45% Off
Montis Axel XL Sectional Sofa by Gijs Papavoine in STOCK
By Montis, Gijs Papavoine
Located in New York, NY
Monza, Color 00
Leather, Fabric
Set of Two Patinated Leather Sofas by Gerard van den Berg for Montis Netherlands
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Almelo, NL
Patinated Leather Sofa by Gerard van den Berg for Montis, Netherlands, 1970s A striking vintage leather sofa designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis in the Netherlands during th...
Leather, Beech
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
Customizable Montis Aztec Sofa by GERARD VAN DEN BERG
By Montis
Located in New York, NY
Price listed for starting leather but also available in fabric for less. The Aztec is back at last, with a contemporary look. With its rounded, robust and yet soft appearance, the Aztec sofa offers a reassuring feeling of security as it embraces you from all sides. The new and improved interior gives the sofa its signature rounded shape, but the exterior is sleeker than that of its original predecessor. Thanks to the generous height and width of its back and armrests, the Aztec meets all your modular demands. Description Legs in black synthetic provided with rubber foot caps. The Ø 40 cushion...
Upholstery
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
Customizable Montis Florence 2 Seater Sofa by GERARD VAN DEN BERG
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in New York, NY
One of Montis’ first success stories is making a comeback. With its lowered back, enhanced comfort and additional capitons, our popular easy chair Florence has been updated to meet t...
Upholstery
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
Vintage Dutch buffalo leather Rivera sofa by Gijs Papavoine Montis c 1980s / 90s
By Montis, Gijs Papavoine
Located in Hastings, GB
Vintage buffalo leather 'Rivera' sofa by Gijs Papavoine for Montis, Netherlands 1980s/90s. (Papavoine started designing for Montis in 1976) In great condition with nicely patinated t...
Leather, Wood
$6,898 / item
Customizable Montis Axel Sofa by GIJS PAPAVOINE
By Montis
Located in New York, NY
This sober design, unrivaled in comfort, has grown to be an icon of our time. Its notable frame, almost entirely hidden from view, creates an open appearance. The elements come finis...
Upholstery
$5,760 / item
Customizable Montis Daley Sofa by NIELS BENDTSEN
By Montis
Located in New York, NY
The DALEY expands your sense of everyday freedom. Play around with the changing perception of spatial surface by combining deep and shallow elements. The minimalistic silhouette with...
Upholstery
Customizable Montis Aztec Sofa by GERARD VAN DEN BERG
By Montis
Located in New York, NY
The Aztec is back at last, with a contemporary look. With its rounded, robust and yet soft appearance, the Aztec sofa offers a reassuring feeling of security as it embraces you from all sides. The new and improved interior gives the sofa its signature rounded shape, but the exterior is sleeker than that of its original predecessor. Thanks to the generous height and width of its back and armrests, the Aztec meets all your modular demands. Description Legs in black synthetic provided with rubber foot caps. The Ø 40 cushion...
Upholstery
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
Patinated Leather Sofa by Gerard van den Berg for Montis, Netherlands, 1970s
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Almelo, NL
Patinated Leather Sofa by Gerard van den Berg for Montis, Netherlands, 1970s A striking vintage leather sofa designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis in the Netherlands during th...
Leather, Beech
$4,484 / item
Customizable Montis Fox Sofa by GIJS PAPAVOINE
By Gijs Papavoine, Montis
Located in New York, NY
Sofa A fresh and lively modular sofa design. Fox is a sofa concept that relies on strong and simple lines. The concept is based on a group of modular elements that can be combined i...
Upholstery
Customizable Montis Aztec Sofa by GERARD VAN DEN BERG
By Montis
Located in New York, NY
The Aztec is back at last, with a contemporary look. With its rounded, robust and yet soft appearance, the Aztec sofa offers a reassuring feeling of security as it embraces you from all sides. The new and improved interior gives the sofa its signature rounded shape, but the exterior is sleeker than that of its original predecessor. Thanks to the generous height and width of its back and armrests, the Aztec meets all your modular demands. Description Legs in black synthetic provided with rubber foot caps. The Ø 40 cushion...
Upholstery
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 two 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 an...
Leather
$10,411 / 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
$4,650
H 44.5 in W 42 in D 38 in
Mid-Century Gerard van den Berg White Rattan and Leather Swivel Lounge Chair
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gerard van den Berg designed, Mid-Century swivel lounge chair for highly acclaimed Dutch furniture manufacturer Montis. Van den Berg stands as one of Holland's most innovative and pr...
Chrome
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
Yam Modular Sofa
By Sun at Six
Located in San Jose, CA
The Yam is a soft, modular sofa. We started with how we wanted a living room to feel - relaxed, squishy, soft, and cozy - then worked our way towards a piece that manifested those se...
Polyester
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
Girid pattern fabric sofas, France, 1990s, in pairs
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A pair of French fabric sofa from the 1990s, featuring a low-profile design and relaxed, architectural form. The sofas can be reconfigured and laid ...
Cotton
$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
Ringo Leather Lounge Chair by Gerard Van Den Burg
By Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Jacksonville Beach, FL
Mid-century 1970s Ringo leather lounge chairs designed by Gerard Van Den Burg for Montis. Van den Burg was seen as a pioneer in the Netherlands design movement which is highlighted b...
Leather
$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
$5,145
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
$3,000
H 34 in W 27.5 in D 44 in
Pair Curvy Leather Lounge Chairs Style of Gerard Van Den Berg Montis Post-Modern
By Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wildly curvaceous pair of deep seat lounge chairs or club chairs in stitched black leather on discreed crhromed metal feet. These chairs closely r...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 27.17 in W 87.01 in D 34.65 in
Vintage postmodern leather sofa by Gijs Papavoine for Montis, 1980s / 1990s
By Gijs Papavoine, Montis
Located in Hastings, GB
Vintage postmodern cognac leather sofa by Gijs Papavoine for Montis, Holland , 1980s/90s. Great feature legs made from angular bronzed iron. The leather is beautifully thick & soft,...
Iron
Scandinavian Riva Green Leather Sofa by Gijs Papavo for Montis
By Gijs Papavoine, Montis
Located in San Antonio, TX
Vintage leather 3-seat leather sofa designed by Gijs Papavoine for Montis, circa 1990s, Netherlands. 3-seat with metal legs; leather is in a forest green color with nice patina due t...
Leather
Sold
H 31 in W 86 in D 39 in
Mid-Century Cognac "Axel" Leather Sofa Designed by Gijs Papavoine for Montis
By Gijs Papavoine, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Axel" cognac leather sofa by Gijs Papavoine for Montis. Beautiful Mid-Century three seater sofa with attractive patinated leather and chrome sled feet. In original condition with we...
Chrome
Gerard van den Berg Sofa for Montis
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in London, GB
Gerard van den Berg, a prominent Dutch designer, co-founded Montis in 1974 and is renowned for his innovative and unconventional furniture designs. His creations often feature organi...
Leather
Montis Axel 2-Seater Black Leather Sofa
By Montis
Located in Basildon, London
The Montis Axel 2-Seater Black Leather Sofa is a sleek and stylish addition to any home. Montis is known for its contemporary and high-quality furniture, a...
Leather, Wood
Gerard van den Berg Natural Leather High Back Sofa for Montis
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
High back natural leather sofa by Gerard van Den Berg for Montis. Beautifully worn leather with 3 matching back pillows that fasten to g...
Leather
Sold
H 28 in W 85 in D 40.5 in
Gerard van den Berg 'Ringo' Three Seater Dark Brown Leather Sofa for Montis
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century 'Ringo' three seater sofa designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis. Soft form sofa with heavy dark brown leather. Manufactured by Montis and designed in 1979 by renowne...
Leather
Gerard Van Den Berg 'Ringo' Loveseat for Montis
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century 'Ringo' loveseat designed by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis. Soft form sofa with thick, luxurious leather. Manufactured by Montis and designed by the company's co-founder...
Leather
Gerard van den Berg 'Oslo' Sofa for Montis
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Mid-Century, 'Oslo' sofa was designed by innovative and prolific Dutch designer Gerard van den Berg for the Montis company, the iconic furniture manufacturer of which Van den Be...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 28 in W 87.5 in D 40.25 in
Gerard Van Den Berg 'Ringo' Three Seater Sofa for Montis in Rich Brown Leather
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century 'Ringo' three seater sofa designed by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis. Soft form sofa with thick leather. Manufactured by Montis and designed by co-founder Gerard van den ...
Leather
1980's Cognac Leather "Aztec" Sofa By Gerard Van Den Berg For Montis
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome 1980's "Aztec" cognac leather sofa by visionary Dutch designer Gerard van den Berg for his Montis label. Comfy soft structure leather sofa in original condition with age app...
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